Sir Viv named King’s Sustainability Ambassador

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Cricket icon Sir Vivian Richards has been appointed a global ambassador for the King’s Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), as King Charles III and Queen Camilla joined celebrations marking the 45th anniversary of Antigua and Barbuda’s independence.

The former West Indies captain accepted the invitation to serve as an ambassador for the King’s SMI programme, describing the appointment as both an honour and a privilege.

“I can’t tell you what an immense privilege it is to be asked, and I have gladly accepted. I am delighted to help my country, and these islands, raise the profile in any way I can.”

Sir Viv was among four knighted West Indies cricket greats who met the King and Queen during the independence celebrations at the stadium that bears his name. The others were Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Curtly Ambrose.

King Charles is in Antigua and Barbuda to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Tuesday. The gathering has attracted attention amid ongoing discussions surrounding a slavery apology and the issue of reparations from Britain.

The Sustainable Markets Initiative was founded in 2020 by Charles while he was Prince of Wales and aims to help accelerate the global transition to a more sustainable future.

The initiative is involved in several events during CHOGM, including the Commonwealth Business Forum, where the King is expected to meet participants at the Commonwealth Leaders and CEOs Summit.