DIEGO MARTIN, Trinidad: Eddy Grant, Guyanese superstar and music legend is set to thrill cricket fans in South Africa and around the globe later this month when he headlines entertainment for the two semi-final and final matches of the Indian Premier League (DFL IPL) Cricket Tournament set for May 22-24 in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Superstar Eddy Grant (photo courtesy Atomic Pics)

In a statement expressing his delight, Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner of the DLF IPL said “the DLF IPL is thrilled that Eddy Grant has agreed to perform at the tournament’s semi-finals and finals. The final stages of the 2009 tournament are set to be truly spectacular with not only close cricket contests, but excitement and entertainment of the highest order”.

“We’re certain that the crowds packing the stadiums will give Eddy the warmest welcome. And as his recent tour to South Africa showed, Eddy has a tremendous following in the country that goes back many years to the role played by his iconic hit 'Joanna' in providing a cultural banner for many in the anti-apartheid struggle. Of course, we’re also confident that as a cricket fan, Eddy will enjoy his visits to the game as much as we’ll enjoy his performances,” he added.

Enjoying a brief respite at his Ringbang Island home on the Essequibo River, Grant, Guyana’s famous and world-renowned son declared: “It is with the greatest of excitement and honour that I have accepted this opportunity to play and present my music at the IPL Semi-Finals and Final being held in South Africa. While this year's event is not being held in India due to security considerations, I think that South Africa will acquit itself very well as host of this very visionary event”.

Grant who kicked off his Reparation World Tour last June with a show stopping performance at Nelson Mandela’s 90th. Birthday Party at Hyde Park, London, recently returned from South Africa where he played to packed audiences in Sun City, Durban, Port Elisabeth and Cape Town.

Said Grant: “My relationship with South Africa goes quite a long way back. Now, together with my Frontline Orchestra comprised of musicians who hail from various parts of that great country, it is my hope that through this extension to the classic game of cricket, many bonds will be created between cricket fans and those arriving at the game at this time and format.”

"Whichever team 'wins', hopefully cricket will be the ultimate 'winner' and the world, by virtue of today's technology, will be supremely entertained at a time when it seems that we most need to be,” Grant ended.