USA want W/Cup 2007 match at Disney

JOHANNESBURG: America is bidding to host several matches at the 2007 World Cup and Disney World could even be used as a venue. The West Indies will host the tournament in four years’ time and the proximity of the USA makes it an attractive option to host some matches.

Florida is thought to be the likeliest option because of its weather, large Caribbean community and novelty value. A number of American cities, including Orlando, have officially approached World Cup organisers offering to stage games. Roger Braithwaite, chief executive of West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), admitted it remained a realistic prospect but said nothing had been decided yet. “No venues have been allocated at this stage,” he said. “That process is still to be decided upon.” Chris Dehring, managing director of the 2007 World Cup, said the idea of playing part of the tournament in America remained a “distinct possibility”.  But he told the BBC Sport website: “We have had expressions of interest from several cities in the US as to whether they can be a part of the World Cup. “While this remains a possibility, at the moment it is not highly probable.” If America gets the go ahead, Disney World, the huge entertainment complex in Orlando, could be chosen as one of the venues.

But the proposals are said to have upset some of the Caribbean islands, which are worried attention could be deflected away from them in 2007. “The tournament organisers are going to invite bids from countries and islands which want to host matches in 2007 and, yes, America is in with a shout for some of those games,” International Cricket Council (ICC) spokesman Mark Harrison told The Observer newspaper. “The idea of games in America is very intriguing, but it’s also a legitimate prospect, because the West Indies are quite close to America and there’s a big population in America that’s interested in cricket.” The USA are ranked 16th of the ICC’s 84 member countries. They failed to qualify for the current World Cup after finishing fifth in the ICC Trophy qualifying tournament behind Holland, Canada, Namibia and Scotland.