Bacher impressed with St Lucian W/Cup preparation

"What has come across strongly is the unbelievable passion," the top South African cricket official said during a news conference on Wednesday at the office of Cricket World Cup St Lucia Inc. "Everybody I’ve met is so determined and focused towards making this an extraordinary event for your country, for the Caribbean and world cricket."

Dr Bacher, former South African Test captain and administrator, said that despite the obstacles that would be presented, he was confident St Lucia would overcome them and put together an extraordinary event.

"St Lucia is doing very well at this point in time with a well organised office and staff," Dr Bacher pointed out.

"There were only two of us two years before the 2003 World Cup. Two years before the World Cup you have a proper infrastructure, a proper team — you’re running."

He told the St Lucian media personnel that benefits from staging World Cup matches in St Lucia would be long-term.

"Many legacy projects will be undertaken," he suggested. "The roads will be improved, enlarged and modified. That’s got to be very good for long-term tourism for this country." He said he was confident that the company with the rights to broadcast the cricket would also come to St Lucia to film aspects of the island’s beauty.

"For about 21 minutes — three minutes per day over seven days — the world television audience will see the beauty and splendour of St Lucia," Dr Bacher noted.

Comparing the challenges of the Caribbean hosting the World Cup to that of South Africa in 2003, Dr Bacher said it would be more difficult staging matches in eight countries as compared to three, when matches were played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya during the 2003 edition.

"It was difficult organising in three countries," Dr Bacher explained. "You have eight countries so that will make it more difficult, but its not insurmountable. If your heart is there and your passion is there you’ll overcome these difficulties."

Dr Bacher identified aspects like security and ambush marketing as crucial elements that needed attention for the staging of a successful World Cup.

Dr Bacher left St Lucia Wednesday evening after a three-day visit organised by St Lucia’s Local Organising Committee Cricket World Cup St Lucia Inc as part of its programme of preparation to host matches in the 2007 World Cup. While in St Lucia, Dr Bacher met with members of the business sector, the hotel and tourism sector, government officials and the Board of Directors and staff of Cricket World Cup St Lucia Inc.