W/Cup 2007 right on track

FEARS in some quarters of the Caribbean that the Cricket World Cup could be switched to South Africa or that some matches could be moved from the original venues have been put to bed by a senior official of the International Cricket Council (ICC). In recent weeks it was learnt that most of the countries chosen to host matches in the CWC were behind with their preparations. The ICC’s team of assessors will be in the region in March for checks on readiness, and word spread that if venues were not ready they would be blanked. However, in an interview from Dubai, the ICC’s media manager, Brian Murgatroyd, said that this was not exactly the case. “I am unaware of any assessment in March that may dictate the venues will be changed. This is simply incorrect,” Murgatroyd said.

“The bottom line is that we are continually monitoring the progress made on the development of venues for the CWC and at this stage we are satisfied with the progress shown.” Last week officials in Barbados noted that the Kensington Oval project was running behind schedule. The board of World Cup Barbados Inc. expressed fear that the project might not meet its December 2006 deadline and said there was a need for more than 60 specialists from India to work mainly on the Challenor Stand. The $90 million project is being overseen by Larsen & Toubro, India’s largest construction firm.

Last weekend the Associated Press reported that Guyanese authorities were concerned that the South American country might not be able to meet its room stock. During the last week, reports from Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica suggested that both countries were behind on their work, but officials vowed to reach the timelines. Recently Antigua was assured by the People’s Republic of China that the new Sir Vivian Richards Stadium would be ready on time. China is funding the stadium’s construction to the tune of US$20 million (BDS$40 million). In a Caribbean Media Corporation report, China’s Minister of Construction, Wang Guangtao, said that it was important to the Chinese government that construction of the stadium be completed on time and, most importantly, that the World Cup games be successful.

The Chinese government is also funding the project at the new Queen’s Park Stadium in Grenada, which was redesigned following Hurricane Ivan in September, 2004. Taiwan is financing the project at the New Warner Park in St Kitts, which will be completed in time to stage the country’s first Test match, West Indies vs India, next June. The Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia was well developed from the start and will require only minor upgrades for the World Cup, which runs from March 12 to April 28, 2007.