Hosting World Cup

AT THE level of popular, grass-roots feeling, the strongest unifying force in the life of the West Indies is undoubtedly the game of cricket. The fact that we have won the bid to host the World Cup in 2007 and have begun to prepare for this special event should present a unique opportunity for our region to demonstrate to the world how cricket has kept us together and why such a group of small island-states could have produced such great talents in the game. At the same time, we have undertaken a tremendous assignment in seeking to stage the next World Cup which, because of our particular geography, will require prodigies of planning, preparation and co-operation not only among the venue States but with their particular governments as well.

Hosting the World Cup in which 12 or more national teams will be participating in a tournament that requires just as many venues is certainly not the same as entertaining a Test side on tour with its accompanying ODI series. For one thing, it calls for organisational facilities far in excess of Test requirements. Then there is the matter of accommodating the teams and the hundreds of supporters each will be bringing with them. And, perhaps the most difficult of all, we will have to solve the logistical problem of shuttling the players and their supporters among the many different venues in the region. Hopefully by then, the airline industry serving the region would have fully recovered from their present financial woes and would be able to facilitate this heavy volume of traffic.

Clearly, the region as a whole stands to benefit tremendously from a successful hosting of the World Cup. Apart from the large influx of cricket lovers from across the globe, an international audience of many millions will be watching the games on television with the West Indies Cricket Board receiving a share of the proceeds. Managing Director of Windies World Cup 2007 Inc, Chris Dehring, estimates for example that the economic windfall which Jamaica could derive from the sale of tickets, sponsorship, broadcast rights and tourism could amount to US $500 million. For over several weeks, the WI, including tourism oriented islands such as Grenada, Antigua, St Vincent and St Lucia, will be the focus of world wide attention and, apart from direct revenues, these small States are certain to benefit from the World Cup exposure.

Because so much is at stake, it is essential for governments of the region to get involved in the staging of this prestigious tournament. As far as Trinidad and Tobago is concerned, our Queen's Park Oval must rate as one of the prominent World Cup venues, not only for its tradition but also because TT cricket fans have always been among the most supportive of touring tournaments. QPCC president Willie Rodriguez has explained to Newsday that our famous ground would need a number of additional facilities for which plans are already in train. For example, it would need accreditation centres where passes identifying participants at various levels would be issued. Then there is the question of providing adequate security through the setting up of a Venue Operating Centre which would be monitoring every section of the Oval through a battery of 14 strategically placed TV cameras.

This centre would be able to detect disturbances which may arise anywhere at the Oval and immediately alert the mobile security force to handle them. A bigger Press Box has to be provided and at least 24 suites for sponsors. Prime Minister Patrick Manning has already committed his government to assisting the QPCC and WICB in hosting our share of World Cup matches. This assurance should ensure the success of our part in World Cup 2007. Let us hope the same could be said for other States in the region.