Caribbean Net News

Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Officials gather in St. Lucia for summit on 2007 World Cup

Saturday, September 27, 2003

CASTRIES, St. Lucia: Who will host the 2007 cricket World Cup? The process towards that decision is currently being discussed in St. Lucia, where about 170 delegates from 13 countries, are attending the two-day venue summit.

The Caribbean Development Bank, also represented at the meeting, has agreed to provide every host country with the financing required to improve their facilities before the event, AP quoted Mr. Rawle Brancker, chairman of the ICC's Cricket World Cup Committee, as saying.

The West Indies, which won the first two World Cups in England in 1975 and 1979, will be hosting the tournament for the first time.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of hosting some of the World Cup Cricket matches in 2007, the government of Grenada has announced plans to redesign the players' pavilion at the National Stadium, as well as add corporate boxes and a double-decker stand to one of the existing bleachers.

Governor General Sir Daniel Williams, made the announcement in the presentation of the Throne Speech at the ceremonial State opening of the seventh session of the Sixth Parliament.

Governor Williams also announced that a National Aquatic Centre will be constructed at Beausejour, St. George's in 2004, which will feature a 50-metre swimming pool and a 25-metre warm down pool, as well as a change room, office facilities and seating for 2,000 spectators. The National Aquatic Centre will be financed by the National Lottery Authority and the Canadian Bank Note Incorporated, said Sir Daniel.

Completion of rural sporting facilities are also expected next year, including the La Sagesse Playing Field in St. David's, Cuthbert Peters Park in St. John's, Progress Park in St. Andrew's and the Chantimelle Playing Field in St. Patrick's.

"In most of these areas, mini pavilions and bleachers would be constructed to enhance spectatorship at events," the Governor General told members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. At least one playing field in each constituency will also be equipped with lighting in order to facilitate evening activities.

And Indian officials have promised to help Guyana build a world-class stadium and host matches for the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

The announcement comes weeks after President Bharat Jagdeo visited India and just days after new Indian High Commissioner Mr. Avinash Gupta, took up residency in Guyana.

Mr. Gupta, according to the Stabroek News, revealed that the idea of an Indian-financed stadium came to him when he visited the Bourda Ground in early August of this year. Since then, his proposal has been very favourably received in Delhi and his government is currently awaiting concrete proposals from their Guyanese counterparts on construction and financing, he told the paper, adding that he is hopeful that Georgetown will be a worthy and popular venue in 2007.

Previous Page Print This Page.