Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo. AFP PHOTO

The president’s inspection of the stadium was to ensure that the facility is ready for its inauguration and handing over by the Indian government to the Guyana government. The ceremony for the handing-over event is planned for next month. However, the President was informed that practice matches are already being played at the site.
 
“I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen so far. I know a lot of hard work has gone into this facility by many people but we need to constantly keep track of the deadline because, as you know, we have the rainy season coming up….but I think that all the deadlines would be met and we’ll meet our commitments to the ICC,” Jagdeo reiterated.
 
The President was informed that the remaining task of installing the stadium’s seats will be done shortly as he toured the site and discussed the plans and location at the facility for the inauguration ceremony with other officials.
 
Regarding the extension of the four-lane highway from the Harbour Bridge to the stadium, Jagdeo said, “That road project was slated to be completed sometime towards the end of the year, but we had slippage with the award of the contract, so I suspect it will go early into the New Year.”
 
He pointed out however, that this delay would not impede the stadium’s progress as the road extension project was not a requirement of the ICC but an additional project implemented by Government to allow for easier traffic-flow ingress and egress to the stadium.
 
“So, I anticipate sometime in the New Year that that project would be completed and therefore, we’d have an integrated operation here,” Jagdeo added.
 
The president’s inspection of the stadium preceded his tour of the Buddy’s International Hotel construction site where he was told that work is at an advanced stage and that the hotel should be completed by the end of the year.
 
Jagdeo was also shown two regular furnished rooms during the tour of the site. He commented on the good quality of the rooms’ furnishings.
 
The large hotel is being constructed near the stadium as one of the projects to cater for the accommodation of thousands of visitors expected in Guyana for CWC 2007, with 145 days left before the matches begin at the stadium.