ST JOHN'S, Antigua: The Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium will be ready for handover by the Chinese to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda on Saturday January 13, 2007.

This assurance came from the man charged with overseeing the completion of the Stadium, Chairman of the Inter Governmental Working Group, Ambassador David Shoul.  He said that all systems are on target for this date which will include a grand ceremony at the site.

Shoul noted that he is very pleased with the report received from the recent visit by members of the ICC CWC 2007 Venue Tour Committee, although there are a number of concerns that were expressed by the ICC.  "We are confident that the concerns the ICC has about certain sections of our preparation would be ironed out before their next tour in a few weeks time.  We have a dedicated team of individuals who are involved in the preparations along with a number of other individuals who are prepared to lend assistance if the need should arise," he said.

The Chairman of the IGWG also outlined that a full inspection of the route for the placement of new street lights leading to the stadium was conducted last week and work by the Chinese contractors will commence in a few weeks time in conjunction with the Antigua Public Utilities Authority.  "The route to the Stadium from the V.C. Bird International Airport was inspected and it was decided that street lights will be placed on the right side of the road, with a separation difference of forty metres (132 feet) for each post.  These lights are another gift from our Chinese counterparts," Shoul stated.

"All of Antigua and Barbuda and indeed the world will be very proud of the finished product which is already distinguished by having the name of our National Hero Sir Vivian Richards.  I am confident that we will have a top class facility which the government will hand over to the ICC on February 23," Shoul concluded.

A few weeks ago Ambassador Shoul, along with Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and members of the Local Organising Committee, toured the new stadium and witnessed the testing of the scoreboards and lights at the multi-million dollar facility.