Officials Promise Best World Cup Ever
By Orin Davidson
Officials are promising the best World Cup ever when the West Indies
hosts cricket’s biggest cricket competition next year.
Led by an effervescent Chris Dehring and a pumped up Wes Hall, New
Yorkers were given a compelling presentation on the event’s
grand plans when the organizing committee invaded the Big Apple
on the first stop of a promotional tour.
Dehring, Cricket World Cup committee’s Chief Executive Officer
said the beauty of the islands and Guyana, the culture and brand
new facilities will make the event an extravaganza unheard of in
enjoyment and quality of play from March 11 to April 27.
He pointed out it will be a tremendous challenge to top South Africa
hosting of the last World Cup in 2003, but he is confident West
Indians have the energy and willpower to make 2007 the best ever.
“South Africa took the World Cup to a different level by transforming
it into a genuine global extravaganza,” he said comparing
the 2003 event with the Olympics and World Cup soccer.
“We have been mandated to go even better and as a result the
territories are bonding together like never before in taking on
this challenge to live up to all expectations,” stated the
CEO. “ The 1999 World Cup in England was just another cricket
competition but South Africa made it into a huge sports event with
a spectacular opening ceremony never done before. And it is now
our turn to make it even better,” Dehring explained.
Added Hall “I have been to all the World Cups and after the
games are finished, there is nothing to do, but we will have activities
from 6 pm until 6am if you like, in all of the territories.
The former West Indies fast bowler said the money spent in the night
host countries will justify a long lasting legacy for the Region.
“This will be a World Cup to remember, moreso by the foreign
people who think we are only capable of playing cricket, drinking
rum and singing calypso.”
Aided by the use of pictorial demonstration, Dehring updated the
audience comprising a few journalists, more special invitees and
business partners, on the construction of the eight new stadia and
the others completed and refurbished.
He made special reference to the facilities being built in Grenada
now boasting a new look after being destroyed by hurricane two years
ago and in Guyana which is considered the most economically challenged
of the nine host nations.
“Guyana has made a special effort to show everyone what they
are capable of despite their problems and have been ahead of all
others in stadium construction,” stated the Jamaica-born Dehring.
Of special gratification to the CEO has been the cooperation of
the 14 territorial governments. He referred to the soccer’s
world ruling body FIFA which found it so challenged, they promised
never to stage another World Cup in two countries.
But Dehring boasts his company is dealing with nine countries who
have all responded splendidly to the challenge.
He pointed out that the Single Domestic Space agreement which amounts
to laws being amended to accommodate World Cup requirements and
easy movement of the thousands of expected visiting fans, is unprecedented
in world sports.
The Sunset Legislation which highlights playing conditions, have
already been passed in Barbados and St Kitts.
Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, Grenada, Antigua
and St Vincent are the other host countries.
So far the CWC committee has more than 200 permanent employees,
but according to Dehring , in reality there are about 3000 in total
when you taken into account all the stadia construction workers.
“Never before would you find the Chinese and Taiwanese working
on the same project, the World Cup is bringing everyone together,”
he reminded.
Orin
Davidson Column Homepage
