Following are seven reasons why Guyana should bid to stage not only matches of the 2007 World Cup competition but possibly the semi-finals and finals as well.
1. It will help the country to unite especially at a time when the country is beset by incidents of crimes of various natures, electricity shortages (blackouts) and water shortages.
Planning for, supporting and participating in the event, can also help ease racial tensions as the country unites to successfully stage matches whilst at the same time rallying solidly behind the regional team.
2. It will help to raise the image of the sport which at the moment is low. There has been suggestions that the level of the first-class competitions has deteriorated. Certainly the regional team is not enjoying the best of results. Our failure to advance to the Super Sixes at the last World Cup still hurts. Planning for and staging an event of such magnitude will once again raise the image of the sport.
3. It will help to raise the standard of the region's first class system. One criticism of cricket in the West Indies is that money, or should that be enough money, is not put back into the sport. The WICB is too dependent on sponsors to support their first-class competitions. The surplus revenue generated from a successful World Cup staging. can allow for more money to be channelled into the sport in Guyana and the region to help provide a better first-class system of proper grounds, cricket gear (equipment) and better payment for our cricketers.
4. It will help to improve government's knowledge of what is being accomplished and what development programmes are taking place so as to help them play a more active role at all levels in the promotion and development of our national sport.
5. It will help to contribute in a meaningful way towards the enhancement of the country's image abroad especially since the matches will be watched by millions of viewers all over the world.
6. It will help to spread the game to all areas of the country and hopefully this could result in some of our indigenous brothers one day making the national team which will make the team more reflective of the country's make-up.
7. It will help to create the right environment for the players to best display their skills and for the spectators to enjoy and appreciate those skills as the country attempts to further enhance the game of cricket as an outstanding spectator and television sport.