According to Mc Lean, “Providence was taken as the first and only choice.” He added that other options had been considered including the merger between the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and the Georgetown Football Club (GFC).

Mc Lean noted that the current facilities at that site are woefully inadequate by ICC World Cup Cricket standards.

In addition, the venue would have had to be extended to incorporate some properties and roads in the immediate vicinity. The chairman also cited parking and security concerns as the other main considerations which negated the possibility of the stadium being built at that location.

Mc Lean disclosed that President Bharrat Jagdeo had been briefed prior to his state visit to India recently about Guyana’s plans for Cricket World Cup 2007.

According to him, the president was entreated to request help from the Indian government which had had experience hosting a Cricket World Cup (twice). Mc lean indicated that the Guyana government has pledged its fullest support to the venture which has been termed “Project Guyana.”

The chairman will be leading a three-man team next week to St Lucia where they will be addressed by ICC World Cup boss Chris Dehring and recently appointed Venue Development Officer, Don Lockerbie. The other members of the team are Chetram Singh president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Vic Insanally of Guyenterprise Advertising Agency.

At the briefing it was also revealed that the stadium to be built will cater for 20,000 persons with 5000 of those seats being temporary.

According to the chairman (Mc Lean) Guyana has to be ready because the bidding process will be very competitive as at least 8-10 venues/countries may be in the `running’ to host matches including Florida in the U.S.A. It was revealed that for Guyana to be seriously considered the requisite facilities and infrastructure will have to be put in place.

Vic Insanally another member of the committee indicated that the major political opposition, the Peoples National Congress/Reform (PNCR/R) through its representative Lance Carberry had been apprised of the government’s plans. He added that it was necessary that the message to the public should be that “Project Guyana” is a national effort which must be embraced by all Guyanese here and abroad.

Terry Holder another member of the World Cup Committee stated that we cannot afford not to afford to host World Cup matches in Guyana since it would be a wasted opportunity to promote this country worldwide.

The committee has drafted a concept paper which sets out this country’s proposals for World Cup 2007.

The document discusses the history of cricket in Guyana, sets out the objectives of the `committee’ as well as challenges facing the country for an event of this magnitude.

Other areas addressed are finance and fund-raising, public relations, accommodation, tourism and attractions, the environment, the media, roadways and transportation.

Responding to questions about the acquisition of the land and airport and other facilities, Mc Lean said that 25 acres of government-owned lease land had already been secured with more to be acquired as the need arises. In addition, the Ogle Airstrip which will soon be expanded, will be a major factor in transporting visitors during and after the event.

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timehri, has also been earmarked for major improvements especially the arrival area and the existing parking facilities, to cater for increased traffic.

Further new access roads will be built to ease traffic congestion to and from the venue with the `secondary’ road from Timehri to Georgetown given priority as well as the Mandela Avenue `link’ to the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

A “World Cup Cricket Village” is proposed which will see between 4-500 houses built for accommodating close to 3000 persons for about a week.

Guyana’s tourism drive will be given a tremendous boost with visitors coming from all over the world during the event, which, according to the committee, may be the springboard from which Guyana can truly achieve its much-touted ‘potential’.