“MY Government will continue to work aggressively in the commitments we’ve made. If we fail, and failure is not an option, we will be failing the nation. We have to get down to work to ensure we deliver on our commitments,” said President Bharrat Jagdeo after formally receiving the World Cup 2007 Bid Book at a ceremony held at the Umana Yana last evening.
National Under-19 cricket captain Assad Fudadin presented the book to the president who also noted that he is confident that all challenges will be overcome at all levels providing there is motivation and involvement by everyone.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport and now acting Prime Minister Gail Teixeira gave an overview on the preparations ahead of the biggest event Guyana and the Caribbean, as a whole, will be undertaking.
She said that the idea of bidding for the World Cup was not formulated in 2002; rather it began in November of 1998 with the plan to merge the GCC and GFC grounds. She said this was done without the knowledge of the specifications stipulated within the Bid Book and as such in 2003, the Government, after searching and more clarity on the specifications turned to some 60 acres of land that had been under sugar cane cultivation at Providence.
The site being considered, surveyed and approved for the building of a stadium was handed over by GUYSUCO who had claim to it, to the Government of Guyana.
Discussions were held with the Indian Government in which they pledged to support the building of a stadium and a team of experts earlier this month presented an impression of the stadium to the government.
The stadium should hold between 15 000 and 20 000 spectators and will have facilities to accommodate offices, conference halls, restaurants, and a cinema, among others.
Minister Teixeira said that Cabinet has approved some $71 million dollars for the preparation of the land, which will begin in April, following which will be the preparation of the construction of the stadium in May.
During the period May-June 2004, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will be sending a Verification team to the Caribbean, following which on July 6, they will decide which nations will host matches.
The acting Prime Minister also added that a World Cup Committee has been set up which includes two government ministers in Anthony Xavier and Manzoor Nadir as well as Navin Chandarpal, presidential adviser on science and technology and environment affairs.
Also included are Ronald Austin and Faith Harding of the PNC/Reform and Majeed Hussein and Harrinarine Tiwari of the PPP/C as well as representatives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Private Sector.
In addition, Phillip Allsopp has been appointed Bid Preparation Officer by the government and will be responsible for submitting the bid on May 6, 2004, while a Bid Office has been set up at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue.
The Bid Book contains 690 questions in 23 deliveries which will have to be answered by President Jagdeo based on security measures, policy decisions and where necessary new legislation.
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), realising the significance of the bidding, has demanded that all Heads of State must be committed to sign the book so they do not go back on their word.
President of the GCB Chetram Singh said that some 12 countries have submitted bids to host the 2007 events and the WICB is hoping that at least eight Caribbean nations come forward to offer venues, failing which the event will go to another nation.
He said 51 games will be played by 16 nations with four venues required for the hosting of 16 matches in the preliminary stage and another four venues for the hosting of the super-eight round, to be followed by the semifinals and final.
“I think that Guyana needs much more cricket and I think a stadium will achieve this,” Singh said.
He also noted that the projection for the 2007 event is that 100 000 tourists will arrive and some half a billion US dollars will be spent which will benefit the entire Caribbean.
Also speaking at the ceremony were Marketing Manager of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Antonius Raghubansie, who said that his company is pleased to be associated with the event since Pepsi is the official drink, and His Excellency Avinash Gupta, High Commissioner to Guyana for the Republic of India.
Public Relations Officer of the GCB Terry Holder in moving the Vote of Thanks noted that the bidding for the World Cup is not a commitment, but an opportunity after which we will see the changes in the country and the good it holds for the nation.