SOME 200 security personnel will traverse in and around the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda, come Sunday when Guyana host the first One-Day International between West Indies and England in the 2004 Cable and Wireless Series.
At a press briefing yesterday, executives of Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) reiterated the necessity of providing adequate security for the players, officials, reporters and tourists who will be present in our country for the next few days or so.
According to the GCB Public Relations Officer, Terry Holder, since it was announced that all forms of weapons including licensed or unlicensed guns, glass bottles, and any objects that can be used to create disturbance would be prohibited from the cricket ground, a number of persons have clearly stated that this will challenge their constitutional rights.
To this Holder vehemently proclaimed that persons who share this view have a constitutional right not to show up at the cricket match, since it is the duty of the GCB to protect both the visitors and the citizens of Guyana.
Along with the security concerns the GCB also noted that after a meeting with the sponsors of the cricket series, persons would now be prohibited from any form of advertising at the match. One of the most obvious ban is that of groups of persons peddling outfits or using four and six cards that signals a company or group that has no sponsorship in the series.
According to GCB president Chetram Singh, Cable and Wireless has allocated 10 000 boundary cards for persons in the ground, so no external cards will be allowed in.
Due to the tight security and the metal detector searches which will be carried out, the GCB is asking that persons who will be viewing the cricket match to reach the ground early since all gates will be open from 06:00 hrs. For persons who are coming from New Amsterdam the GCB has made arrangements for them to cross with the 04:30 hrs ferry.
Another important point is the fact that persons who have not acquired tickets, should do so as soon as possible since a number of stands have been sold out, including Rohan Kanhai, Kenny Wishart and Lance Gibbs. The remaining stands where seats are still available are Clive Lloyd ($2 500), Shell/Laparkan ($2 500), South Mound ($1 500), Rails ($1 200), and School Children ($1 000).
At 10:30 hrs today seven of England’s players will touch down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timehri.
These seven players did not take part in the just concluded Test series. At 18:30 hrs the other cricketers -- West Indies and England -- and officials will arrive.