Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) president Chetram Singh (centre) makes a point during yesterday's press briefing at the GCB's office, Regent Road, Bourda. Others at the head table are Terry Holder (left) and Claude Raphael. (Aubrey Crawford photo)
Tight security arrangements will be put in place during the first Cable and Wireless One-Day International Cricket Series, slated for the GCC ground, Bourda on April 18.
Speaking at a media briefing yesterday at the Guyana Cricket Board's (GCB) office, Claude Raphael who has been tasked with the responsibility for security arrangements said he has already met with the officers of the Guyana Police Force and other security services and has been assured that everything possible will be done to make the tour a trouble-free one.
"I've met with the security people and together we have worked out arrangements from the time of arrival to the time of departure," Raphael said, adding "it's not enough to mention the importance of security for all."
The cricket administrator however said they (himself and security personnel) are still in the process of putting together what will be the security format. "We are still in the process of tidying up everything." He noted however that he had received the Police Commissioner's assurance that everything will be put in place "so the GCB is confident that its plans will be executed."
GCB's president Chetram Singh said with Guyana looking to host World Cup 2007 matches, his Board wants to use the West Indies versus England ODI as a dress rehearsal, to show the world and the International Cricket Council (ICC) in particular that Guyana is capable of hosting World Cup matches in 2007.
Singh said the bid for the 2007 series has to be submitted by May 6 and the Board has to do everything to get it right. "We also want to ensure that the local and foreign media give us the publicity we need," Singh stated.
GCB's Public Relations Officer Terry Holder who also attended the briefing said the security arrangements that were in place last year during Australia's tour of the West Indies will be in place once again this year.
"We will have a sterilised area like last year, and spectators will be scanned and frisked before entering the sterilised area," Holder pointed out.
According to Holder the sterilized area will be immediately around the GCC and GFC grounds and it will be patrolled by police and other security ranks and dogs.
Holder stressed that only people with tickets or passes will be allowed into the sterilised area.
Holder as well as Singh pointed out that no firearms or other weapons will be allowed into the venue as well as no glass bottles or beer cans.
Singh said even if someone is licensed to carry a firearm, that person will not be allowed to take the firearm into the ground.
They both said that a notice to this effect will be advertised in both the print and electronic media.
Holder said further that four checkpoints will be set up on the streets around the ground and in case all tickets are not sold out prior to match day, the GCB has identified an area by the Shell Service Station on Vlissengen Road and another in New Garden Street for the sale of tickets.
However, according to Singh, tickets to the upper and lower levels of the Rohan Khanai stand have already been sold out as well as tickets to the upper level of the Lance Gibbs stand. Tickets for the other stands are still on sale and Singh anticipates a sold out crowd on match day.
Asked if tickets are sold out whether the game will be shown on local television stations, Singh said no.
In terms of security at the players' hotel, Holder said a police outpost will be set up there.
Guyana will take on the English team in a one-day match billed for the Everest ground on April 16 and the gates to the ground will be opened from 7am.
In terms of net sessions for the two teams (West Indies and England), Singh said the two teams along with officials are expected to arrive in Guyana at 6.30pm on April 15 and while Guyana and the English side are playing the one-day match at Everest, the West Indies team will have a net session at the Police ground, Eve Leary.
He however added that should any of the English players who are not selected for the game against Guyana want to have a net session that day, they will use the Malteenoes ground.
The day before the first ODI, the two teams will have net sessions at both the Everest and Police grounds.