Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport Gail Teixeira is emphatic that Guyana is ahead of the game with regard to meeting the stringent requirements necessary for hosting matches in the International Cricket Council (ICC) 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC).
The minister, speaking yesterday at a press briefing held at her ministry on Main Street, said: "We have met every single deadline."
She noted that Guyana's chances of hosting matches are extremely good because the country has several things working in its favour. These include the fact that Guyana will be building an altogether new stadium which will be designed to meet all of the ICC's onerous specifications: large available land space; an abundance of food; and a pledge from both the government and opposition political parties to support plans for a stadium. The minister noted that the Venue Assessment Team (VAT) for the World Cup will be in Guyana on Thursday to conduct an assessment of Guyana's bid. The team will conduct on-site inspections as well as "grill" Guyana's bid representatives on the submissions made in the country's bid documents.
The minister stressed the importance of all Guyana being behind the project which has tremendous potential to boost the country's economic fortunes.
She said this is an historic event since it will be the first time that the country will be bidding to host matches in a World Cup. Teixeira cautioned that a national effort is needed since over the years the country has not enjoyed a good image overseas. But she said that the type of crimes being committed here are relatively new and in comparison to what is happening in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago with regard to criminal activity, Guyana is still a relatively secure country.
The minister declared: "Guyana will be on show! We need to market ourselves positively and properly."
Teixeira told the media that Guyana's bid had been very conservative and caters for an influx of between 4,000 and 5,000 visitors during the event. She also said that Guyana chose to host the Indian cricket team mainly because that country is assisting with the building of the cricket stadium. The minister said Guyana has benefited from a "fortuitous coincidence" since the current road works being done with help from the international lending agencies had been negotiated before the region was awarded the prestigious event. She said that these infrastructural works will complement the overall developmental thrust that is necessary to enhance the country's bid efforts.
And she said that the government would still forge ahead with the construction of the stadium whether or not Guyana is awarded matches.