Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cricket World Cup 2007 Christopher Dehring yesterday described Guyana's bid to host matches as exceptional.
Addressing the media, government officials, Venue Assessment Team (VAT) members and other stakeholders at Le Meridien Pegasus, Dehring said the most impressive aspect of Guyana's bid was the local input from all stakeholders.
Members of the VAT, in Guyana on a 24-hour visit to assess Guyana's bid to host matches in 2007, watched an impressive video presentation, which showcased aspects of the planned cricket stadium as well as efforts on the part of the government and other stakeholders to make the venture a reality.
Dehring said the VAT had met and held discussions with Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo who reaffirmed this country's commitment as a host nation for the World Cup. He said the team had also met PNCR leader Robert Corbin and he too gave his unequivocal support to making Guyana's bid a success.
Dehring said the CWC officials had enjoyed tremendously, the hospitality of Guyanese since they arrived in the country.
The World Cup boss said it was imperative that the people of the Caribbean are prepared in every way and noted that many countries have ploughed a lot of resources into their respective bids. He added that the VAT is buoyed by the quality of work done thus far by those countries that have submitted bids.
Venue Development Officer Don Lockerbie said he was impressed with Guyana's efforts from the time the team landed at the country's national airport. He added that the building of a totally new stadium is an exciting prospect for Guyana and the region as a whole. According to him, based on the description of the proposed stadium design, the new facility will be one of the best in the region if not the world. He added that the VAT had been in intense discussions with Guyana's bid preparation team as they sought to clarify with the local authorities, several aspects of this country's bid. He noted that Guyana's delegation, which met the VAT, was the largest they have encountered so far and said that this was an encouraging sign since all stakeholders seemed to have been represented.
Minister Gail Teixeira said preparing Guyana's bid documents and related issues had been an amazing experience for her. She added that Guyanese from all walks of life and persuasions had worked together to make the country's bid possible and timely. She thanked President Jagdeo for giving his stamp of approval on many aspects of the bid.
Teixeira added that Guyana's investment will be substantial but the subsequent rewards will be worth the effort.