Stabroek News asked the man and woman in the street what they thought about Guyana's chances of successfully hosting matches at the Cricket World Cup in 2007, given that a new stadium has to be built.
Michael Edghilo Maintenance Engineer: 'I have my doubts on whether Guyana could successfully host the World Cup matches. We have so many glitches, which we seem not to be able to overcome, much less World Cup cricket. My concern is that the site is a cane field and the foundation of the stadium may take a long time to settle in. It seems like a tremendous task and contrary to what some people think we don't have three years. I would say that we more have about two years. If all the parties come together the task could be accomplished. But I still have some reservations about the foundation of the stadium. Remember you are going to have 3,000 in the stadium and they would not be standing still. We want something that is lasting. When we talk of the stadium being complete we mean that all of the factors would have been considered.'
Verdat Balram Sugar Worker: 'Yes, we have the money and the workforce, and if that is the case, then we could get it done. It does not look easy; you have to look at roads and the other infrastructure that have to be put in place. I think too that the police have to be on duty. All of Guyana is proud that the World Cup Cricket is coming here and the Guyanese people will do a good job of hosting matches.'
Alicia Harry Child Care Worker: 'I don't think that Guyana is ready to host World Cup matches. I would like to go to the games when they are staged here but I still do not believe that we are ready like the other countries that were selected. The time is short. The fact that Guyana was selected to host matches should have been announced since sometime last year. If they spend the money and effort then it may be possible.'
Shawn Williams Musician, Firstborn: 'I think that Guyana could pull it off. If that happens it would be good for the enhancement of the country's ability to rise economically. It is in the best interest of the authorities to make sure that things go right. It will enhance infrastructure because pavements and roads have to be built and the stadium would be a plus for the area where it is to be located. For me, a better location for the stadium would have been somewhere along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, but people would want to say that that location is inaccessible. Any large stadium would need facilities for parking a large number of vehicles, and it would be good if the plan for the stadium at Providence takes all of that into consideration. The utility companies in Guyana have a tendency of not working in tandem. Contractors would build roads and then the utility would have to dig open those roads and lay pipes or cables. All of those sectors should be involved in the planning for the building of the stadium.'
Ann Gonsalves Housewife: 'If all of the related parties come together then I believe that it could come to pass. Now is the best time for people to put their differences aside and work to make this happen. With prayers and God's help Guyana could be successful in hosting World Cup Cricket matches.'
Dhanpaul Sookdeo Delivery Clerk: 'I think that if they finish the stadium in time then we could host the matches successfully. The authorities would have to consider parking, hotel accommodation and the function of the utilities. The police would have to work harder. The government and the opposition would have to lay aside their differences or persons would not feel comfortable coming here to watch cricket. When I heard that Guyana was selected to host matches I felt happy, but we have to wait and see what happens from here on. We want to have important matches coming here. We want to get semifinals being played in Guyana, not just the opening matches. The staging of the matches would be good for Guyana's economy in a way, since even with the completion of the World Cup, important events could be staged at the venue.'
Troy Manifold Customs Officer: 'I hope that Guyana could get prepared for the World Cup in time. It's a lot of work. They would have to work around the clock. But if they put the money and the commitment then it would happen. We would benefit a great deal by the influx of a lot of tourists during the time that the matches are being played here. It would be good for hotels and the transportation industry.'
Kalus Johnson Commercial Clerk: 'I think that we would make it. But it all calls for finance and government support.'
Samantha Greene Painter: 'I think that Guyana would be ready, but first we have to clean up the streets. I went to Barbados and the streets there are clean. There would be many persons coming to see the matches and some of them may want to take tours. I hear a lot of people complain how the place is dirty in Georgetown. The government has to get serious if it wants the country to host the matches successfully.'
Claire Richards Fashion Designer: 'I feel that a lot of problems could affect our hosting matches in the World Cup of 2007. We might do it poorly and we don't want to be remembered for that. First of all, the political parties have to put their differences aside. Secondly, rain might pose a threat to the matches. And then there are the problems of poor water supply, poor electricity supply and all of those might affect the matches. The time that we have to prepare is not enough. We started too late to get prepared. For us to now be successful it would call for a lot of hard work.'