Are we ready
Peeping Tom
Kaieteur News
November 20, 2006
About Guyana 's readiness to host Cricket World Cup 2007…Pt 1 Guyana found itself in a most embarrassing situation this past week when the venue assessment team of the ICC found a great deal wanting in terms of our preparation for Cricket World Cup 2007.
While in other countries this would have forced those directly responsible to consider their future involvement in the preparation for this tournament, we know in Guyana asking for someone to he held accountable in situations like this is like throwing water on a duck's back.
In this series of articles, the Peeper will ask the question whether we are ready for Cricket World Cup 2007. I recognise that right now most Guyanese are asking themselves whether we are ready for VAT and are bound to dismiss some of the concerns that will be expressed in this series. However, I believe that what happened last week does not set a good example.
While the assessment made about the outfield and the pitch, as well as the concerns made about the completion of Buddy's International Hotel, does not doom us to not hosting our leg of the world's most prestigious cricket tournament, it was a national scandal that we were not in a better state of readiness.
The assessment team did not drop in unannounced. We knew well in advanced that they were coming and we had sufficient time to ensure that we made a good impression.
While their principal mission was to examine the state of the stadium, we ought to have appreciated the importance of impressing upon the team our overall state of readiness, from the time they deplaned at the airport to the time they left.
That we did not do that as best as we could demonstrates that we still have a far way to go in terms of understanding the requirements of world-class hospitality.
For one, we should have ensured that the overall aesthetics of the stadium, the outfield and pitch aside, were impressive. Imagine the assessment team getting off their bus to see the state of the area leading into the stadium. That does not set a good impression at all.
The comments of the team reflect their worry about our state of readiness. We were told that time is running out but that the desired work can be done in this time.
Quite honestly, I am disappointed, grossly disappointed, about the ICC team's disappointment about the outfield and the pitch. We had sufficient time and good weather to have had these in order and there is little excuse to be made for our failure to have a clean bill of health for the stadium.
I urge the government to immediately summon an emergency meeting of the planning committee, to demand an immediate explanation, and to make the necessary personnel changes to ensure that what is required to be done by the end of this year will be done.
I have had a look at the stadium itself and while it is an imposing edifice, I would like to forewarn Guyanese not to expect the same sort of comfort enjoyed at Bourda. True, the seating will be better and there will most likely be no overcrowding but I am not so certain that the roofing will provide adequate coverage against the elements.
So ensure that when you turn up with your World Cup tickets for the big games next April that you are well lathered in sun-block because I can assure you that the vast majority of cricket fans will at some time during the tournament be exposed to the scorching sun.
Sun-protection is however no impediment to Guyana 's hosting the tournament. In terms of the stadium, the most important aspect is the playing surfaces and given the observations made by Uncle Adam about sand kicking up when the bowler is running up, there is a great deal of work to be done. And not much time for this work to be done.
In the meantime, Guyanese must bow their heads and endure the comments made by the assessment team. That is the most we can do because there is no way that heads are going to roll over the findings of the ICC team that visited last week.
As a postscript, I wish to thank the Guyana Cricket Board for replying to my request for them to state whether Guyana 's status as host for Test Cricket was threatened because of the lack of proper facilities. They have answered that the President was right, but I am not certain right about what.
The gist of the Cricket Board's response was to the effect that because other territories were upgrading their facilities, there was going to be competition for hosting of Test matches and therefore Guyana 's new stadium was necessary.
I accept the point about other countries having surpassed Guyana in terms of the playing facilities, but I wish to advance the argument that this is not the only consideration.
The West Indies Cricket Board of Control has tried to ensure that international matches are played throughout the region, and therefore the issue of scheduling is not one solely determined by the state of facilities.
Guyana has always been a crowd puller for international matches. The WICB knows for sure that when they bring a match to Guyana , they will have good attendance; this cannot be guaranteed in other territories.
Further, I have seen some Test venues and I can tell you they are not up to scratch with Bourda. So I do not share the President's view that without the Providence Stadium, Guyana may never have hosted another Test Match.
It was only last year that Guyana hosted a Test Match at Bourda and I predict that even with the Providence Stadium, Bourda and Albion will continue to compete for international matches, especially if those involved in preparation for Cricket World Cup 2007 do not get the outfield at the Stadium in order.