Carib Beer, KFC matches look unlikely for National Stadium
….LOC to use time to complete works
By Faizool Deo
Guyana Chronicle
January 13, 2007
MINISTER of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, who chairs the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 2007 West Indies Cricket World Cup Committee said that he ‘does not envisage’ Carib Beer four-day matches and the KFC limited overs cricket being played at the National Stadium in Providence as was previously announced.
This information was disclosed yesterday at the Ministry’s Boardroom, when the LOC held their weekly press briefing.
The Minister said that the LOC wants to accelerate work in and around the stadium, before the final visit by the ICC inspection team on February 6th. “The priority is to get the work done,” he said.
Information from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), yesterday verified the changes. It was confirmed that Guyana will challenge Leeward Islands from January 28-31 at Albion, Berbice and will face Barbados from February 5-8 at the GCC ground, Bourda..
The two KFC limited over matches against the same two teams in the same order are also set for the same venues; at Albion on February 2nd and at Bourda on February 10th.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the LOC, Karran Singh said since cricket played at the National Stadium is a requirement by the International Cricket Council (ICC), this would be done after the final assessment next month.
This means that there is a possibility that the February 8th match could be switched from Bourda to the National Stadium.
This move by the LOC of ensuring that they complete all the detailed works, is not strange around the region since Jamaica had made a similar announcement late last month.
Paulton Gordon, an executive of the Jamaican Cricket Association had told local journalists that even though the field at Sabina Park venue was ready, construction had not been completed on the dressing rooms and media centre, which restricted the hosting of the regional matches.
At the Sion Hill Playing Field in St. Vincent and the Grenadines cricket authorities earlier this month shifted a Carib Beer and KFC limited overs match between the Windward Islands and Jamaica to St. Lucia owing to an incomplete new pavilion. That venue is preparing to be a practice venue for the Cricket World Cup.
Guyana’s readiness
For the National Stadium in Guyana everything seems to be in place. The Minister said that the LOC has completed the changes as requested by an ICC team last November
He said that the Media Centre seating had been adjusted and the grass is green and nice on the outfield of the ground.
With a pleased look, the Minister also said that grass is growing on the practice pitches and its run up problem has already been rectified. He said that the concrete pitches are yet to be built, but he is confident that they would not run behind time.
When asked if he feels that Guyana is ready to host the mega event which is just a few weeks away, the Minister replied in the affirmative. “We are pretty ready; I go two or three days per week to the stadium and I am pleased with the development on a daily basis.”