'We're confident'
Singh, Anthony say Providence Stadium will pass next week's inspection
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
February 3, 2007
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony and Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 Karan Singh are both confident that the Providence Stadium will meet the International Cricket Council's (ICC) requirements and that Guyana will host the Super Eight matches, scheduled to commence on March 28.
Addressing members of the media yesterday at the weekly press conference, Singh said the stadium, including the outfield, pitch and practice facilities will be ready in time. Singh's optimism was echoed by the sport minister.
"We're right on the deadline with all of the obligations we're required to provide when the ICC team comes on February 6 [Tuesday], and you'll [the media] have an opportunity to hear the pronouncements. I don't see why, we would not meet the requirements," Singh said.
And what if the Venue Inspection Team (VIT) is not satisfied with the stadium? Singh responded: "I haven't given that a thought because I don't think that will ever happen. I don't have to think about it." Supporting Singh, Minister Anthony declared: "We're very confident."
Singh said he is not certain if the media would be allowed to witness the VIT's inspection, but he would make efforts to have the team answer questions from the media after the inspection.
Singh said the site will be handed over to GL Events on February 13 for that company to start setting up catering booths and the accreditation centre among other things.
He pointed out that these facilities have to be in place by March 20, so that by March 26 everything is in place for the March 28 start of the Super Eight matches.
"We have to officially hand over the stadium to CWC on February 19," Singh said. CWC will then start putting in the sponsors' signs, he added, noting that the Global Communication Corporation (GCC) representatives who will be responsible for broadcasting the matches will also be coming to look at the accommodation at Buddy's International Hotel. "They are expected on February 6 also."
Singh said Buddy's Hotel is substantially completed
With regard to the practice wickets at the Providence Stadium, Singh said that in his estimation, the wickets are 85 percent complete and the concrete pitch will be constructed in a matter of days.
He said the fencing, drainage and nets are to be completed. "But if you are looking at the physical pitch and run up, I'll say its 100 percent complete."
Reminded that according to ICC stipulations, the practice wickets must have the same bounce among other things as the match wickets, Singh said "I can quote the words of Andy Roberts and Professor Sanchez who were both here two weeks ago. They are very pleased and happy that the tests done on the practice pitch and the match pitches are very comparable. So, if they are happy, I'm happy."
As regards the practice facilities at the Everest and the Georgetown Cricket Club grounds, Anthony said the only issue raised to date was the drainage around these two grounds.