The World Cup
What the people say about
By Keisha McCammon
Stabroek News
April 9, 2007
What are your views on the world cup so far: crowd attendance, restrictions, prices, the West Indies' performance? We asked the man and woman in the street this question and this is what they had to say.
Lloyd Harper, former national cricketer: 'I think the world cup has been good so far. There have not been a lot of people attending the matches, only those going to see the West Indies. I believe that if India and Pakistan were here more people would have turned out to see the matches. The ticket prices have something to do with it but it's the ICC who set the prices. Guyanese in general support cricket because they are cricket lovers. The West Indies did not perform well; it seems they have problems within the team. Their performance could have been better but I'm still hoping the West Indies will make it to the semi finals. Another issue is, foreign coaches coaching the West Indies when there are capable coaches in the West Indies.'
Herbert Singh, bus driver: 'The West Indies performance has been poor so far. I am happy I got to see some of the matches but the West Indies were a let down. I don't know what problem they have but they are not living up to expectation. I believe that people are not attending the matches because India and Pakistan left early and this is one of the setbacks we face. The restrictions that have been put in place are to set some level of decency in place. In the past people would pelt things out on the field. I believe that if persons were allowed to walk with certain things there would have been problems especially during the match between West Indies and Sri Lanka. People had to give in to their feelings in other ways but they would have probably pelted at them. I doubt the West Indies will be able to make it into the semi finals.'
Shantel Paul, UG Student: 'I believe the West Indies are like the weather, they can change at any time. I want to see what is going to happen. Their performance will either limit or strengthen the support for their team. A lot of Guyanese turned out for the matches which was good. The restrictions are good in my opinion because it keeps the event more formal and it protects the players and the people. I believe the West Indies can make it into the semi finals they just have to put their best foot forward.'
Marcus Adams, Carpenter: 'The West Indies performance in the world cup especially in the super eight matches so far has dampened my spirits. I'm still supporting them and hoping they can do better. I believe that the games did not have a large crowd turnout because of the high prices of tickets. The things that are on sale at the matches are very highly priced as well. They have also restricted persons from carrying in certain items in the ground and that too may have resulted in some people not going. I did not attend any matches because of the West Indies performance.'
Nickoli Johnson, customer service representative: 'I think the World Cup was a tremendous opportunity to showcase our country. However I don't think we will be able to make back all that we have invested in this event. I believe that the crowd attendance was good for the match between West Indies and Sri Lanka. I don't think that the West Indies are playing to win; I believe they have team issues that need to be resolved. The fees are not too bad but the restrictions on Caribbean people are ridiculous and even more ridiculous is the cost for food items in the stadium.'
Ganesh Paul, artist: 'I think a very commendable job has been done so far in bringing the World Cup to Guyana. We had a late start but we have pulled together. Hope we will be able to learn from this and improve. The West Indies performance was dismal but I can't judge them. The match between the West Indies and Sri Lanka was bad but I have to blame the man in charge. The ticket prices could have been cheaper and they could have made the money back in volumes. The restrictions the world cup has are the norm around the world. We have to do what they do.'
Melissa Pemberton, housewife: 'I think that the West Indies could have done better. The ticket prices are too expensive and it seems to me that they are only catering for foreigners. The restrictions in place are sheer foolishness. A lot of people attended the game with West Indies versus Sri Lanka but generally people are not attending the matches and I believe this is so because the prices are too high. They have to cater for the poor people who are major fans of cricket. They are also not fully supported because of the many restrictions.'
Leann Sills, student nurse: 'The West Indies performance was sad especially their last game. I don't think they will make it to the semi finals. People have their hopes down and the team I think needs a reform. Only the West Indies match here had a good turnout and I believe the tickets were the problem. Additionally the cheapest tickets leave you out in the sun. The restrictions are the reasons I didn't go to the game and people want to go to have fun. There are too many restrictions and people also want to be able to walk with their own food.'
Sherene Williams, stenographer: 'The West Indies performance was lousy in the last set of games. It's impossible to have foreigners sitting without a cover in the stands and having them remove the caps off bottle water with a cover. The ticket prices are too high and if you keep the difference you can buy a lot of stuff at the game. The only match that had a lot of people was West Indies versus Sri Lanka. The other matches were empty because of the ticket prices. They have to make it more accommodating also if the stands are empty they should allow people to move around.'
Alexis Boucher, UG campus crusade staff: 'I think the West Indies tried their best. I am hopeful that they will be able to make it into the semi final. I am not satisfied with the crowd attendance. I think a contributing factor is the high cost. The West Indies only played one match in Guyana and the average man cannot afford to go to all the matches. The cost is hard on families who want all their family members to attend to make it a family event. They could have also lessened up on the restrictions and things on sale - the prices are too exorbitant. They should take into consideration the West Indian atmosphere.'