CONTROVERSY IS brewing, particularly in Grenada, over an alleged proposal to use a mongoose as the mascot for Cricket World Cup 2007, which will be hosted by the Caribbean.
According to an article published in the Weekend Nation newspaper in Barbados, "Investi-gations have revealed that a mascot resembling a mongoose has been identified as the front-runner".
The article further stated that the choice has been met with disapproval from a number of persons, and Grenadians in particular. The Grenadians are against the use of the animal because of a group of ruffians known as the 'Mongoose Gang' which terrorised Grenadians who were unwilling to cooperate with then Prime Minister Eric Gairy. The gang was prominent in the 1970s.
When contacted by The Gleaner yesterday, Marvia Roache, communication officer for Cricket World Cup, said she could not confirm that the mascot will be a mongoose as it is "top, top, secret".
She explained that the mascot has to be registered worldwide to protect the brand. The communications officer said the public would know what animal the mascot is when it is revealed in a special ceremony in Trinidad July 19.
The Nation newspaper said that the "mongoose, which looks like a harmless bundle of brown fur, is really a vicious little creature which was brought from India to the Caribbean to kill snakes, then ended up destroying agricultural crops and chickens in particular".
