Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
ICC CRICKET World Cup West Indies Incorporated yesterday reiterated there will be many benefits arising from the hosting of the 2007 Cricket World Cup and invited local businesses, both large and small, to grab those opportunities with both hands.
"We have been looking into why small and micro-enterprises haven't been coming forward because this is their cricket World Cup as well," said Special Projects Officer, Steven Price, at a press briefing held at the Jamaica Conference Centre.
According to Price, there are opportunities for goods and personal services to be provided to the thousands of visitors that will grace the island's shores in March, 2007.
"We will be looking for every avenue available to see exactly where small businesses can fit into this programme. We have openings in several areas - gifts and souvenirs, games and entertainment and even selected foods," he said.
PROPOSALS
However, any attempt made to make a profit from the World Cup will have to come from written proposals submitted to ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies Incorporated, which is expected to make specific information available as to what will be required in the next couple of weeks.
There will, however, be absolutely no tolerance for what Price referred to as "ambush marketing" and he cautioned against companies that have not received official permission looking to profit from the ICC Cricket World Cup brand.
"Ambush marketing", as he defined it, was the attempt by any third party not officially involved in the event to deceive, the consumer that it is in some way involved with the event.
"It is our contractual obligation with the ICC and other organising committees to minimise ambush marketing. It undermines the returns for broadcasters and sponsors and that cannot be allowed," he said.
The public will be informed of what can or cannot be allowed through anti-infringement education which is also to be made public in coming weeks.
