Pauline NelsonWHEN THE World Cup is up and running, spectators will not be allowed to drive within certain boundaries close to either Sabina Park or the stadium being built at the Greenfield site in Trelawny.
"The area around the two stadiums we're going to develop as no vehicular traffic zones. We're going to use a Park and Ride System," Jamaica Cricket 2007 communications manager Pauline Nelson noted.
Places that will be used for parking in Kingston are the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) car park downtown, National Heroes Circle, Up Park Camp and the National Stadium.
"You park there and then you're shuttled into the stadium or within the area of the stadium," she added.
While that applies to people with their own vehicles, there is the other side that pertains to those whom it is the organiser's duty to move.
Nelson explains: "We're just about to run a series of ads trying to find out the country's stock of luxury vehicles, and passenger vehicles, because we're obligated to provide transportation for a group called the TOMS teams, officials, media and sponsors."
AWARENESS DRIVE
While they are seeking transportation assistance, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) will carry out operations to increase people's awareness regarding the importance of the Cricket World Cup and opportunities that are attached to it.
They will conduct this exercise through meetings across the nation, Nelson pointed out.
"What we're trying to get across to them is that 2.6 billion people will be watching the games. Jamaica will be in the eyes of the world between March 5 and April 24 and we need to ask ourselves what it is we want to showcase of Jamaica the nice people who we are, or what is presently going on," she said in an obvious reference to the crime situation.
More than 1,600 people died violently here last year and Nelson said "... that can't be it. Because of Jamaica's reputation as a brand, Jamaica is world class. We have good people and that's what we need to project.
"So what we are trying to tell Jamaicans as we go out on this sensitisation is to put your best forward. We cannot continue the way we're going. We've to clean up our act."
For those with business interests, she said there were numerous opportunities to be had, pointing specifically to "licensing and merchandise".
TENDERS
"When the tenders went out for licensing, Jamaica had the most," she noted. "There are about eight companies that have been awarded contracts to sell merchandise. "The opportunities are there, it's just for the business persons to look, see, call us, we can guide you, we're willing to talk to anybody".
Continuing, the event's communica-tions chief said: "The visitors who are coming to cricket do not necessarily want to stay in hotels. They want to come, sleep or lay their heads and go out and party. What can a community do to attract such visitors?" she queried to prove a point. "So the community needs to come together. This is why we're using the SDC as the co-op to formulate ideas.
"Look at Rae Town, what can Rae Town do for celebrations during the period when cricket is being played? What can happen along Knutsford Boulevard? Knutsford Boulevard used to have their regular 'nights out'. Can you cause that to happen during that period so that these visitors can go and look at the craft items?.
"It's just for the business people to come forward. The LOC can only give guidance, we can facilitate but we can't do it all."
