MITCHELL
ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (AP):
AN INTERNATIONAL Cricket Council (ICC) delegation will visit Grenada to check preparations for the 2007 Cricket World Cup amid concerns the island nation will not finish construction of its stadium in time for the event.
The five-member ICC panel, currently visiting Guyana, will begin its tour of Grenada's facilities today to monitor construction progress at the National Stadium, inspect two practice venues, and visit a hotel to accommodate the media during the tournament.
Grenada, which will host six Super 8 matches, is one of nine Caribbean nations organising the World Cup to be held for the first time in the region.
Reacting to fears the country would not be ready in time, Prime Minister Keith Mitchell announced on Monday he would supervise all local organisation for the event.
"Recognising the absolute necessity for quick decision-making ... I have decided to take full responsibility for the preparation," Mitchell said. Mitchell said he had held weekly meetings with the local organising committee to monitor progress.
Grenada is building a 17,000-seat cricket venue to replace its National Stadium, destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.
