Robert Bryan, executive director of the Local Organising Committee for CWC 2007. - File

One could not help noticing the pride and joy on the faces of the children, some of them quite small, who went out on the field holding the hands of the players in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup. Is anything being planned to include our children in some prominent way in the Cricket World Cup (CWC) so that they can feel that they are a part of this historic occasion in the Caribbean?

Some of the sponsors of the event already have promotional programmes targeting children. It is the Iinternational Cricket Council (ICC) that has responsibility for the actual programme surrounding the cricket. As far as we know, there are no plans specifically focused on children in the cricket programme.

The concept for the opening ceremony has in it space for the participation of children in very substantial ways.

The Local Organising Committe (LOC) is presently looking at a number of scenarios which will involve children interacting with the 16 teams, among other things that will require approval from the CWC 2007 Inc. and the ICC.

The biggest opportunity for showcasing our children rests with the Government and the efforts that they put into showcasing the country through a properly organised and coordinated national country programme, whether through the tourist ministry, the cultural and entertainment bodies along with the trade promotion agencies in association with the private sector in the country.

I am more than a little concerned at the failure of the LOC to stand up to some of the ridiculous stipulations being laid down by the ICC for the upcoming World Cup, such as the banning of dutch pots, cooked food, noise makers, picnic baskets, food carriers etc. Why ban these things?

The CWC is an event owned by the ICC which sets the rules that govern this event, including the standards that govern them.

These include all the areas referred to in the question, many of the rules and restrictions are reflective of the ever-increasing restrictions being put into place for major international events. Many of the restrictions have also been implemented in light of the international concern of terrorist threats. These threats may not have been the focus of normal cricket events in the Caribbean, but the international profile and standing of the ICC CWC requires that attention be placed on these areas.

The LOC is bound by a number of stipulations as laid out in the Host Venue Agreement (HVA) that was signed by the Government of Jamaica. We continue to provide advice to the ICC and CWC on the rules and where applicable on the potential impact in the marketplace but at all times the final decisions rest with the event authority which is the ICC.

Wasn't part of the rationale for selecting the West Indies as host of the next Cricket World Cup, the special flavour of cricket matches in the West Indies and the passion with which we as a people approach our cricket?

I think the ICC selected the West Indies to host their event because we put in a bid to host the event and the ICC considered it the best bid to accept for the 2007 hosting of the event. The award of hosting rights to the West Indies does not include the right to set the rules for the operations of the event. The region has total rights as countries to develop any programme we see fit that will market and position our countries and convey the culture, people, economy and passion of our people as long as these do not infringe on the intellectual and commercial rights of the event owners and their commercial partners.

The governments of the host nations, therefore, have a significant responsibility to ensure that they have a plan to achieve this, having signed the HVA and committed so much resources to hosting various packages of this world event.

I don't think they intend changing the flavour, passion and fun of caribbean cricket, but the ICC CWC is not a caribbean event, it is a World Games and the ICC is obligated to ensure that the agreements of its worldwide stakeholders are protected even while ensuring that as much of the flavour of the Caribbean is reflected in the staging of the event.

If the answer to the above question is even a 'maybe', then why are they trying to kill the traditions associated with cricket?

Frankly speaking, the Govern-ment of Jamaica needs to do far more to ensure that there is a comprehensive programme to present the people, the culture and traditions of Jamaica under the lens of the event utilising the tremendous media platform that the event presents. If this is not corrected the country will not leverage on the cricket events which I assure you will be played in fine style in some of the best venues for cricket in the region and the world.

The Jamaica Cricket Association which is the Local Cricket Board and the West Indies Cricket Board also have to develop programmes aimed at projecting and protecting the legacy of West Indies cricket utilising the opportunities presented by the hosting of such a huge world games.

No one can kill the energy and vibes of Caribbean people but the people themselves.

What are the organisers doing to inform Jamaicans about Cricket World Cup and how they can get involved?

The LOC has embarked on a very deliberate communications strategy which includes community sensitisation working with the SDC, stakeholder meetings with the local authorities and other government agencies, bi-weekly press conferences, media partners workshops, later in the year and as we get closer to the event our advertising and promotional programmes will begin.

How many visitors are expected and how will they be accommodated?

Projections are for approximately 12,000 cricket-specific visitors to be in Jamaica during the period when cricket will be played. The event is being held during the normal winter tourist season. As a result, it is anticipated that the island will be experiencing high levels of visitors. The estimated room stock in the country has been deemed adequate to handle the projected demands. The Tourism Product Development Company will be implementing a Bed and Breakfast Home-Stay programme to augment room availability in Kingston where it is expected that the greatest pressure for rooms will be. Additionally, we are aware of efforts by the private sector to have a cruise ship available in the port of Kingston.

Are you satisfied with the sale/requests for tickets for matches in Jamaica?

No, I am not satisfied. Phase One of public ticketing ran from May 1 to July 31; the figures are indicating a slow demand for tickets for the matches in Jamaica. It should be noted, however, that countries like Jamaica with First Round Group Stage matches did not fare as well as countries with Super Eight matches. The demand for tickets for the semi-final match in Jamaica was satisfactory.

The LOC is in discussions with the CWC to look at developing new strategies for the second phase of ticket sales which will commence on September 1. The overall objective is to develop the best marketing programme to sell the unique set of matches in the yellow package including the opening ceremony, taking into account the quality of the matches and the specific conditions associated with selling Jamaica.

If visitors will be staying in Montego Bay or Ocho Rios, how will you get visitors into Kingston hassle-free?

Most visitors will travel to Jamaica under a tour operator package which will include match tickets accommodation and ground transport. We expect that the normal transportation systems that move the extensive tourism traffic annually will be fully engaged during this period.

The LOC will be responsible for the transportation of the teams, officials, media and sponsors. These groups will be transported by specifically-contracted service providers for the duration of the event in Jamaica. These persons have all been booked and confirmed in hotels in close proximity to the official venues in both Kingston and St. James.

The Traffic Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the National Works Agency have been paying attention to the issues regarding the movement/transporting of passengers especially from Ocho Rios to Kingston. Discussions are taking place around the restriction of movement of large vehicles through the main thoroughfare between midnight and 9:00 a.m. on match days. Once the decision is finalised, the public and more so the motoring public using this route will be advised.

Given our crime problem and heightened terrorist threats, are you satisfied with security arrangements for Cricket World Cup?

Yes, I am very satisfied with the planning and attention that is being paid to this area both in Jamaica and across the region including at the Caricom level.

Security planning for CWC 2007 has taken into consideration both our high rate of violent crimes and the threat of terrorism. There is ongoing threat assessment to inform the planning of counter-measures to secure the tournament. The security plan focuses on several aspects of security to include security at venues; ports and borders; transportation; entertainment; visitor safety; community safety; and protection services for those assessed to require same. We are satisfied, based on the assessments, the planning done so far, and the retraining of staff and testing of procedures, that we can and will assure a safe and secure environment for the staging of CWC events in Jamaica.

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce has taken over plans in that area to prepare for Cricket World Cup, who is really responsible for orderly planning in key centres i.e. Falmouth, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Kingston?

The Government of Jamaica has indicated that JAMPRO is responsible for developing and implementing a national legacy strategy. The Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture has responsibility for 'off the pitch' activities and there is a Cricket Public Sector Liaison Committee, headed by the Honourable Anthony Irons from the Office of the Prime Minister, to coordinate planning in these areas. It is my opinion that the Local Government authorities and their respective mayors have to take lead responsibilities to ensure that their towns are properly prepared to host the event. I believe that these agencies and committees need to be communicating much more with the public of Jamaica as to what are the plans being developed by them and indicate how ordinary Jamaicans can become fully involved in the proposed efforts.