SMITH

KINGSTON (CMC):

Chris Smith, the Jamaica Local Organising Commit-tee's venue development director, has given the assurance that the new seating arrangements at the refurbished Sabina Park venue will adequately facilitate disabled persons.

Smith, who toured Sabina Park with an assessment team com-prising International Cricket Council (ICC) and Global Cricket Corporation officials last Wednesday, also said these persons would be accommodated in every price structure.

"They will be in the bleachers, suites, grandstands, sitting mound areas. Wherever persons are sitting, there will be facilities," Smith indicated.

Media treatment

Sabina Park, located in Jamaica's capital Kingston, will host Group D matches involving the West Indies, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland, as well as one semi-final, in next year's Cricket World Cup.

The venue will also host the tournament's opening match on March 13 between the West Indies and Pakistan.

Smith said Sabina Park would also cater to 200 media personnel when construction was completed.

"We have 70 in our legacy facility and we have a temporary facility for 130 additional tabled press persons," said Smith, while noting these were the ICC's requirements.

Dining, viewing area

"I will hasten to say that all media will be treated well, both local and overseas media."

Smith also revealed that the players' pavilion would be situated on the first level of the new North Stand, with the home team on the west side and the visiting team on the east side.

"There is also an inner room for players to dine and they will be able to come out to view the action on the field," he noted.

The North Stand at Sabina Park, which is expected to be completed by November 30, will house 78 suites, state-of-the-art players and officials' facilities, broadcasters' facilities, press boxes and seating for approxi-mately 21,000 spectators.