Cricket legend Wes Hall (left) with Francine Charles and Elaine Bryan. - Contributed

As the region gets into gear for Cricket World Cup 2007, Barbados is looking even further ahead of the big event and has launched a massive campaign to execute it.

Barbados Legacy is a public relations campaign targeting Caribbean and other nationals in American cities like Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Canada.

Last Friday night, the Hilton Downtown Atlanta Crystal Ballroom was the venue for a presentation by cricket legend Wes Hall and Francine Charles.

Tony Alleyne, former Barbados Association president, introduced Hall and Charles and Dr. Edward Layne, Barbadian Consul.

Exceed expectations

Dr. Hall told guests that cricket is more of an art form than a sport and made the comparison to ballet or dance. He said it was important to execute this World Cup Cricket in such a way that we exceed expectation simply because ICC didn't believe we could do it.

"It will be a catalyst for promoting Caribbean unity; the economic impacts will be far reaching and continue well into the future," Hall said.

He cited Grenada as an example noting that significant progress had been made there with the recovery from Hurricane Ivan, mainly due to the World Cup preparations)

Hall also highlighted some of the unique logistical challenges faced by hosting the event in multiple countries, all separated by water; for example getting press equipment from one island to the next in one day. They are co-ordinating with the major airlines to do this.

Charles, corporate communications manager, Barbados Local Organising Committee (LOC), highlighted the progress made on the preparations and the details of plans in place for merchandising, security, accommodation, etc.

See details at: http://www.cricketworldcup.co /Barbados-loc.html.