Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
Guest speaker Robert Bryan, executive director of Jamaica's LOC for ICC Cricket World Cup speaks during the Portmore Metropolitan Cricket League awards night at the Ken's Wildflower Sports Club lin Portmore on Wednesday night.

Anthony Minott, Freelance Reporter

Executive director of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Cricket World Cup 2007, Robert Bryan, says events are moving smoothly in the run-up to the historic staging of cricket's biggest tournament slated to take place in the Caribbean between March and April next year.

"Jamaica's preparations are going well. Let me say here and now that without a shadow of a doubt that we will be ready," Bryan said while speaking at the Portrmore Metropolitan Cricket League awards ceremony on Wednesday evening at the Ken's Wildflower Sports Bar.

In outlining Jamaica's readiness for the tournament, Bryan said the stadiums will be completed as scheduled and handed over to the ICC well ahead of the required 21 days before the start of the event. He continued: "The pitches and out-fields are complete and we have been requested by the ICC just 'maintain them'.

"All accommodation requirements have been met and booked."

Plans approved

Bryan said hotel room stock is expanding to accommodate the 12,000-15,000 cricket spectators and the transportation plan has been submitted and approved by the ICC CWC. He said that despite the malaria outbreak, the medical plan is on schedule.

"We are confident the health authorities will bring the problem under control and that it will be eradicated before the event next year," Bryan said.

He said arrangements are in place for special Immigration and Customs facilities to make life easier for those coming to watch cricket. Bryan explained that the hosting of an event of this magnitude will showcase Jamaica to the world.

"The hosting of the event is a big opportunity for Jamaica and Jamaicans. It is an opportunity to truly demonstrate to the world that "today's Jamaica means business," he noted.

Culture

The former Social Development Commission (SDC) head adds that the event "gives us a chance to showcase our culture, our people and our country on the event's media platform estimated at two to three billion persons worldwide."

The ICC Cricket World Cup will officially bowl off on March 11, 2007, at the Trelawny Multi-purpose sports complex with an opening ceremony which is expected to be a grand gala, with performances and activities showcasing Jamaica's unique culture.

The famous and historic Sabina Park will host group stage matches and one of the semi-finals.

Some nine Caribbean nations will host warm-up games, preliminary round matches, and semi-finals with the grand final being played in Barbados on April 28 next year.

The tournament is the third largest sporting event worldwide with 16 participating countries playing international cricket lasting for 59 days with 51 one-day international matches.