Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Miss Jamaica 2006, Sara Lawrence, is 'pinned' by executive diector of Jamaica Cricket 2007, Robert Bryan, at the 'Come to Jamaica' launch at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel yesterday. - Junior Dowie / Staff Photographer

'Come to Jamaica', a song produced and arranged by Richie Stephens, is the official theme song for Jamaica's leg of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The song was launched yesterday by Jamaica's Local Organising Committee (LOC) at the 'Come To Jamaica' media launch at the Jamaica Pegasus.

Robert Bryan, executive director, Jamaica Cricket 2007, gave the song a big thumbs up.

"We feel compelled to support this song because it really tells a great story of Jamaica and Jamaican hospitality," Bryan said.

"We have agreed to use this song to support this campaign because of the lyrics and sentiments," he added.

"The ICC Cricket World Cup presents to the region and Jamaica one of the largest stages that will ever be available to us to demonstrate to the world who we are.

Biggest television platform

"We will have a chance for over 59 days on the biggest television platform to influence some two to three billion people worldwide," Bryan said.

He warned Jamaicans to be on their best behaviour.

According to Bryan, there are two major productions contending to be played out on this enormous world stage.

"Production number one is entitled 'Tear Jamaica Apart', it is produced by some Jamaicans and starring some Jamaicans. This play will demonstrate that nothing works in Jamaica. It will focus on crime and violence in the country," Bryan said.

The LOC boss said there was another production which will be called 'Take Jamaica to Heart'. "This play will tell the world that we are a great people that have influenced the world in many areas of music, sport, business and academia. "It will tell the world that we are a bold and creative people, that we are the land of reggae music that has produced Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Sean Paul and Shaggy. "It will remind the world that Bob Marley was a truly great Jamaican and that the millennium song One Love was produced right here in Jamaica.

"It will tell the world that we have produced great sports men and women like Herb McKenley, Don Quarrie, Courtney Walsh, Asafa Powell, and Merlene Ottey, Veronica Campbell, Michael Holding and Jeffery Dujon to name a few."

Bryan said he hoped the song 'Come to Jamaica' would become the theme song for the 'Take Jamaica to Heart' production and that Jamaica would proudly host the ICC World Cup in March and April and it will energise the entire nation way beyond 2007.

The LOC also launched its get pinned campaign. The local pin combines the Jamaican flag with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 logo.

"We would like all Jamaicans to purchase and wear this pin as a symbol of pride and commitment." Bryan said. The pin will be sold for $250.

Feedback: anthony.foster@gleanerjm.com.