KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC):

OUTGOING REGIONAL cricket chief Ken Gordon is pleased with the benefits accrued from the staging of Cricket World Cup 2007, and says the new stadia built for the event will augur well for the development of the regional game.

Speaking following a meeting of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Inc. board of directors last week, Gordon said the investment in infrastructure made by regional governments and the management of more than 9,000 persons across the region had been definite positives.

World-class cricket facilities

"Thanks to our governments, we now have 12 world-class cricket stadiums and 22 practice facilities for the further development of West Indies cricket - built on time and to specification," Gordon said."Over 4,300 volunteers and 3,000 event security personnel were trained and deployed and we now have a cadre of over 500 West Indians trained and experienced in world games event management."

The Caribbean played host to cricket's major showpiece earlier this year between March 13 and April 28, in nine host venues.

Several new stadia were built and other existing ones upgraded as the host nations set about preparing to host the tournament.

Organisers commended

Gordon, who described the World Cup as a success despite several challenges, also said the organisers had been commended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as well as CARICOM, for their handling of the tournament. "The members of the ICC were all very positive on the West Indies' performance as hosts and gave us a rousing and unqualified 'thumbs up'," Gordon, the West Indies Cricket Board chief, said.

"So, too, were the CARICOM Heads of Government, who have also expressed their satisfaction publicly."