ICC T20 World Cup …

THE Venue Inspection Team that was sent by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to inspect and ensure Guyana’s readiness and capability to host the upcoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup, which will commence in April, announced that from a general standpoint Guyana is ready to host the world tournament.

Members of the International Cricket Council’s Venue Inspection Team pose for photographers along with GCB president Chetram Singh. (L-R) Andy Watkinson, ICC Pitch Consultant; Gayle Alleyne, ICC Corporate Communications Manager; James Fitzgerald, ICC Communications Officer; Chetram Singh and Sabrina Panday who is the ICC Twenty20 West Indies Promotions and Corporate Services Officer. (Sonell Nelson photo)

Preparations are still being made to sort out minor issues and to handle all of the delicate minutiae that are still needed to get the venue into tip top shape.

President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chetram Singh said that this being the final official visit of the visiting ICC team is an indicator of the strides that have been made and how far along Guyana is in its preparations for the tournament.

ICC Communications Officer, James Fitzgerald, related that this being the final stretch until the commencement of the tournament, the goal of the visit was to take a look at the venue from all sides to make sure that all of the facilities were in place.

Fitzgerald said that he is confident in Guyana meeting the high expectations of a good showing for the tournament as ticket sales for the matches to be played here are higher than those in the other territories.

He also expressed his pleasure at the fact that the recommendations that were made in July during the team’s preliminary visit have been taken in hand and the improvements are palpable as far as the upgrade of some of the facilities is concerned.

According to Fitzgerald the Guyana National Stadium is moving in the direction of world class standard. He revealed that during the 2007 World Cup the venue pleased the ICC and it is great to return to the site.

Fitzgerald also disclosed that the meeting to look at security is to take place next week and all variables are being taken into account to ensure the safety of the athletes and the patrons.

The number of journalists alone is expected to be over 200 and as such preparations for accommodation are also in hand and he disclosed that while he cannot speak for the other territories, since Guyana is the first stop for the team, the local collaboration is fantastic.

“The hotels are very receptive to the recommendations being made,” he said. In relating the ICC’s approval Fitzgerald said that “at this stage we are just keen to get everything going”.

Andy Atkinson, who is the ICC’s Pitch Consultant, revealed that the square is also up to standard and it just needs a little tweaking to get back to its pristine condition which will be done over the 14-15 weeks left for the start of the tournament.

He revealed that they are no major problems and that just little improvements are being made to remedy the impediments caused to the pitch by the use of the ground for football matches.