WorldCup 2007 - HOT NEWS!

Courtesy: Stabroek News

World cup was big success -LOC draft report but notes major embarrassment caused by delays
By Miranda La RoseWednesday, June 6th 2007

Guyana's staging of the Super Eight matches in the Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 tournament was rated a huge success although the country did not meet the deadline for completion causing the late handing over of the venue and other problems. In addition, incomplete works resulted in expenses not budgeted for, the first draft report prepared by the Guyana Local Organising Committee office on Guyana's hosting of the six Super Eight matches said. However, the first draft does not include any expenses incurred in infrastructural works that assisted in making the event a success and Chief Executive Officer of the LOC, Karan Singh explained that some figures were still not available but they would be contained in a chapter dealing with Financial Management (accounts and commercial and licensing). Singh expects there would be several drafts before the final draft is produced. A number of chapters, which will be included, are event management, accommodations, public relations and marketing/communication, information and communication technology, WCW Vibes and national volunteers, accreditation, VIP/Protocol, transport and logistics, security, spectator experience, catering, and health and emergency. Copies of the 22-page first draft report were circulated to all LOC board members early last month for additional input including comments and recommendations.

It is projected that the final report will be presented to the National Assembly in another three months, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony told the last sitting of parliament. According to the report, incomplete items included the accreditation process, Information Communication Technology works due to the Ministry of Public Works being unable to address the ditching of the fibre optic cables and challenges to power supply, causing the CWC 2007 Inc. to send in an ICT team to Guyana. The draft report said this problem was compounded by the fact that "the local representative was not in efficient communications with the CWC venue development team as was stipulated." Greatest embarrassment Incomplete works, which included the accreditation centre, media centre, video board, venue graphics, event management compound, information technology ducting, and running of power distribution cables and other critical services in time, "was our greatest embarrassment" as it resulted in the ICC CWC West Indies 2007 Inc. writing the LOC on its intention of intervention in spite of provisions in the contract for resolution.

This had been reported in the Sunday Stabroek prior to the first game. Following the publication of the news item, both the LOC and the government had sought to play down the impact of the delays and had not referred to it as a major embarrassment. Major components of venue development such as the security fences, parking lots, perimeter drainage, and other such works were also incomplete, the draft LOC report said. Heavy rains from March 26 resulted in a complete change of approach towards preparation of site works and the CWC Site Manager Dave Macy and CWC Venue Manager Andrew Sharp then mandated that GL Events complete the work. Cricket World Cup has set up a central procurement programme, with the primary objective of facilitating effective cost savings to the Host Venues by the procurement of goods and services. The LOCs all felt that this was a very good initiative and certainly would have assisted in cost savings for the LOCs while also providing some form of standardization. The report noted that GL Events was an official sponsor of goods and services to CWC 2007.

The nine LOCs entered into an agreement with GL Events to provide overlay services to the tune of some US$25 million. GL Events' service to Guyana was initially in the sum of US$928,000 because the stadium was already being built to satisfy the requirements. The LOC subsequently reduced the scope of works by GL Events to US$718,000 by removing some items that it opted to buy instead since the rental and the procurement costs were almost the same. In a background to the stadium, the report noted that Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited (SPCL) of India in association with C.R. Narayan Rao Engineers and Architects was awarded the contract to construct the stadium at a cost of US$25 million. The Guyana National Stadium at Provi-dence, East Bank Demerara has a spectator seating capacity of 9,460, a grass mound to accommodate more then 5,000; and a presidential suite with 300 seats.

The external civil works at the stadium were undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works, which included the perimeter fencing, landscaping and developing of paved perimeter access ways and parking facilities. No cost has as yet been provided by the Ministry of Public Works. Terra Firma Design and Build Contractor of Trinidad and Tobago was awarded the design and construction of the under-drainage system, pitch and field at a cost of US$728,900; and more than ten local contractors were awarded the external works. These included practice pitches, car parks, fences, access roads, the accreditation and administrative centre, and internal drainage systems. The French company GL Events was awarded overlay works.

All construction works were managed and supervised by the Public Works Ministry with assistance from the local consultant firm Design and Construction Services Limited. Exploitive prices While GL Events was an experienced company providing similar services to other mega events around the world, the report noted that GL had some exploitive prices for the services they provided. A company, SKM was recruited by ICC CWC 2007 to pronounce on GL's prices to the LOCs and it pronounced favourably on GL Events. However, all of the LOCs have expressed total dissatisfaction with the report provided by SKM and its findings.

The draft report noted that in Guyana's case, one of the major disappointments was the expectation that GL was providing overlay services to the Accreditation Centre only to realize on March 26, when GL Events explained definitely, that their scope of works did not allow them to provide power distribution to the Accreditation Centre. The six matches held in Guyana involved teams from England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ireland, New Zealand and West Indies. A total of 43,013 spectators attended the matches over the six days with the match between the West Indies and Sri Lanka drawing a total of 12,080.

Dr Anthony noted the existence of the draft during a debate on the second part of a motion in the National Assembly for it to direct "the Economic Services Committee to conduct a review of all processes and aspects of the preparation and hosting of the games and to make recommendations thereafter for future events and for the viability of the stadium." The motion was moved by AFC MP Raphael Trotman. The debate on the motion was adjourned to June 7. Noting the deficiencies in the report Dr Anthony announced that the government has requested the Office of the Auditor General to audit the LOC's accounts. The AG's report would be included in the final report. The CWC West Indies Inc has commissioned the University of the West Indies to assess the region's performance in the hosting of the games. The length of time being taken in the production of the final report, Dr Anthony said, was due to the many stakeholders involved in the staging of the game, including the public and private sectors, non-governmental and civil society organizations and volunteers and gathering information from them at present was very challenging.

There were also several aspects to the report that would depend on information to be provided by the ICC CWC West Indies 2007 Inc. These include a resolution and final settlement of cost allocations that were not clearly defined in the Host Venue Agreement Guyana signed with the CWC 2007 Inc; information on anti-infringement and ambush marketing in Guyana; information on the common domestic space, the regional security arrangements and the details relating to Guyana; and information on ticket sales for each of the matches held in Guyana. Detailed reconciliation would have to be done and the monies accrued from the sales would be credited to the LOC's account. The government, he said, was "still awaiting the details from the CWC West Indies 2007 Inc. He said that the government agrees that there should be a review of all processes and aspects of the preparation and hosting of the CWC 2007 matches and "would like to facilitate the process by providing a report on the hosting of the ICC CWC 2007 with lessons learnt and recommendations."

Tourist arrivals In his contribution on the motion, PNCR MP Mervyn Williams queried the number of arrivals in Guyana for the tournament noting that an article in the May 3, 2007 edition of The Economist stated that the best guess was that no more than 35,000 visitors came to the Caribbean for the CWC 2007 tournament. Local newspapers quoted Guyanese officials as saying that tourist arrivals here were about 16,000 which suggested that Guyana had about half of the visitors to the Caribbean for the tournament. British consultants had originally projected that some 225,000 visitors would arrive in the region; 37,000 to Guyana; and the tournament organisers had hoped for 100,000. Using The Economist as a source of information, he quoted the average attendance at stadiums across the region as below 9,000 per match. Guyanese, he said, await the report of the government on the purchase and sale of the 20 BMWs; the recovery of the sums advanced to Buddy's International Hotel and the Casique Palace Suites and Banqueting Halls in their construction; the terms and conditions of the loans to both, having regard to the fact that the Casique was not completed; of the sums advanced to Buddy's and the percentage of revenue government recovered from ICC payments to that hotel; revenues, if any garnered by the incomplete Casique: and the impact on debt to the government, and by extension the people, these loans would have. He also asked for explanations as to why the feasibility study into the stadium construction was never done; the full impact of preparation costs with respect to World Cup Cricket on the country's public debt and why the Price Waterhouse study on the sustainability of the stadium has not been made public.

Press releaseMarch 20, 2007

WEST INDIES MEET AUSTRALIA IN FIRST ICC CWC 2007 SUPER 8 GAME Australia, and now the West Indies, have advanced to the Super 8 stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup. This means that the March 27 fixture at the brand new Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua between D2 and A1 will indeed feature the hosts; the Windies; and the reigning CWC champions, Australia.Having already won two out of their three Group Stage matches, both sides have earned their place in the second round of the competition.Even if the West Indies top Group D, which would require a win against Ireland at Sabina Park on Friday, Brian Lara's team will retain the D2 designation assigned to them in the match schedule. This principle applies to all seeded teams. The D1 spot in the Super 8s still hangs in the balance and will depend on the outcome of the two remaining matches. Ireland currently have three points and Zimbabwe, one point. If Zimbabwe beat Pakistan tomorrow (March 21), Ireland and Zimbabwe will have three points each. Ireland would then have to defeat the West Indies on Friday to assure themselves of the D1 position and a place in the Super 8s. If Ireland lose, the D1 slot will then be decided on the net run rate of the tied teams. If Zimbabwe lose to Pakistan, then Ireland will automatically qualify for the Super 8s as D1, regardless of the outcome of Friday's game. However, the last Group Stage match will still be crucial as Ireland and the West Indies would be fighting for top spot in the group and the right to carry through two points to the second phase of competition.The points won in a Group Stage match, against a team that also qualifies for the Super 8s, will carry over into the second round. Therefore, if it is Zimbabwe who advance in the D1 slot, the West Indies will start the Super 8s with two points as they beat Zimbabwe yesterday.South Africa must beat Scotland today at Warner Park in St Kitts to be assured of their place in the continuing stage of the Event. Even if a win is secured against Associate team Scotland, the fixture on March 24 between Australia and South Africa at Warner Park, St. Kitts, is key for either team in order to bank points for the next round.

Press Release March 19, 2007

QUEENS PARK OVAL MAKES ICC CWC 2007

HISTORYJust a week into ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad has earned itself a place in cricket history and in the statisticians record books. Today (Monday March 19) it became the venue where the highest score was amassed by a team in an ICC Cricket World Cup match as India walloped newcomers, Bermuda, to the tune of 413 runs in their Group Stage encounter. This record-breaking total eclipsing Sri Lanka's 398 for five versus Kenya in 1996 was achieved for the loss of five wickets in 50 overs.Though the day was overcast and grey, the action on the field was lightning-charged and breath-taking with Indian fans soaking up every minute of the masterful batting display put on by their team's top order. After our loss to Bangladesh on the weekend, it's good to see the boys back to winning ways and in so emphatic a manner, even though it is not against one of the stronger sides in the tournament. It's also a good batting pitch, said one Indian supporter after his team's turn at the crease. The Queen's Park Oval, no stranger to record-breaking feats and nail-biting cricket, has undergone major transformation for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, including a new members' stand as well as media and player facilities. Its capacity has increased to 17,000.The scenic ground, rich in history and tradition, will always be remembered as the venue where England were blown away for 46 runs in a Test match in 1994-95 by a fiery West Indian pace attack spearheaded by Curtly Ambrose. Queen's Park Oval is one of 12 stadia being utilised for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.

Press Release, March 02., 2007

SMOOTH INTRA-CARIBBEAN TRAVEL FOR TEAMS & OFFICIALS IN ICC CWC 2007

The three regional aircraft carriers; Air Jamaica, Caribbean Airlines and LIAT; which will provide specially chartered flights for all teams and their kit as well as match officials during tournament time, are ready and raring for the challenge.Speaking today as the majority of the 16 Participating Nations started arriving in the Caribbean, officials from the respective organisations expressed confidence that they will handle the assignment efficiently.

It has been five months of preparations and we are very excited to be involved in the Cricket World Cup in such an integral way. All of our staff and crew are looking forward to doing the best job we can, said Director Special Projects, Air Jamaica, Richard Lue.

We will be working closely with the other two carriers to move, not only teams and their cargo, but supporters as well, around the region. We have done a lot of work and we are going to deliver in a manner that makes everybody proud - Lesroy Browne; Director of Schedules & Special Projects for LIAT is in no doubt also that they can deliver.The flight schedules have been well coordinated for us to move teams, their luggage and gear bags around the Caribbean. We have things worked out so that some bags will go directly on to the team's Group Stage location after the Warm-ups while the teams go to Jamaica for the Opening Ceremony.

He disclosed that the airlines have been in discussions with several airports in the nine Host Venues, requesting that they operate almost 24 hours a day to accommodate the traffic during Cricket World Cup.

I would say we are quite ready. We have already started moving teams around. Today, we moved Bermuda from Antigua to St. Vincent and tomorrow a number of other teams will be travelling between Caribbean countries, said Browne.

Meanwhile, ICC CWC 2007 Cricket Operations Director, Michael Hall, explained that the terms and conditions of the charter service will see tailor-made flight schedules in operation for the Participating Nations. Utilising a combination of regularly-scheduled flights on which CWC 2007 controls the seat inventory in addition to charters, CWC has organised what we are confident will be an excellent solution to a hugely complex logistical challenge, he said.

The schedule of flights provides for team departures which minimize the instances of pre-dawn wake-up calls and flights which take off before sunrise, and which also facilitate arrival in each Host Venue at times more in keeping with regular check-in times at various team hotels. We have already received positive feedback from some teams about the in-tournament flight programme. We've pulled out all the stops to be as accommodating as possible to the teams during the tournament. We do not want teams suffering through the long and circuitous journeys that they have traditionally endured to get to their next destination within the Caribbean. Noting that CWC and the three regional carriers have worked continuously over the past several months to finalise this very critical aspect of tournament delivery, he thanked the airlines for their commitment to the effort and understanding of the importance of getting it right. What has been particularly pleasing throughout has been the spirit of cooperation among the carriers, particularly as this is an industry where this is not always the case, observed Hall.Another regular feature of the world-class provisions for teams is the scheduling of special baggage flights which will leave just ahead of the team flights. CWC has also appointed a number of team-specific personnel such as liaison officers, baggage masters, assigned drivers and close protection officers and arranged for the plane-side pick-up and drop-off of teams to ensure arrivals and departures are as smooth and efficient as possible. Police outriders will escort teams between the airports and their hotels and vice versa. Special procedures will also be in place for teams and match officials where immigration and customs are concerned, disclosed Hall, adding that specific airport staff will be delegated to process their documents.

Press releaseFebruary 15, 2007

CARICOM BRIEFED ON ICC CWC 2007 AS EVENT DRAWS CLOSER Top officials of ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc. have updated CARICOM leaders on the Caribbean on the status of progress towards hosting ICC CWC 2007 next month.

CWC Chairman, Kenneth Gordon, and CWC Managing Director and CEO, Chris Dehring, met with members of the CARICOM Sub Committee on Cricket last Sunday in St. Vincent & the Grenadines; the latter presenting a comprehensive report on the state of preparations across the region.

CEOs of the Guyana and St. Vincent & the Grenadines Local Organising Committees (LOCs) respectively, Karan Singh and Mike Findlay, also attended.The meeting, which was chaired by Minister of State, Hon. Delano Franklyn of Jamaica, on behalf of Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. The Rt. Hon Keith Mitchell, who is chair of the Sub Committee, was attended by His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana, and Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis, the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.

A number of ministers of sport from other CARICOM countries were present as well.Barbados, Deputy Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, who spearheads CARICOM Sub Committee on Security for ICC CWC 2007 brought those at the meeting up to date on the introduction of the Single Domestic Space and other security issues related to the tournament.Subsequently on Tuesday (February 13) both Gordon and Dehring met with all CARICOM Heads of Government and held discussions on a range of matters related to both West Indies cricket and the Cricket World Cup.

Each Prime Minister was presented with an update on where their country stands and the issues which need to be resolved if the region is to successfully host the tournament. The Prime Ministers expressed their gratitude for the briefings and pledged to continue their full support. Direct lines of communications with the Prime Ministers, in the event of emergency situations during ICC CWC 2007, were established.