Senior legal counsel of the International Cricket Coun-cil’s 2007 Cricket World Cup Jamaican Derek Jones said yesterday that CWC, the Guyana LOC and the government must continue to work together to strive to attain the region’s goal of producing the best World Cup ever.
The ICC yesterday took control of the management of the Providence Stadium site from the Local Organising Committee handing the site over to GL Events a United Kingdom firm claiming that they had lost ability in the LOC to “deliver a fully functional operating Super Eight venue in accordance with your contractual obligations.”
Jones told Stabroek Sport that the three bodies must now work together to ensure that Guyana would be a proud host venue.
Thousands of cricket fans are expected to arrive in Guyana over the next few days to witness the Super Eight matches which will be held at the stadium beginning on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Walter Willis, Site Engineer, responding to queries from Stabroek Sport on the supply of electricity to the venue was a bit tight-lipped. Willis, while not confirming that the power being served to the stadium up to yesterday morning was 220 volts, said, “I cannot talk to you on this matter right now, because I am right here at the stadium having discussions with the GPL (Guyana Power and Light) people and tomorrow (today) I would be in a better position to speak to you. I’m discussing some power issues.”
There were reports that the power being generated to the Providence Stadium was 220 volts when the facility needed a three-phase generating power supply of 110, 220 and 440 volts in order to facilitate the use of the many high-tech equipment that will be in use during the Super 8 matches.
Questioned on other issues such as transportation for the spectators to and from the Providence stadium, covers for the match and practice pitches and the much anticipated `Royal Flush’, Willis referred Stabroek Sport to Don Lockerbie who he said would be in Guyana on Sunday. “You know Don Lockerbie; he will be here by Sunday to answer all your questions.” Lockerbie is the ICC’s Venue Development Officer. The `Royal Flush’ (all the toilets at the stadium being flushed simultaneously, to ensure that the sewage system can handle the work load) was scheduled to be done last month when the LOC staged a Twenty/20 game featuring teams from Berbice and Demerara. Willis said he was not certain if that was done.
With four days remaining before Guyana hosts its share of the Super 8 matches, officials remain mum on those and other issues.
