There will be huge economic spill-offs from World Cup 2007 matches especially in the countries where they are played.
This is according to the Venue Development Director for Windies World Cup 2007, Donald Lockerbie, who was at the time addressing a Rotary luncheon gathering at Le Meridien Pegasus yesterday.
The Director mentioned that the last World Cup in South Africa injected over 1bln US dollars into that country’s economy.
He stated that the Caribbean region also stands to benefit economically because of the many visitors who will travel here for the event and that the money invested by any government will be recovered within one year after the event has ended.
Lockerbie also said that this opportunity is a window on the world for these countries with an estimated viewing (television) audience of over 1bln people from all over the globe.
Lockerbie, who hails from the United States, has had experience over the past 20 years in the planning and development of stadiums and has also been on planning committees for FIFA World Cups.
The former 800m runner represented the US years ago and declared that he was very impressed with the level of fitness and athleticism of cricketers on the whole.
The director said that his major task is to help the WICB select the venues for World Cup matches in the first place and then manage the construction and development of everything that goes into making venues ready for the event. He claimed that this will be the greatest entertainment event the region has ever experienced, adding that it is mind boggling just thinking about the work that still needs to be done but said he was confident that it will be done. The director said that all the people in the Caribbean will have to get down to it and work hard to make this event something unforgettable.
However, according to Lockerbie, the countries in the region have a lot of work to do to put themselves in order for the event. He said that while at the moment the event remained a logistical nightmare, he is confident that all the teething problems encountered so far will be resolved. The director said that countries will have to invest in their airports, seaports, roadways, hotels and power plants (electricity).
In addition, internet (broadband) connection speeds and security which will have to be on par with the rest of the developed world and telephones will have to work better than they have ever worked before in the history of these countries.
Lockerbie also said that during the World Cup in South Africa 15 stadiums were used and that posed a very stiff challenge to the ICC and stated that this time around the governing body will definitely reduce the number of venues to probably eight.
As a consequence, he said that some countries in the region will most definitely not be able to host any of the matches and that is why it is important that they start now to put their houses in order.
According to Lockerbie it is important that the local authorities make strident efforts to get the word out to all Guyanese so that they will understand why it is important for Guyana to be in the running to host these matches.
The director explained to the audience of Rotarians that hosting an event of this magnitude is a challenge and that at present it seems like a logistics nightmare.
He said that many things have to be put in place in the next couple of months.
Lockerbie disclosed that Windies World Cup’s Chris Dehring, is currently in London having discussions with the ICC on the progress made so far.
Terry Holder, deputy general manager of local telephone company GT&T and who is part of the local World Cup organizing committee explained that at the local level the committee thought it fitting that Lockerbie be invited to brief Guyanese on what needs to be done to enable Guyana to be a serious contender for the hosting of matches.
The GFC and the GCC have proposed to merge in order to make that venue into a world class stadium capable of holding World Cup matches.
The other option proposed is to build a completely new modern stadium at Liliendaal next to the Caricom headquarters.