Non issue -- Guyana ready for CWC, minister assures
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
March 24, 2007
“IT’S a non issue.”
That was the response of Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony to a story in another newspaper yesterday about a United Kingdom firm taking over the management of the Providence Stadium for Guyana’s hosting of the six Super Eight Cricket World Cup (CWC) matches.
Anthony, the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said the letter the newspaper quoted was an internal correspondence sent since Saturday last and the areas mentioned had already been dealt with at the time of the press conference hosted by the LOC at its office in Middle Street, Georgetown, yesterday.
“We responded to every point in that letter. They must be satisfied because we have not received any further correspondence on the matter.”
He pointed out that GL Events, a French firm and not one from United Kingdom as was stated in the newspaper’s story, was actually contracted to handle those areas, explaining that the firm provided services to all LOCs to varying degrees.
“We have, also, contracted their services. We are paying them for those services”, Anthony said.
The letter referred to the completion of the accreditation centre, media centre, video board, turnstiles, power distribution, venue graphics and other critical areas.
“We’re completing those things way before time”, the minister said.
He said GL was contracted to provide the turnstiles and various companies did specific work.
Anthony said in the Host Venue Agreement, CWC 2007 Inc had a right to appoint a venue manager, among other positions.
“We have a stadium manager, Mr. (Anthony) Xavier.”
The minister said the LOC was working collaboratively with the CWC people.
“We’re working as a team. They are there and working. It’s a non issue.”
The LOC boss said all the newspaper article did was to give a negative image that undermined the good work of hundreds of people, not only that of the LOC.
“I reject that”, he declared.
He said the negative article came at a stage when the LOC was making a final push for people to come out to buy tickets.
“But we are confident that the matches will be top class.”
Minister of Transport & Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn said most of the work would be completed by today – `finessing’ of the external areas like putting down decorative tress, sealing of the bottom of fences, installing personnel and offices, etc.
“We’re basically finished.”
Chief Executive Officer of the LOC Karan Singh said that GL Events was paid and the insurance sorted out, the delay occurring because some areas needed to be cleared up before payment.
“We have to account for government’s money. We have to ask questions”, he said.