Journalist warned to expect ‘challenges' during Super Eight matches in Guyana
Kaieteur News
March 27, 2007
The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday warned journalists and other media covering the Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 in the Caribbean that they should be prepared to face “challenges” during the Guyana leg of the competition which begins tomorrow.
“As you may be aware from press reports, the LOC (Local Organising Committee) has been unable to provide fully operational facilities for us, and despite our best efforts, there may be continuing challenges during the matches at the stadium in Guyana ,” the ICC said in a statement.
It said ICC CWC 2007 Inc. have flown in additional personnel to assist the LOC in the preparations for the Super Eight matches, but noted “Currently, we have yet to be provided with a fully operational accreditation centre, 12 days after the required delivery date.
“While our team on the ground is doing everything within its power to provide a full service, media may experience intermittent power interruptions and limited Internet capacity and connectivity,” the statement said.
The Guyana leg of the Super Eight stage begins tomorrow with South Africa playing Sri Lanka while the big match in the zone is the West Indies, Sri Lanka encounter fixed for April 1.
Ireland and South Africa will play three matches each in Guyana with Ireland , the surprise qualifier from the Jamaica first round group facing England in their first Super Eight match in Guyana on March 30.
South Africa oppose Ireland on April 3 and Bangladesh on April 7 before the South American zone of the Super Eights conclude on April 9 when Ireland face New Zealand .
Many Asian fans and media workers, planning to make the trip to Guyana have cancelled their bookings after Pakistan and India (who would have played four matches between them in Guyana ) were knocked out of the competition.
While heavy rain in Guyana pose a threat to the matches, the Guyana LOC which has come under fire from the ICC for not being more efficient, is confident that the excellent drainage at the new stadium at Providence should significantly reduce the loss of playing time in the event of rain.
Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions should find the climatic condition in Guyana similar to their home Island and with the Providence track expected to be on the slow side with assistance for the spinners, should be favored to upstage the powerful South Africans in what should be keenly contested opening round match.
It is understood that tickets are still available for the Guyana matches but the absence of the likes of India and Pakistan and the fact England and West Indies will only play one game at Providence could adversely affect the anticipated large influx of visitors to Guyana for the mega event which has already been marred by the murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer and the poor crowd support in Jamaica, St Kitts, St Lucia and Trinidad.