Dry run 20/20 match good simulation of actual CWC event
- President Jagdeo

Georgetown, GINA, February 16, 2007

Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo at 20/20 Cricket match between the Young Warriors of Berbice and the Georgetown Cricket Club at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

With less than a month before staging Cricket World Cup, Guyana’s preparedness for the super eight matches is advancing with a simulation of the big games undertaken by the Guyana Local Organising Committee (LOC) today at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.
            Present at the 20/20 Cricket match between the Young Warriors of Berbice and the Georgetown Cricket Club was Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo who deemed the attempt by the Local Organising Committee a good effort.
“I saw a lot of the logistics that would be necessary for World Cup Cricket being tested here, and I think from what I have heard so far that the testing went well. There are still some issues that we have to work on,” President Jagdeo commented.

The Head of State said Guyana is one of the CWC venues that undertook to simulate a scenario when thousands of visitors arrive for the games next month.
“I think we are one of the few countries actually testing our stadium,” the President said, noting that the exercise has highlighted some minor glitches.
“We had a bit of traffic jam but, that was largely because of the construction work being done on the bridge next to Buddy’s hotel.”

He explained that the construction in progress on the East Bank Demerara is to widen the road to facilitate smoother traffic flow in the area for the upcoming games. Work is expected to conclude before the games start on March 28.
            “ I am sure that all the issues that we still have to work on, the minor things in terms of organisation, were noted and we can improve on them but, overall I think it was a good effort.”
After the game, the Head of State accompanied by Technical Consultant of the Stadium, Walter Willis and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana LOC, Karran Singh checked on the minor works still to be done for the full completion of the stadium.
            Singh said the dry run is a requirement of the International Cricket Council in preparation for CWC.

            “It’s always good to rehearse what you are supposed to do. Once you rehearse, you find the weaknesses to rectify,” Singh explained.
On February 19 the LOC will discuss a check list of the difficulties noted. According to Singh, work will commence immediately to rectify them.
All works at the stadium are expected to be completed before it is officially handed over to CWC on February 19.
      Young Warriors of Berbice emerged the victor at the game and the team’s coach was presented with the winner’s trophy by the Head of State.

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Thousands turn up for a first time experience at National Stadium

Georgetown, GINA, February 16, 2007

For many, witnessing a local cricket match at Guyana’s magnificent facility, the National Stadium at Providence was a first time experience and a chance that many never come again.
The stadium was today the host venue for the exciting 20/20 match between the Young Warriors of Berbice and the Guyana Cricket Club (GCC) team. The event organised by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the Guyana Cricket Board was a simulation exercise for CWC. Young Warriors won the match with a 98 for 6 victory over the GCC team.

Cricket enthusiasts turned up at the stadium in high anticipation, long before the gates were open at 11:00h. Volunteers and security personnel were the first to be put to the test as they began screening, checking tickets and directing the spectators to their allotted seats locations.
After experiencing the feeling of being seated in areas which, at the real event would cost up to US$100, US$90, US$70, and US$25, many were convinced that Guyana “looks ready” for Cricket World Cup (CWC).
While reflecting on this fact, some regretted that they will not be present at the stadium to witness the real event which is listed to kick off on March 28 because of not purchasing a ticket. For others, it was a reminder to get their tickets before the final phase of the ticketing process comes to a close.
Miner hiccups had surfaced at the gates after the 10, 000 plus tickets printed were insufficient for the number of people including school children who turned up, but with intervention by the LOC officials, these problems were resolved and by 11:20 the gates were open.
Enthusiasts were impressed with the manner in which the volunteers and security personnel demonstrated their services.

Among the excited spectators were several school children from as far as Linden who got a first hand look at the stadium. For some like the West Ruimveldt boys’ choir who performed at the stadium’s dedication ceremony last year, it was no new experience.
The spectators were treated to a special visit by “Mello” the official mascot for CWC, who along with a small contingent of school children carrying the slogan “Unite for Children: Unite against AIDS” on their jerseys marched around the stadium to the CWC theme song.
Mello, who will be visiting several schools around the country to spread the message about HIV/AIDS, sat among the spectators during the course of the game.