Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honour to share this historic occasion with members of the International Cricket Council, World Cup Committees, the West Indies Cricket Board, the Venue Assessment Team, and cricket lovers throughout the Caribbean listening to and watching the activities here in Montego Bay.
I take this opportunity, as Chairman of the Caribbean Community and as Chairman of the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub Committee on Cricket, as well as someone who is passionate about cricket and still finds much satisfaction in playing the game, to acknowledge all those hardworking people who have brought us to this momentous juncture. I venture to say, however, that the work has just begun!
Ladies and gentlemen, Grenada, for its part, has invested heavily in the promotion and development of sports and the appropriate facilities over the past nine years. It is, therefore, most heartening and rewarding when our policies and our investments redound to the benefit of our Country, our people and our Region.
With the timing of the venue hosting country announcement coinciding with the recently concluded CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, which Grenada was honored to host, it became very evident that every Caribbean leader understands that Cricket World Cup 2007 will be a vitally important event for all of us. We understand that the preparations for and the hosting of Cricket World Cup 2007 are, in essence, Caribbean Regional Integration in action!
Prior to the Heads of Government Meeting, the Prime Ministerial Sub Committee on Cricket made significant progress in addressing some of the challenges our countries face. As a result, Heads of Government succeeded in narrowing down agreements with respect to profit sharing.
I am happy to announce that, in a spirit of cooperation, the Heads agreed to a 75 -25 split in profit sharing from the television rights; with the West Indies Cricket Board receiving 75 percent and local cricket associations receiving 25 percent; at the same time making provision for allocating a share of 1.5 each to the Windward and the Leeward Islands Cricket Boards.
Other areas Heads are vigorously addressing include:
· transportation,
· sunset legislation and coordination of immigration and customs services;
· the provision of health care, emergency and other services;
· security issues and information sharing;
· as well as accommodation, which, we recognise, will require the involvement of the hotel and tourism sector, householders and the general business community alike.
Indeed, ladies and gentlemen, a successful Cricket World Cup 2007 will facilitate enormous gains in tourism, agriculture and other service sectors. The economic spin-offs will be there for every single member of CARICOM to realise when the matches are taking place and, indeed, long after the World Cup is over.
Ladies and gentlemen, previously, Cricket World Cups have been held in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Cricket World Cup 2007 will mark a significant change. Never before, has a group of small island nations undertaken the enormous responsibility of hosting such a major sporting event.
I believe, without a doubt, that we in the Caribbean have the will, the ability and the creativity to rise to the challenge and make 2007 the most memorable of all Cricket World Cups. I say this because, in the West Indies, cricket is the glue that binds us together. Each of our countries individually, and the Region collectively, have a rich cricket history. We have given much to the cricketing world.
With our significant contribution to world cricket, it is thus fitting that 2007 should be our year. Indeed, ladies and gentlemen, the Caribbean will be the showpiece of the cricketing world. Visitors to our shores and the millions of television viewers around the world will see the richness of our culture and the diversity and beauty of our Member states. Challenges will arise because of the magnitude of the task ahead. The ICC has set strict standards, to which we must adhere. However, we must also add our own flair and style.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we anticipate the Award of Matches, we understand that, from here on in, compromise and commitment will be the order of the day. We must remain proactive with our publicity and continue to manage our preparations carefully and efficiently.
The world’s greatest cricketer, our very own Sir Garfield Sobers, was of the opinion that it is not just physical talent that separates great players and good players. It is their capacity to identify the most important challenges in the situations they face and their ability to tailor their skills and resources to meet those demands. I suggest, therefore, that we take a page out of Sir Garfield’s book for the next three years of our World Cup preparation.
Let us, also, constantly remind ourselves that Cricket World Cup will only be truly successful with the full participation of our people. We must therefore mobilize and motivate our citizens to share ownership of this once-in-a lifetime-opportunity.
Finally, in working together as a united people in a united Region, let us ensure that we channel our aspirations, energies and resources towards the common goal of staging a unique, memorable and highly successful Cricket World Cup 2007.
Thank you.
