$1 billion boost!

JOHANNESBURG - The 2007 Cricket World Cup could be a billion-dollar industry for the Caribbean. So says Chris Dehring, head of Windies World Cup 2007, the company formed by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to plan and manage the tournament.

He said he was expecting the next tournament to inject US$500 million into the economies of the Caribbean countries.

"Having seen the contribution of the 2003 World Cup to South Africa, I'm confident of US$500 million being injected into the Caribbean when we host the tournament," Dehring said yesterday.

He is heading a delegation of West Indies cricket and government officials to observe the organisation and conduct of the World Cup in South Africa.

The scale and organisation of the tournament was impressive, said Dehring, who promised the West Indies would deliver an improved version.

"The World Cup has brought tremendous tourism and economic drive to South Africa and we're hoping to replicate the success in the West Indies.

"This has been the best World Cup ever, and it will remain so until 2007 when we'll raise the bar further."

He said the geography of the West Indies posed challenges but would "add a distinct West Indies flavour to the cricket World Cup".

The backing of Caricom governments was essential for the successful conduct of the World Cup.

"The Caricom officials know, we know and the world knows that the World Cup cannot be staged without their assistance," he said.

"South Africa has been able to create an atmosphere where everyone got involved in the World Cup. We're taking back ideas to be adapted to the West Indies scenario. We'll bring the West Indies pride into the World Cup's organisation."