400 days and counting until ICC Cricket World Cup 2007

Everyone involved in preparations for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 must be keenly aware of how much work remains to be done and use each of the 400 days left until the Opening Ceremony on Sunday March 11, 2007, to achieve as much as possible.

These words of wisdom have come from ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 WI Inc. Chairman Ken Gordon as the organisation today marks another significant milestone en route to the Caribbean hosting cricket's showpiece event in 13 months' time.

"We are really very close to the Event now and everyone must recognise the diligence, precision and enthusiasm with which we must all undertake our respective duties to ensure this is indeed the Best Cricket World Cup ever," said Gordon.

"All around us, a lot of work is taking place on venues and related infrastructure and various officials - from those in Cricket Operations to Ticketing to the countless volunteers whom we will rely on heavily - are readying themselves to welcome the world in just over a year from now. We cannot afford to be complacent or inattentive to the slightest detail."

Gordon, who is also President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), urged residents of the nine Host Venues - across which 51 tournament matches plus an official warm-up series will be played - to support their respective Local Organising Committee (LOC) and assist wherever possible.

"There will be several operational and voluntary functions to be carried out as we draw even closer to this landmark occasion. Cricket has always been a binding force among Caribbean people and this is a signal opportunity for the sport, which means so much for us as a region, to unite us in an even more meaningful way," said the Chairman.

Meanwhile, Venue Development Director of ICC CWC 2007 Donald Lockerbie noted this year is of paramount importance to the region's hosting of ICC CWC 2007. By the end of October, he reminded, all the "legacy components" of each stadium must be completed and ready for the overlay to commence.

"The overlay will outfit each stadium with all the temporary elements necessary to meet the International Cricket Council's tournament specifications. However, we cannot get to that stage without working purposefully each day, steadily chipping away at our targets and meeting every deadline."