Dehring appeals to overseas Carribeans for support

Chris Dehring, the World Cup managing director, has called on Caribbean nationals in the United States to fully support the region in hosting international cricket's global event next year. "There's no need to hold back support," he told reporters during a promotion event in New York. "The rest of the world is seeing an incredible event taking shape in the Caribbean, and we want them [Caribbean nationals in the United States] to be part of it too. Therefore, please make your plans to come to the Caribbean or to watch what we're doing in 2007."

Apart from requesting unconditional support from his countrymen, Dehring thanked CARICOM (Caribbean Community) leaders for their support in hosting the World Cup. "They have come together because they want to make sure that we shine when 2007 comes," he said. "And it has been fantastic to see that type of cooperation, perhaps unprecedented in the history of the Caribbean."

Dehring added that skepticism about the region's ability to host the event had been dispelled by the strong organization and managerial proficiency shown at home.

"As we've seen concrete and steel come out of the ground, stadia construction schedule being met on time, operational plans being developed and rolled out and information provided to various stakeholders, I think that scepticism has started to dissipate," he said. "And people are looking on with a certain amount of admiration for these little countries in the Caribbean coming together and taking on Goliath. The point is, this Cricket World Cup train is gathering a tremendous head of steam, and is very much on track."