Groundswell Of Support (15 April 1999)
ST
15-Apr-1999
15 April 1999
Groundswell Of Support
The Barbados Nation
ST. GEORGE'S - Thousands of Grenadians and visitors crowded
outside the island's unfinished sports stadium at first light
yesterday for the sold-out One-Day International between the
West Indies and Australia.
Labourers and technicians who worked throughout the night were
putting last-minute touches to the BDS$70 million, 12,000-seat
Queen's Park when people started gathering, hours before the
official opening of the gates.
Some 15,000 eventually packed into the area, armed with airhorns
and other noise-makers.
"I don't want anyone to tell me about this match, I want to
witness it myself," said a 35-year-old teacher.
It's been 17 years since Grenada hosted an international and
tickets were sold out despite doubts about the new ground.
But Prime Minister Keith Mitchell assured people there would be
"a good day's cricket".
And the pitch proved perfect for batting, aided by a
lightning-fast outfield.
Queen's Park has become controversial because of questions about
why the government was building a sports stadium before a
much-needed new hospital - a position Mitchell has strongly
defended, saying one of them had to come first.
There also was speculation that Grenadians might boycott because
compatriot Junior Murray, a wicket-keeper, was not selected for
the match.
On Tuesday, Mitchell urged Genadians to "put your differences
aside and support the West Indies as a team".
Yesterday's crowd did.
Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)