Organisers dismiss Guyana stadium rumours

Reports that plans for new stadiums to host matches in the 2007 World Cup are being blocked by local authorities have been dismissed by the tournament organising committee.

While several venues have come under the spotlight, the one causing the biggest concern is in Guyana. Earlier this week it was reported that there were problems associated with the construction of the new stadium in Georgetown. It was alleged that the ICC was unhappy with the firm contracted to undertake the work as it did "not have specific experience in the building of stadiums". The report also claimed that draft plans had been rejected, suggestions rubbished by the Guyanese government as "sloppy journalism".

"Reports of countries, specifically Guyana, having their stadium plans 'rejected' are just not true," Don Lockerbie, the World Cup venue development director told reporters. " We are working with each country diligently and daily to provide guidance to their LOCs (Local Organising Committees) and progress is very evident. The LOCs will present their latest plans on September 14 and together as an "all-star team" we will work to find solutions to any design issues not currently meeting the ICC's requirements.

"We are confident", Lockerbie continued, "that the professionals in each country and the local, regional and international design teams retained, are busy developing plans for venues that will make the West Indies cricket fan proud for many years to come.

"We have set timetables and guidelines that each country is obligated to meet and follow in order for our venues to be consistently state-of-the-art, to meet the rigorous mandates of the ICC, as well as to be completed on time."

Chris Dehring, the tournament's managing director, admitted that the preparedness of the LOCs varied, but insisted efforts were being made to bring those that are behind "up the curve as quickly as possible".

A report on the caribbeancricket.com website claimed that the ICC is debating the wisdom of spending around US$20 million on a stadium in a country bedevilled by economic problems. The report suggested that the International Monetary Fund, who are involved in trying to sort out Guyana's troubled economy, are also conducting feasibility studies on all large projects - and that would include the new stadium.