Windies delegation to learn from South Africa World Cup

Caribbean countries hoping to host matches in the Cricket World Cup 2007 will have the opportunity of experiencing the behind-the-scenes operations, challenges and requirements of staging World Cup matches when an official Windies World Cup 2007 delegation visits the World Cup 2003 in South Africa.

Managing Director and CEO of Windies World Cup 2007, Chris Dehring has written to Caricom governments and local cricket associations inviting their countries' participation in the delegation that he will lead from February 25 - March 11.

Dehring explained that invitations were being sent to the heads of government because the leaders and the West Indies Cricket Board had agreed that bids for hosting World Cup 2007 matches would be submitted by each country and not just the cricket association.

"We would like Caribbean countries to be able to make the best bids possible for hosting World Cup matches. We are therefore assembling this delegation to offer the unique opportunity of learning from the experience of the only Cricket World Cup before 2007 so that each potential venue can ensure that infrastructure, facilities and arrangements outlined in their bid meet the required standard" Dehring noted.

Over the two-week visit Venue Delegates will also benefit from access to a specialist in world games organization, Don Lockerbie who is a consultant to the delegation. Lockerbie has extensive experience in venue assessment and development for events such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.

While in South Africa the delegation will tour venues, observe match day operations and benefit from meetings and seminars with venue operators, contractors and other organisations such as the International Cricket Council, the South Africa Cricket World Cup Organizing Committee, the Global Cricket Corporation - the main commercial rights holders for the event and Octagon CSI - an international sports marketing and television production company.