JAN 24

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell says the prospect looks "extremely good" for Grenada hosting at least a semi-final match in the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean.
He made the disclosure last Tuesday during a press conference held at the Ministerial Complex building in the Botanical Gardens, St. George's.

The Grenadian leader, an ex national cricketer and a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) sub-committee on cricket, said the country has been working hard to host as much games as possible for the World Cup.

Several countries in the region as well as Florida and the Bahamas have been upgrading their facilities in order to attract some of the major matches involving the popular cricket teams that are expected to take part in the tournament.

Dr. Mitchell disclosed that Grenada has been working with a Consultant and the Ministry of Sport in putting together a plan to improve the facilities at the multi- million dollar sporting Stadium at Queen's Park.

Work on upgrading the Cricket Stadium is expected to commence some time this year and will entail the redesigning of the players pavilion, the building of corporate boxes and improvements to the media pavilion.

According to the Prime Minister, limited major work will be undertaken on the stadium since the island has been advised against spending monies on the facility when temporary arrangements can be put into use for the occasion.

Dr. Mitchell said the reality of the situation is that after the World Cup ends there would not be a need for a facility in Grenada to host between 40 and 50,000 people.
He stressed that the maximum amount of persons in the upcoming years that one will find in any game in Grenada is about 20,000 spectators .

Prime Minister Mitchell said that as soon as the methodology for the dates of the matches are released, government will ensure that the amount of games Grenada gets is based not only on the Stadium at Queen's Park but other factors. These include security, hospitality of the people, room space, and transportation among other things.

DR. Mitchell said: "We are looking forward to hosting some of the major games. I am not going to tell you that we have an excellent chance to get the final game.

"You and I know the harsh realities of regional sporting politics but I believe we have a good chance of hosting a semi-final game", he added.