CATEGORY:SPORTS(CRICKET)
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By Trevor Thwaites
Inside Grenada Correspondent
November 23,2006


ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - It is not yet official, but from all indications, it will be by December 1st, after the findings of final inspection of the National Stadium are analyzed. That’s according to an ICC team, which completed a one-day assessment last week Friday of the country’s readiness to host matches next year in the ICC Cricket World Cup. “That’s the stadium”, commented Venue Development Officer, Donald Lockerbie, who was heading a 25-member team on the visit to the Spice Isle.

The contingent later split into three teams for the inspection, and spent more than eight hours examining the various sections of the National Stadium, pavilions, the pitch and outfield, the practice venues at Progress Park in St Andrew and Lasagesse in St David. It was just after six in the evening when ICC Officials - Lockerbie and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Deheering, addressed the media. The CEO was high in praise for the local authorities for the work accomplished.

“The work is impressive. What’s happening here is a big moment for Grenada and the region. The Stadium is a major showpiece and it shows what can be accomplished by the region”, a tired but delighted Deheering said. The Venue Development Officer gave Grenada the “Thumps up”. He said that with about 10 and 15 percent of work to be completed, he is confident that the National Stadium will be one of the great facilities in the world.

Lockerbie too paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of the Grenadian people, who he said had to pick themselves up after the major setbacks of Hurricanes Ivan and Emily. He said that with Closed Circuit Television (CCT) Cameras already in place, the National Stadium is ahead of the facilities in Antigua/Barbuda, St Kitts and Jamaica. However, he indicated that all is not finished and that the country must not become complacent, but must now strive to get the stadium 100% complete.

He spoke about the external work that has to be completed including the ring road around the stadium, which is in progress, the supply of water and electricity and an efficient sewer system that is yet to be completed on the massive facility. Lockerbie is hopeful that the overlays, which will include areas like the Media and Accreditation centres and catering departments, will be in place before the National Stadium is officially handed over by the Chinese on February 19, 2007.

Officials have also expressed satisfaction with the bounce of the new pitches installed. New technology was used to test the bounce of the pitches at the National Stadium and the practice venues at Progress Park and Lasagesse. The bounce at the National Stadium was measured at 300, Progress Park 265 and Lasagesse 220. This according to Curator, former West Indies fast bowler, Andy Roberts, is quite good. He said that what they were looking for is consistency.

This was very evident in the short practice session done by members of the national team. Fast bowlers Kellon George and Neilon Pascal attracted a fair amount of consistency in their deliveries to Heron Campbell, who seemed at home with the new turf and Baptiste, who was twice bowled by George. The Turf had a bit of moisture from the preparation, during the practice session, but certainly dried out during the course of the day. Lockerbie said that the curator and groundsmen will continue to work to improve on the bounce and consistency of the turfs.