CATEGORY:SPORTS(CRICKET)
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By Trevor Thwaites
Inside Grenada correspondent
Sunday November 26,2006


ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada - The National Cricket Stadium, which is now nearing completion for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, is said to be among the best facilities around the world. That’s according to Venue Development Officer Donald Lockerbie. “I am very comfortable with the stadium. It is one of the great stadiums in the world”, Lockerbie told reporters in St George’s some time ago after completing an inspection of the facility.

The inspection was the final in a series, which began earlier in the year that will give the country the green light to stage matches in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in the region. Lockerbie paid tribute to the skills of the Chinese contractors, who he said has constructed an impressive stadium. Chief Executive Officer of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Christopher Deheering has described it as a major regional showpiece. “It’s a tribute to what we can accomplish”, he said.

Sports Minister the Hon Roland Bhola and Prime Minister the Right Hon Dr Keith Mitchell have said time and again that they have been told by ICC officials that the facility is among the top four facilities in the world. They have been paying glowing tribute to the Government and People of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), for constructing the US$40 million Cricket Stadium.

The Stadium’s capacity is 15,900. It comprises four stands – the members or south stand, the western and eastern stands and the posse stand. There is also State of the Art pavilions for the players and media facilities with the latest technology. As stipulated by the International Cricket Council, the National Stadium is also equipped with a Venue Operating Centre (VOC), which is said to be most crucial in the effective and efficient discharge of the six matches to be played here.

It will manage the operations and will accommodate officials from the management committee, ICC, medical, security and volunteers. The National Stadium is fitted with 90 Close Circuit Television Cameras so that that VOC will be constantly in touch with what is happening in an around the National Stadium. The VOC has become an essential part of world class events in an attempt to fight against the threat of terrorist activities and other acts that maybe perpetrated to disrupt the games.