SKNVibes | Letter Of Intent Submitted To ICC Cricket World Cup W.I. 2007

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Posted: Tuesday 9 March, 2004 at 5:19 PM

St. Kitts-Nevis Information Service

Basseterre, St. Kitts (March 09, 2004): St. Kitts and Nevis submitted a Letter of Intent to the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc. (ICC CWC W.I. 2007 Inc.) earlier today, signaling the desire to take part in the grand sporting spectacle.

This was confirmed via a press release from the office of Charles Wilkin Q.C., Chairman of the local bid committee. The release indicated that this is the first step in the bidding process which requires interested countries to submit their final bids by May 6, 2004.

The bids will then be assessed by the Venue Assessment Team, an independent body of international experts which has prior experience in world games and cricket world cups. The Venue Assessment Team will visit each country between that submitted a bid to review and evaluate the specifics. May 24 to June 11 has been identified as the period in which the trips will take place.

After this process is completed, the Venue Assessment Team will report to the ICC CWC W.I. 2007 Inc. The committee will then announce which countries can host matches on July 4, with a final decision on the awarding of matches due July 12.

The press release indicated that the local bid committee, working in conjunction with the consultants of Terra Forma Developments Ltd (the company which will redevelop Warner Park), are forging ahead in preparing the bid for St. Kitts and Nevis.

Bid committee chairman Charles Wilkin and Chief Executive of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority Christine Walwyn traveled to Barbados last Saturday, to attend Venue Summit 2.

The meeting was organised to allow persons to express concerns and seek clarification from ICC CWC 2007 Inc and Venue Team Assessment representatives on the Bid Book. The Bid Book, which arrived in St. Kitts on February 20, outlines the minimum technical, operational, legal and commercial requirements that countries must meet in order to host Cricket World Cup matches.

The ICC CWC W.I. 2007 has announced that subject to final ICC approval there will be four venues selected to host matches in the first round of the 2007 event. Four separate venues will be selected to host second round “Super 8” matches. Two of the first round venues will also host the semifinals and the championship game.

The country which hosts the opening ceremony will stage the first round group which includes the West Indies cricket team. West Indies, India, England and Australia will play in separate groups in the first round. Each first round venue will host a total six matches in that round. Four venues will also be selected to host warm up matches preceding the tournament.

Managing Director of Terra Forma Developments Ltd. indicated that with a few modifications the Conaree Playing Field, now under construction, will make an excellent venue for warm up matches.

Meanwhile, Minister of Sport Hon. Jacinth Henry-Martin says she is eagerly anticipating the approach of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and having the country share in this marvelous experience.