Cricket fever is high in St. Kitts and Nevis with less than one week to go before the first ball is bowled in the ICC Cricket World Cup here. Following swiftly on from the pageant and razzmatazz of the opening ceremony on Sunday, St. Kitts hosts the second game of the tournament, Australia vs. Scotland on Wednesday 14 March.

Kittivisian Life spoke to the Chief Executive of the LOC – World Cup St. Kitts/Nevis Ltd, Mr Horatio Versailles to find out just how prepared we are for the influx of players, media and fans.

KL: Mr Versailles, no one could fail to notice the high level of activity around Basseterre at present. Are these just the last flurries or is there still a lot of preparation to be done?

HV: The preparations are coming along really nicely. We have just completed the final checks on some of the systems, including the video replay screen, the digital scoreboard, the TV system, the Tri-vision screens, which are all tested and ready to go. The Media Centre is also now fully operational and received accreditation today. The temporary press overflow facilities will be completed by Friday.

KL: Can you tell us what you think the impact of the tournament will be the on the region and on the Federation in particular?

HV: Significant impact. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has stated that the competition is a positive force for the economies of the region. LOC – World Cup St Kitts/Nevis Ltd took the decision early in the planning stages to make maximum use of WCC to impact the local economy, by ensuring that as many local businesses as possible benefited from contracts. So for example while the stadium architects and main contractor is from within the region, many small contractors were engaged in the construction.

Matches will also generate a fair amount of business to the economy, from support services such as transport to entertainment, local artistes and businesses will experience direct spin-offs.

In terms of intangible benefits; country recognition of St Kitts/Nevis will be immense. It is estimated that the tournament will generate worldwide audiences in excess of 2.2 million. Name recognition and image branding will bring benefits for the islands that are impossible to quantify monetarily.

KL: What further long-term benefits do you think might be experienced as a result of this huge undertaking?

HV: Well the effects on the sport should be tremendous, generating enthusiasm among the youth towards the game from both male and female young people. The vibrancy and health of the sport will benefit for years to come. In terms of the development of skills resulting from training involved in hosting an international event, skill sets such as planning, attention to detail will benefit the Federation considerably. This is as a result of the LOC’s decision to grow the required expertise locally and not to outsource to large events planners. I’m confident that The Federation now have individuals capable of organising large events, and not only sporting ones.

KL: Is there anything more you’d like to say to our readers?

HV: Just to go out and enjoy the experience. Tickets are still available for local matches, and I’m encouraging everyone to go out and purchase them. This is a historical, once in a lifetime event, something that people will be telling their grandchildren about.

I also want to thank the many employers who have released their staff to be volunteers for this event, their support has been tremendous.

KL: Mr. Versailles thank you very much for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to speak with us.

Photo Credits: Dennis Richards, Orita Bailey

Leave a Reply