Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Bryan
JAMAICA CRICKET 2007 Limited, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the ICC WI CWC 2007, has accepted in principle the role of executive producers for the opening ceremony of the global championship which will get under way on the 11th of March next year.
The LOC, on the request of the Cricket World Cup Incorporated, accepted the position a little less than two weeks ago and are now currently analysing specifics in terms of what it will take to host the gala event.
"We have just now begun to develop final plans for the opening ceremony and we will communicate as they take shape and are finalised and approved," said executive director of the LOC, Robert Bryan, at the Rotary Club of Kingston's weekly luncheon at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Thursday.
"This is another specific responsibility that we have just signed on to, primarily because of the extreme importance of the event particularly as it relates to Jamaica," he added.
WORLD CUP A CATALYST
However, even as plans continue to unfold for the production of the showcase event, Bryan encouraged the country to see the World Cup as a catalyst to facilitate the country's development.
He stated that benefits that can be derived from the event have a lot more to do with Jamaica and its preparation for the event rather than the cricket events themselves.
"The truth of the matter is that there are only limited spaces available inside the stadium for persons to sell. Even in the licensing and merchandising arena there are limitations as to the number of persons who will provide opportunities," he said.
With the nation in the spotlight for the 69 days that the event will take place, the executive stressed the importance of marketing a positive image.
"Vital to what the country takes out of this event is very much tied into how we understand, prepare for and position that brand that is called Jamaica."
With tourism being introduced to Kingston on a grand scale for the first time, the area of Kingston and particularly downtown Kingston is scheduled for a major upgrade.
Some of the plans unveiled by Bryan includes working with
the Kingston and St. Andrew Coprporation (KSAC) and Urban Development Corporation (UDC), supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and key members of the private sector to create a modern waterfront facility by the end of this year. The craft market will also be renovated by December.
RENOVATION AND REMODELLING
There is an agreement between the LOC, UDC and Kingston City Centre Improvement Company (KCCIC) for renovation and remodelling of the St. William Grant Park, which should be opened ahead of schedule for this Christmas. In addition to this, a commitment has been given by KCCIC for the relocation of bus terminals from central downtown by February of next year.
"We are planning on that committee to host a number of activities in that space downtown and to facilitate commercial activities that could come from that," Bryan remarked.
In addition to these plans the official ticketing centre for the ICC WI CWC 2007 will be located on Ocean Boulevard, downtown Kingston.
"We believe that if we focus and continue on that path then there are a lot of benefits that will arise to Kingston out of that, because the area has the potential to become a major centre," he said.
Hope Gardens will be designated as the official cultural and family entertainment centre for the tournament period. This is expected to be one of the many "Team Jamaica Villages" - specially organised centres that will work as commercial areas for licensed and official vending and serve as entertainment zones. Work is also expected to be done in Trench Town in an attempt to make use of the area's historical value.
