International Community Rallies Around ICC CWC 2007

As cricketers from 16 participating nations prepare to descend on the Caribbean with great fanfare, the region continues to get ready for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 with the assistance of many nations worldwide.

Several countries have had a significant input into tournament-related preparations. During a recent visit to CWC headquarters, Cricket World Cup Regional Coordinator for the U.S. Embassy in Barbados, Ann Jackson, disclosed that the US Government has contributed at least $3 million in training for CWC 2007.

“We have provided 80 training classes on issues such as port security, airport security, bomb detection, health-care sector management, resource management, traffic management, VIP protection and disaster management,” she said, adding that training for air marshals is ongoing throughout the Host Venues.

Additionally, the US Department of Homeland Security has facilitated the installation of the Advanced Passenger Information System “for the purposes of ensuring greater security” during ICC CWC 2007.

“APIS is now operational and going well I’ve been told. We anticipate that this project will be one of the legacies of the Cricket World Cup,” said Jackson, whose post took effect last October and encompasses the nine Host Venues.

Regarding the establishment of a special position within the embassy dedicated to ICC CWC 2007, she explained that the Event is seen as “very important” and therefore a central desk handling all matters concerning the tournament was created.