Date:06/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/06/stories/2006030603701900.htm

Sport - Cricket

World Cup plans in place: Dehring

BRIDGETOWN (Barbados): With exactly a year to go before the 2007 cricket World Cup pre-tournament matches, the event's head has called for preparations to be stepped up.

Chris Dehring, World Cup managing director and chief executive officer, said on Sunday all plans were in place and the time had come for mobilization.

The pre-tournament matches will be played in the week leading up to the opening ceremony on March 11, 2007.

``The planning has been thorough, decisive and complete and, with just one year to go, it is now time for mobilization and action,'' Dehring said.

``We are the hosts, inviting the world to come and share this experience with us on our home turf and we all have a part to play which may seem individually small but collectively is large and powerful.''

Volunteers hold the key

Dehring added that the tournament's success would especially depend on the 5000 volunteers who would be key in ensuring that the experience for visitors is positive and memorable. Organizers estimate that more than 100,000 visitors will travel to the Caribbean for the tournament. — AP