Local politicians, organizers squabble over tickets

Montego Bay, Mar 9 (UNI) Cricket officials back home in India can take heart, even here in West Indies, with just two days to go for the inauguration of the World Cup, the local politicians and organising committee members are openly squabbling over the (free) tickets.

The local media here has highlighted the fact that World Cup had brought no joy to politicians as the ICC and the organizing committee have resolutely refused to play ball when it comes to freebies for the local VIP's.

The politicians have adopted means to arm twist the organizers and as a result the event's organisers here have not been allowed to put up promotional material along the long road leading from Montego Bay to Falmouth, Trelawny's nearest large town. This is a practical problem as the stadium is set away from the road and cannot be seen from the North Coast Highway, which runs from Montego Bay to Kingston, the capital.

Yet, there are no banners or highway signages to be seen other than three or four small commercial hoardings and a few even tinier police lane directions. And this will apparently not change for The Observer quotes Falmouth mayor Jonathan Bartley as having said that since the CWC had failed to give his officers complimentaries, they would not give permission to put up the banners.

''We made a contribution of over 5 million dollar from the council's building fee,'' Bartley was quoted by the media. ''My officers worked alongside the local organising committee and now there are no tickets for them while other people are all over the streets are giving them away,'' he charged.

And this is not the end of organizers woes. They have the added headache of inadequate infrastructural facilities.

The Indians had a taste of it yesterday at the practice ground.

The venue was the St Anns Bauxite Club ground at Discovery Bay. As the name indicates, it is set inside a factory premises that is in keeping with the generally bucolic character of this part of Jamaica - more trees, streams and meadows than concrete structure.

''Six months ago, this ground had goats grazing on it. When I first came here, that is what I remember most. The people in-charge here have done a tremendous ground,'' said the International Cricket Council's general manager(cricket operations) Dave Richardson and the same story has been repeated across the Caribbean.

Every World Cup venue requires at least two or even three practice venues. In countries like South Africa where the infrastructure is already in place, it was easy.

The former South African wicket-keeper said, ''With so many international grounds needing renovation or reconstruction, it was a massive task to get these smaller grounds ready.'' ''But let me tell you, it is all worth it because it will benefit the game and that is what our aim is,'' he added.

''We hope this World Cup will be of a great help to the West Indies because Cricket is loved here,'' Richardson said.

UNI