Profits from World Cup to wipe out WICB's debt

Jamaica, July 11 (UNI) Empty stands, missing carnival spirit and early exit of India and Pakistan notwithstanding, a lacklustre ICC Cricket World Cup not only broke even but made such profit that it would wipe out the huge financial debt of the host West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Believe it or not, the ticket sales at the extravaganza, staged in Caribbean for the first time, garnered a whopping 32-million-dollars, more than the last to editions staged in England (1999) and South Africa (2003).

''We sold more tickets than the last two Cricket World Cups in South Africa and England and garnered 32 million dollars in ticket revenue which the ICC has told us is the highest ever,'' WICB president and Cup chairman Kenneth Gordon said in a statement.

''We compare very favourably with much larger countries that have hosted this event before.

''The profit from the event will also eliminate the deficit of the WICB and this augurs well for the future of West Indies cricket,'' he added The CWC was also marred by poor organisation and complaints of high ticket prices by the fans. The nail in the coffin came with the startling news of the the death of Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer who was found dead in his hotel room here a day after his team's shock defeat to minnows Ireland.

The final, staged in Barbados and won by Australia, was a rain-hit affair which was played in near zero-visiblity in the end courtesy erring match officials.

However, Gordon chose to highlight''high standard of organisation and worthy achievements, the Caribbean can be justifiably proud of.'' ''We broke new ground by hosting this event successfully in the Caribbean. Of course there are lessons we have learned and things which occurred that could not have been anticipated.

''The fact that we were able to effectively deal with the challenges is a credit to the excellent work and high quality of the management team. The staging of the Cricket World Cup was an experience we all take great pride in,'' he added.

UNI