Speed lauds local organisers for smooth opener

Kinsgton, Jamaica, Mar 14 (UNI) ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed has lauded local organisers here for the smooth start of the cricket World Cup with the match between the West Indies and Pakistan at Sabina Park.

''I am very impressed with what I have seen, the facilities are impressive,'' Mr Speed said.

Thousands of fans, most of them Jamaicans, including politicians and public sector workers, turned up to watch the tournament lung opener yesterday.

''The atmosphere here is great and the people are lovely ... and the grounds are beautiful,'' he said Mr Speed said he was not surprised by what Jamaica has delivered to the region.

''I have been coming to board meetings to discuss the preparations to the showpiece event every quarter for the three years and I know the tremendous amount of hard work that has gone into the planning.

''I would have been surprised if there had been problems,'' he said.

Over 16,000 tickets were sold for the game and except for a few hundred empty chairs, Sabina Park was occupied.

However, only few hundred Pakistani supporters turned up.

UNI