Guyana’s first world cup match at the spanking new Providence Stadium came off smoothly yesterday to the delight of local organizers but only about half of the 14,800 seats were filled for the big-name encounter.
The nail-biting match between Sri Lanka and South Africa which roared to life late in the afternoon sets the stage for the successful staging of the five other matches in the aftermath of concerns about the state of preparedness of the stadium.
The gates to the Guyana National Stadium at Provi-dence opened promptly at 8 am but the organisers, volunteers and service providers were at their posts even before the break of day.
Spectators were generally high in praise for the assistance of the Indian government in the provision of a brand new stadium for the hosting of six of the ICC CWC 2007 Super Eight matches. However, they were disappointed at the infrastructural work outside the stadium, which looked much better than it did two days ago because of yesterday’s fair weather. The ICC/CWC was forced to appoint its own manager for the stadium because essential works were not completed and because it said it had lost confidence in the Local Organising Committee.
Many were also disappointed at the high prices they paid for seating in accommodation that provided no shelter from the elements. On arrival, many spectators had to mop up their seats or stand up and wait until they dried; they were soaked in early morning showers.
Outstanding in their service, were the volunteers; the members of the Scouts Association of Guyana, which included a scouts group from Linden; and the security services.
The drive to the stadium along the dedicated eastern lane of the four-lane carriageway to and from the stadium was fairly smooth. Parking was easy owing to the hard work of the members of the Scouts Association, many between the ages of 13 to 17 who worked professionally along with their leaders.
Fairly well-organised lines were already formed at the gates of the stadium by the time this newspaper arrived. People in the queues were being entertained by a group of tassa drummers. Beyond the turnstiles, a stereo sound system next to the ICC CWC West Indies Inc 2007 Mascot, Mello, belted out Guyanese and Caribbean popular tunes. A number of persons stopped and took photos there to record for posterity their attendance at the first world-class match being held in Guyana at the stadium.
Security at the check point said the spectators were very cooperative and there were no incidents.
By mid-day just about 4,000 people had arrived one of the organisers told the Stabroek News. Some 7,000 tickets were sold for the first match. The organiser could not say why the other 3,000 persons who had bought tickets had not showed up, but he said the tickets had been paid for.
While everything appeared to have gone off without a hitch in spite of the late completion or incompletion of work, Stabroek News learnt yesterday that some 300 persons from all categories of persons needing accreditation locally had not been accredited.
Rushmans Accreditation Manager Peter Osborn said he could not comment on the issue and advised this newspaper to contact the Local Organising Committee’s (LOC) Public Relations Officer.
Rushmans, in a press release earlier this week, had cautioned that because of the late handing over of its facility, it would likely experience challenges in the execution of its duties.
Around the concourse, CWC official merchandise stores and souvenir stores reported slow sales of items, but they hoped that during the remaining matches the sales would pick up.
The food items were a sore point for Guyanese who said very bluntly that they could not afford the prices. Apart from the prices, one irate female told this newspaper that she tried to buy KFC chicken and fries, but was told she could not buy less than five pieces of chicken. She did not need so much.
Many persons complained over Banks beer selling at $500 each. People however, welcomed the “Channa Man” also known as “Nut Man” and “Cheese Straw Lady” both popular figures at cricket matches at cricket matches at Bourda and around the country.
There were many excited overseas-based Guyanese, who returned to Guyana exclusively for cricket. One of them was Premnauth Singh of New York who said he returns to Guyana occasionally to take part in events that warrant his presence and the Super Eight matches was definitely one of them. He feels that the new stadium would be a big boost to Guyana and hosting the event with millions watching would be an added bonus.
He said he was initially cautious about security but was encouraged to come for cricket by Chief Executive Officer of the LOC, Karan Singh and he in turn encouraged friends to return. He said that about 100 of his relatives and friends have returned to Guyana for cricket and they came mainly from New York, New Jersey and Florida in the US and Toronto, Canada. He said they all bought the US$100 seats.
Apart from buying tickets for themselves, many also bought tickets for their relatives. However, many would be returning to their homes and work shortly after the match between West Indies and Sri Lanka. The US$100 and US$75 stands and the US$90 party stand were mainly patronised by overseas-based Guyanese and their local relatives, while the majority of the US$25 seats and grass mound – comprised the “real Guyanese”. The grass mound also appeared to be the liveliest part of the stadium with spectators revelling in the music from the adjacent party stand.
However, some patrons in the party stand were not happy about the service they received there. Lloyd Singh of New York thought that the party stand was “a rip-off.” The food, he said, was not well received and according to him, they could have had only eight drinks for the day. He said they were exposed to the blazing sun and there was not even a shed like there was in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago where he and his friends enjoyed the group stage matches before coming to Guyana. His group included some Trinidadians, who, he said, had come to party. He said he would have felt better on the grass mound where the people seemed to be having a better time. However, he has paid for all six matches and he would be attending all hoping that things improve.
Ram Das of Toronto, who also came to Guyana exclusively for cricket, said he has paid to see four matches and was very impressed with the new stadium but was disappointed with the immediate environment. He advised that the government complete the work outside the stadium to ensure its appearance is in keeping with the inside.
Allison and Michelle McLean from Atlanta, Georgia are in Guyana for cricket. They, like many other overseas-based Guyanese, will be here for the first three matches including the one with the West Indies after which they have to return to work.
Ken Jones of Matthews Ridge was enjoying himself in the party stand and his only complaint was the sun. He had tickets for the first two matches and having seen the first, declared he was going to try to get tickets for the party stand for Sunday’s match.
