PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Organisers of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup were yesterday involved in a frenetic race against time to ensure the readiness of venues for tomorrow’s start of the competition.

Just days before the start of the September 5-25 tournament, work crews were working tirelessly to have the five stadiums completed.

Matches are scheduled to be played at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo; the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella; the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva and the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago.

“Work is continuing on a 24-hour basis and I’m hoping we reach a stage where we can be happy,” said Local Organising Committee deputy CEO Nataki Kerr.

“Unfortunately there were much more problems than we had anticipated. But we will have work crews around the clock until Saturday night and they are giving their best to make sure this country puts on a tournament of high quality.”

The 16-team tournament will be the second FIFA event hosted here following the successful staging of the 2001 FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Cup.

Earlier this week, however, FIFA vice-president Jack Warner said football’s world governing body was not pleased with the state of preparation for the tournament.

Of concern to FIFA were the playing surfaces, dressing rooms, media centres and VIP areas.

Kerr, however, remained optimistic that all systems would be in place for the launch of the tournament.