LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Top officials of the International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday reiterated their full support of the Local Organising Committees (LOC) across the Caribbean, saying all venues will be completed on time as the 2007 Cricket World Cup draws near.

Percy Sonn, the ICC president, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Malcolm Speed, who met with other major players of next year's tournament over the past three days, also stated they were eager to return in March as a wonderful tournament is expected.

"It's great to come here and see the progress being made by the various Local Organising Committees throughout the West Indies and the progress being made by Cricket World Cup," said Speed at a press briefing at the Hilton hotel yesterday.

"There is still much to be done and we can't relax; great attention must be paid to detail. From now we need to focus on the playing conditions to make sure they are of a very high standard because ultimately this event will be judged on the cricket that is played here.

"Jamaica is further ahead than South Africa was at the same time when we were preparing to host the tournament in 2003," added Sonn, who was then the president of the United Cricket Board of South Africa.

Sonn also pointed out to West Indies Cricket Board President Ken Gordon, who was also at the press conference, that he should prepare to embrace a new wave of enthusiasm for cricket as a result of hosting the World Cup.

"We have noticed in southern Africa after the previous World Cup there was a total emergence and effluence of growth of cricket among the youths and new heroes were born," Sonn recalled.

Chris Dehring, CEO and managing director of ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc., said equally important to ensuring the stadia are ready and everything is in place, the world needs to be made aware of the event.

"What you are going to start to see over the next seven months is a heightened awareness across the world and so you'll start to see far more promotion and marketing of the event," Dehring stated. "That of course was re-ignited last month when we had an event-launch in India - the world's largest cricket market."

Dehring said this launch was highly successful and others are planned for the United States and England.

Addressing pitch preparation, the CEO used Sabina Park as an example. Previous to the second one-day match between India and the West Indies on May 20, there were heavy rains and many thought there would be no play. But the water soaked right through the pitch allowing almost a full day's play.

"That has all been a result of the type of standards set," Dehring pointed out.