KINGSTON (CMC):

Two top Cricket World Cup officials have praised Caribbean governments for passing the Sunset Legislation, and say it is a major step towards the hosting of next year's tournament.

Chris Dehring, the CWC 2007 Inc. managing director and CEO, and senior legal counsel, Derek Jones, said in a joint statement yesterday the passage of the bill was an indication of the region's commitment to the event.

"ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc. and the Local Organising Committees (LOCs) of the nine host venues wish to thank the governments of the Caribbean for their commitment and determination in ensuring the recent passage of the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Bill in all countries which will next year stage CWC matches," the statement said.

Finest tournament

"The Caribbean is nearing the fulfilment of a decade-long journey to host cricket's finest tournament and with Sunset Legislation - as the bill is more familiarly known - now firmly in place, the essential regulatory and legislative framework have been established for managing CWC 2007 as obtains with all mega-sports events.

"It was imperative that all host venues have the relevant laws on their statute books in good time for the event and the CWC family is pleased that, give or take a few days, all nine have been able to meet the deadline of November 1, 2006.

"At present, the only nation yet to have the ICC CWC 2007 Bill ratified by its Senate is Grenada. It is anticipated that this will be done tomorrow (Tuesday, November 7, 2006)."

The legislation, which covers customs and immigration procedures, ambush marketing and security during the next year's Cricket World Cup, was recently passed by several governments, as host countries sought to avoid a late penalty from the International Cricket Council.

Dehring had also raised some alarm recently when he noted that those countries failing to pass the bill in time could also have their matches taken from them.

Dehring and Jones pointed out that following the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in India on Sunday, the eyes of the global cricketing fraternity would now be on the Caribbean "scrutinising its ability to deliver the sport's most prestigious event to the required world-class standards."

"The enactment of Sunset Legislation will ensure that a crucial element of the hosting requirements is appropriately met," they noted.

The Cricket World Cup gets under way with the opening ceremony on March 11 next year, at the Trelawny multi-purpose stadium in north-western Jamaica.

West Indies will clash with Pakistan in the opening game two days later, at the Sabina Park venue in Kingston, Jamaica's capital.