Grenada is ready

Tue, Apr 21, '15

by MICHELLE MCDONALD

Grenadians protested when Minister Emmalin Pierre confirmed the whispers that the annual Intercol games for secondary school athletes would not be held at the National Stadium. The Government reasoned that the slated dates of March 6, 11 and 12 were too close to the all-important second Test against England scheduled for April 21 – 25.  

Their decision was made after consultations with stakeholders so it was not done lightly.  Still, the locals bemoaned the chosen Progress Park venue in the Northeast before the games, adamant that it would not be ready, citing logistical and other challenges. Tonight, the Minister for Youth, Sports & Religious Affairs and stakeholders were vindicated when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) declared that the Grenada venue is ready.

Speaking as a guest on Grenada Broadcasting Network’s (GBN) ‘Beyond The Headlines’ call-in programme on the eve of the Test match, WICB’s Commercial Manager Nelecia Yeates first thanked the Government. "It has indeed been a pleasure to work with them," said Ms Yeates. She then singled out Minister Pierre who was present, saying that it is not often than the WICB Events team has the opportunity to work closely with a Government Minister. "She made herself available and as a result, you have a stadium that is ready," said the Commercial Manager.

Minister Pierre explained that from the moment it was announced that Grenada would host this Test match, Grenada started to plan. A National Committee consisting of 11 heads of sub-committees such as Cricket Operations, Health and Security was formed.

Appearing later on the programme, Grenadian retired Test player Rawl Lewis who is a Cricket Project Officer also had praise for the Sports Minister. "I have to take my hat off to Minister Pierre and her team. I went into the stadium and I said "wow" when I saw how the facilities and field looked. When our team goes to a venue, we look for minute details. I went to the changing rooms, sightscreens, pitch, outfield and scoreboard. Everything was in order," Lewis said. Minister Pierre had earlier said the scoreboard was the last thing to be signed off.

Speaking to the media before Sunday’s practice, West Indies opening batsman Grenadian Devon Smith said he has never seen the ground look so beautiful.  "The people involved put a lot of work in because it is a Test match and we don’t get these Test matches as often as we would like," said Smith, who is set to become the first Grenadian to play a Test match in Grenada.

Minister Pierre confirmed that ticket sales have gone past a total of 11,000. Past President of the Grenada Cricket Association Garvin Taylor, who appeared later on the programme, explained that a high percentage of sales are for the first and second days since fans are always weary of how long the match would last. He said that from indications on Monday afternoon, with locals turning out to buy tickets and people coming into the stadium and seeing the condition of the field and the whole enclosure, more Grenadians are purchasing tickets.

On an earlier news item on GBN, Carl Felix who is the Ticket Liaison said "we are last minute people. From the crowd that we have been seeing Friday, Saturday and today (Monday), we feel we will have a large number of Grenadians."  He also explained that the WICB has a policy of not selling tickets so early for Day 5, which is Saturday and the day most working persons would be able to attend. 

Nelicia Yeates said that ticket prices for Grenadians were subsidized by the Government and that WICB allocated a specific amount for the Tour Operators so that the venue does not look all English. "Once the Grenadian fans come out and support Devon and his team mates, we will have a nice mix in the stadium. That home support is so important to the guys on the field. The game is on. It’s in your venue. Let’s come out and rally the guys," she said, reminding the audience that a win for the West Indies will give them 9 points.

A motorcade was held on the weekend before the match and served to drum up support. The festive feeling has carried over. As one caller to Monday’s GBN programme from rural Grenada put it "it’s just like the night before Soca Monarch," a popular Carnival event.
 
Nelicia Yeates said that an England tour is not difficult to sell. "Most venues bid to host such a match. Grenada’s bid was one of the stronger bids," she said. Minister Pierre relishes the marketing opportunity of hosting a Test match involving England, as well as the economic benefits.

Garvin Taylor recalled the keen rivalry which has existed between West Indies and England since the 1960s.  The drawn first Test has given fans hope in his opinion. "When we look at what happened in Antigua, it gives us the feeling that we have moved upwards," Taylor said.

When the sun rises in St George’s at 5:52 on Tuesday morning, it will signal the start of an historic day for Grenada. They are ready.