WI Could Lose 2007 World Cup - Rousseau

Former president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Pat Rousseau has expressed his concern about the region's readiness to host the 2007 World Cup tournament.

Speaking on a BBC Caribbean Sports programme, Rousseau said the region can lose the franchise for staging the world's most prestigious cricket event because "the ICC (International Cricket Council) has the power to take away the event from the West Indies."

His major troubles were with the playing facilities, travel and immigration in the region.

He stressed: "West Indies has been given host status on the condition you prove your ability that you are ready on time for the event. I don't want us to lapse into complacency.

"If we are not well on the road in our preparation by 2005, the ICC has the power to take it away from the West Indies. It's simple as that."

He lamented each country in the Caribbean has its own customs and immigration checks and this also could affect the logistics of hosting the premier event.

Rousseau stated: "We cannot have 10 or 11 customs and immigrations to clear. It is nonsense.

"We have to do what Australia did, what every host does to an event like that. They put in place what they call sum-set legislation, which goes in the books for 90 days," added the Jamaican business executive.

Rousseau declared only Grenada has the playing facilities to host World Cup matches.

Rousseau and his vice president, Clarvis Joseph, received strong opposition from other executive members of the WICB last year. The other members refused to accept the manner in which the business of the WICB was conducted and rebelled against certain decisions that were taken by the two-some.

The firing of Ricky Skerritt by the board's chief executive officer, Gregory Shillingford, caused a furore and eventually forced Rosseau and Joseph to resign their positions.

Since, they were replaced by former West Indies Test fast bowler and former Barbados Minister of Sports Rev Wes Hall and former Leewards executive Val Banks. Skerritt was re-instated and still is serving as manager of the West Indies Test and One-day teams.

* SOURCE: Trinidad Guardian.