Jamaicans Urged to Unite for CWC 2007

With a little over 50 days to go before Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 begins, Executive Director of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Robert Bryan is urging Jamaicans to come together in a united way, to ensure the success of the event. He was speaking on January 18 at a presentation and awards dinner, marking the culmination of the 2006 SDC/Len Blake Cricket Competition, organised by the South East St. Elizabeth Sports Council, at the Alpart Sports Club in St. Elizabeth.
“The ICC World Cup represents to the region and Jamaica, one of the largest stages that will ever be available to us to demonstrate to the world who we are, our culture and our country. We will have a chance over 59 days on the biggest television platform to influence some two to three billion people worldwide,” he said.
Mr. Bryan said this was why Jamaicans were being called on to “step up to the wicket” and to bat successfully.
“Like in many plays, we have to join together and do a production entitled, ‘Take Jamaica to heart’.our play will tell the world that we are a great people who have influenced the world in music, athletics, football, business and academia,” he said.
The Executive Director said that the achievements of many outstanding Jamaicans over the decades, such as Herb McKinley, Donald Quarrie, Merlene Ottey, Asafa Powell, Sherone Simpson, Veronica Campbell, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding would be clearly highlighted for all visitors to see.
“We will tell the world that we are a bold and creative people who live in the land of reggae music, that has produced some of the best musicians and artistes, such as Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Third World, Maxi Priest and Beres Hammond,” he said.
Mr. Bryan said it was very important that a very serious business-like attitude be adopted when dealing with our prospective visitors.
“We have to decide what is the story that we want the world to see and hear when they visit and watch television. As we proudly host the world, let us welcome them in style, show them our colours, show them our best.let us fill our stadiums regardless of the quality of the matches and, say welcome to Jamaica and to demonstrate that our greatest strength as a people is indeed, the love for our country,” he said.
Jamaica has been awarded the ‘Yellow Package’ of the Cricket World Cup, which means that the country will host warm-up matches, the opening ceremony and stage six first-round matches as well as a semi-final match at Sabina Park.