In a crucial step towards ensuring the success of the Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled for June 2024, officials from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) conducted a comprehensive venue inspection tour of the National Stadium, Providence, in Guyana.
The visit, which took place on Sunday, aimed to assess the state of preparations and facilities in anticipation of the global cricket spectacle.
Guyana is one of the host nations for the June 4-20 tournament, alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The inspection was a follow-up to the initial visit conducted in April, emphasizing the meticulous planning required for an event of this magnitude.
Head of Operations, K.J. Singh, and ICC Senior Manager for Host Compliance and Operations, Tulsa Woodham, led the assessment at the National Stadium.
Their evaluation focused on the scope of work required, particularly regarding the available space to accommodate various aspects of match-day operations.
Woodham explained the significance of the visit, stating, “Planning is going to intensify between now and tournament time in June next year, and so it’s very important for us to be here to review the status of construction, renovation, maintenance, and any other elements that have been confirmed into the report that was provided earlier in the year.”
The officials discussed the need for temporary overlay facilities to meet the minimum standards and tournament requirements.
This consideration is crucial in adapting to the advancements in technology and innovations in the game, which have evolved since Guyana last hosted matches in the World T20 in 2010.
Singh highlighted the collaborative effort involved in the preparations involving Cricket West Indies, the government, the territorial board, and the ICC.
He noted the substantial changes in operational requirements due to technological advancements and the increased personnel associated with modern broadcasting and digital operations in T20 cricket.
“Today, we’re looking at aspects of hospitality, ticketing, media and broadcast. Broadcast is bringing a big contingent…these stadiums were built in 2007 for a particular world event, and we successfully hosted the 2010 (T20) World Cup 2010 in the Caribbean. Still, the operational overlay then was much less than now,” Singh remarked.
The inspection considered the implications of technological advancements such as the Spider Cam and the expanded digital operations in the T20 format, necessitating additional operational spaces and requirements. Singh acknowledged the progress made but indicated the need to find more spaces, potentially through temporary overlays.
Following the visit, a comprehensive report will be presented to the government and the Local Organising Committee, outlining the following steps and stipulated timelines.
The officials expressed optimism about the progress made and their commitment to operationalize the National Stadium for the event next year.
Similar inspections have been conducted in the other host nations, with follow-up visits planned in the lead-up to the global event.
Specific focus areas include Pitch and Outfield, Security Operations and Planning, and Safety and Medical.
Notably, the USA is set to co-host the event for the first time, with matches in Dallas, Florida, and Nassau County, adding an exciting international dimension to the tournament.
