Workmen from the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation demolish buildings in the Corporate Area, at the concer of Barry and Church streets, downtown Kingston, yesterday, in preparation for the city's renovation for ICC Cricket World Cup. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
Security personnel and representatives from ICC Cricket World Cup will converge on the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium today for the start of a three-day series of
meetings and simulation exercises.
The meetings, which will be hosted by the Local Organising Committee (LOC), are intended to fine-tune security arrangements before the March 11 start of the Cricket World Cup.
John Collymore, director of security for the ICC Cricket World Cup Inc., said in a release from the LOC that "the meetings and exercises are crucial at this time and security directorate members will be focused on refining all operational procedures for the tournament. Particular focus will be placed on the integration of all safety and security measures and the linkages with other key functional areas."
Lisa O'Gilvie, LOC events, logistics and operations manager, said the meeting was "timely".
"With just about 40 days to go before the opening ceremony on March 11, one of the largest events of the entire tournament, it is timely that this meeting of the security directorate is being held in Jamaica. It gives us at the LOC the chance to carry out a number of simulation exercises as well as to work on integrating some areas of event operations," she said.
She added: "We will use the opportunity in a wider context and look at some of our operations. These will include medical emergency, security planning and operations, simulation exercise of the arrival of heads of state, teams, officials and sponsors as well as our volunteer programme. These exercises will assist us in identifying and determining any areas of weakness or gaps in preparation and planning."
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 will be staged in nine Caribbean countries during March and April. The tournament begins in Jamaica with the opening ceremony which will be followed two days later by the opening match between hosts West Indies and Pakistan.
Local sale of tickets for the tournament reopens on February 1 at the official ICC CWC ticket office at Shops 51 & 52 Kingston Mall, downtown Kingston, or online at www.cricketworldcup.com.
