Robert Bryan, executive director of Jamaica Cricket 2007 Limited.

Tournament director of the ICC World Twenty20 Championship West Indies 2010, Robert Bryan, is encouraging Caribbean nationals to take advantage of the event's "cheaper-than-usual" ticket prices and a two-week "first choice" purchasing window, which will be launched this weekend.

In an interview with The Gleaner Bryan, who was recently appointed to the post, said the prices of the tickets for the championship reflect the economic realities of the region and with the Caribbean getting a two-week exclusive purchasing window, it presents an ideal opportunity for fans to ensure that they enjoy cricket's newest showpiece event.

The event will be held between April 30 to May 15 at Kensington Oval, Barbados; Providence Stadium, Guyana, and the Beausejour Cricket Ground, St Lucia.

"At these prices, you aren't going to get a better deal anywhere to see the best of what the sport has to offer," said Bryan, in reference to the ticket prices, which will start from as low as US$5 (J$450) and go to a high of US$40 (J$3,600) on the day of the final.

"I want to encourage all those who are interested in attending to go out, get their tickets and get them early as the demand for tickets, especially from overseas, is rising each day," added Bryan, who was the executive director of Jamaica Cricket 2007 Limited.

The purchasing window, which will be officially launched by the ICC and West Indies Cricket Board WICB) in Barbados on Saturday, will see Caribbean nationals being given the opportunity to purchase tickets between November 1 and 14.

International sales

This period will be followed by that of the international sales.

Tickets will be sold online at www.iccevents.yahoo.com from Sunday, November 1, and from Monday, November 2, at ticket offices in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad.

Payment will be allowed via credit card online or at the call centre and via credit card, debit cards and cash at ticket offices.

Fans who purchase tickets between November 2009 and February 2010 will receive a booking confirmation or confirmation email and their 'souvenir' tickets in early April 2010 via courier or from a designated collection outlet.

"The tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and not only will fans be certain of securing tickets to the matches of their choice, but they will also be able to select the stand and the seating block in which they want to sit," said Bryan.

The event's three venues will also administrate one seating price, regardless of which stand a fan chooses, with prices varying according to the stage of the competition.

There will also be a women's version of the championship - which will have its preliminaries in St Kitts. Admission will be free.

Meanwhile, 10 per cent of all ticket quota per venue will be allocated to children under-16 free of cost.

Minimal restrictions

Additionally, a newspaper advertisement published last week announced that minimal restrictions will be allowed inside match venues and as such, spectators would be allowed to bring their "conch, horn and whistle" to the matches.

Bryan also pointed out that there will be attractive ready-to-made travel packages, which are being offered by Cricket Logistics, inclusive of transportation and accommodation, etc, of which he is also urging Caribbean nationals to take advantage.