CRICKET FANS worldwide will soon be able to get their hands on the Official Souvenir Guide for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.

The first official publication for the eagerly-awaited tournament will hit bookstores and select locations throughout the Caribbean and the rest of the cricket-playing world - including Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom - later this month.

Produced by The Nation Publishing Company Limited in Barbados, the 132-page magazine provides a wealth of detailed information on the event, from profiles of the 16 participating nations, to players to watch, highlights of previous ICC Cricket World Cups and a breath-taking showcase of the nine Caribbean host venues.

"True cricket fans will be clamouring to get this book. It will be a collectible," said ICC CWC 2007 commercial manager, Stephen Price.

"It is the definitive tournament guide and it covers a wide range of topics from teams, to the host countries, to features on the Caribbean's rich and colourful cricketing culture. We expect it to be in great demand."

Proud

Stating that ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc. is "very proud" of the Official Souvenir Guide, he applauded the fact that it was "born and bred in the Caribbean and is testament to the world-class ability and talent within the region."

"The Nation has worked diligently to get this publication out in the required time frame and they have done an excellent job," said Price.

Meanwhile, CEO and publisher of The Nation, Vivian-Anne Gittens, said the regional media entity was "very excited with the Official Souvenir Guide."

"It's the first publication we have done for the ICC Cricket World Cup and it demonstrates that a Caribbean company can create a product of exceptional quality for the global arena.

"We have been receiving positive reviews from our international partners and are confident that cricket fans around the world will want to secure a copy of this guide as their official and authentic source of information for the ICC Cricket World Cup," she said.

The Nation, which was awarded CWC's Licensing and Merchandising contract to produce the official publications for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, will also be responsible for official match programmes (including official scorecards) and the official commemorative book.