Castries The West Indies Cricket Board expects some US$500 million to be generated across the Caribbean when the ninth Cricket World Cup is staged in the region.
Speaking at an awards ceremony to honour 25 of the regions most outstanding personalities on Wednesday night, WICB President Pat Rousseau said the World Cup will be a massive undertaking with great economic potential.
The Caribbean was recently awarded the World Cup for the first time by the International Cricket Council and plans have already started for its staging in 2005 or 2007.
Regional heads attending the summit were briefed by the WICB about some of the requirements for the successful staging of the Cup and they have agreed in principle to support all efforts.
Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of CARICOM, outstanding sports personalities were recognised at the regional level for their excellence in various disciplines.
Bajans on list
Several Barbadians were among the honourees including former Test cricketer Malcolm Marshall, former ICC President Sir Clyde Walcott, journalist Tony Cozier, draughts champion Ronald Suki King, and Olympic swimming finalist Leah Martindale.
Others recognised for their outstanding contribution to regional sport included former West Indies cricket captain Clive Lloyd, current captain Brian Lara and Jamaicas World Cup captain Warren Barrett.
Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur presented some of the awards while others were presented by Dominicas Prime Minister Edison James and Dr. Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The audience also saw a specially produced video of West Indies cricket over the years, which, among other things, featured the history of the game in the Caribbean as well the glory years of the teams under Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards.
Sir Clyde Walcott, also a former Test player and one of the famed three Ws, spoke on behalf of honourees and said the awards were significant as they were recognition from the governments of the region and superceded those from individual territories.