Managing Director of Windies World Cup 2007 (WWC), Chris Dehring, described meetings held with the Caricom Heads of Government as "positive", with strong support being voiced by the region's leaders for the Caribbean's efforts to host the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007.

Dehring was invited by the Caricom Secretariat to make a presentation to the political leadership on the plans for hosting the event at their annual Heads of Government summit, held July 3-5 in Guyana.

"The enthusiasm shown during the discussion following the presentation and the useful suggestions, certainly gave us the impression that they remain extremely positive in their support, conscious of the regions' collective responsibility in hosting this event," Dehring said.

"The leaders were also aware of the importance of their role in mobilising the necessary resources within their territories.

"We discussed a strategy which will require intra-regional competitiveness and tangible progress shown over the coming months as the ICC and the international media start to focus on the Caribbean when the 2003 World Cup in South Africa concludes in February." the WWC CEO added.

During the presentation, Dehring outlined some of the proposed elements of WWC's master plan that is being fine-tuned by an interim committee of West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). These include objectives and policies, which would guide the company's operations, including the set up of a separate board of directors and management for WWC, the wholly owned subsidiary of the WICB.

Dehring said: "This will allow the WICB to focus on the continued development of West Indies cricket so that we have a team capable of winning the Cup in our backyard, while WWC focuses on providing the teams, fans, media and officials with the best operational stage."

The Prime Minister's sub-committee on cricket, chaired by the Hon. Lester Bird, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, has been mandated by the Heads to maintain close dialogue with WICB as the plans develop and unfold over the coming months.

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