H.E. Mr. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister
National Address
On the Conclusion of Super 8 Matches for
ICC Cricket World Cup in Antigua and Barbuda
April 10, 2007
Fellow Antiguans and Barbudans
I address you this evening with a sense of pride and great fulfillment.
Pride in the fact that as Antiguans and Barbudans we stood out in our numbers to ensure that our many visitors and returning nationals enjoy the best that our twin island nation has to offer.
The hosting of Cricket World Cup Super 8 matches was not an easy task for us as a government and people to have accomplished.
Today I can say with pride - a job well done.
The energies and determination exhibited by all involved in the preparation stages for the event, was equally transferred to those involved during the staging of the games.
We prepared well. In many cases we were over prepared, but its always best to be caught over prepared than not being prepared at all.
Fellow Citizens:
Although our hopes for CWC success on the field of play seems to be fading, off the field we have much to be proud of and to celebrate.
Although we all would have liked to see the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground packed to capacity during all of the matches, Antigua and Barbuda was able to hold its own in achieving significant match attendances.
Figures for the final match between England and Australia, stand at just under 12, 000 with most spectators being visitors to our shores. Over 10, 000 spectators were recorded for the first Super 8 match on March 27.
I was heartened to hear from supporters of the Indian cricket team which did not make it to the super 8 phase, that they thoroughly enjoyed the Antiguan and Barbudan hospitality and the entertainment and atmosphere provided at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
Statistics show that the attendance at the various matches for the Super 8 phase were severely hampered by the absence of the Indian and Pakistan teams. The estimated eight to ten thousand fans that would have followed those teams throughout the games undoubtedly would have been a tremendous boost to the image of the games in the Caribbean.
However, Antigua and Barbuda can once again be proud that we have managed to capture a sizeable share of the television audience in Asia with the highest percentage of viewers recorded for the West Indies versus Australia game and the England versus Australia game played at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
We can also be proud that the over three hundred journalists who visited, left our shores contented with fond and positive memories of their stay in Antigua and Barbuda.
The promotion of Antigua and Barbuda to the millions of spectators via television was priceless. It is for us now as a government to capitalize on this opportunity to attract more visitors to our beautiful twin island nation.
The Ministry of Tourism is currently examining the possibility of extending its marketing campaign to the non traditional tourist areas such as parts of Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Our already vibrant marketing efforts in the UK and North America will also receive additional focus during the coming months.
I must commend the Minister responsible for World Cup the Hon. John Maginley and the Manager of CWC Antigua Inc. Mr. George Goodwin and his team for the remarkable job they have done in ensuring that the games in Antigua and Barbuda were successful.
Special commendation must go to Ms. Anika Kentish and her group of inspirational, enthusiastic and energetic volunteers for making the World Cup experience a memorable one.
You have given service beyond all of our expectations and your exemplary performance deserves the highest commendation from the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda.
You have demonstrated that you are more than just volunteers, but true ambassadors representing the best qualities we, as a people have to offer.
The volunteer initiative has been a major investment in terms of training - training that can be utilized long after World Cup Cricket. The CWC volunteer corps will be a legacy we can build on to ensure that we have a permanent national volunteer corps.
Fellow Citizens:
The Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, like the famous son whose name it bears, has stood out as one of the most impressive structures in the Caribbean.
We cannot thank the government of the People's Republic of China enough and the many individuals who worked tirelessly in ensuring that it met the required standards for hosting of the cricket matches.
One of my government's immediate tasks is to ensure that an effective and comprehensive management team is established to manage and maintain the facility. The SVCG must not only be a venue for international cricket games, but also a major facility for international festivals, concerts and conventions.
The government expects the support and involvement of the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Tourism, the Antigua Cricket Association and our local cricketing greats in the management and maintenance of the SVCG.
It must not become a facility that simply hosts World Cup Cricket matches, but a facility that has the capacity to host any international sporting, cultural and entertainment events.
At the next meeting of the Cabinet we will commence discussions on the composition of the management and maintenance body for the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
The government also extends heartfelt thanks to the government of the People's Republic of China for the provision of street lights from the V.C. Bird International Airport to the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
We look forward to further expanding our relations to include the lighting of additional highways on Antigua and Barbuda.
Fellow Citizens, residents and friends;
One of the legacies of Antigua and Barbuda hosting World Cup Cricket Super 8 matches is our ability to achieve despite the odds and criticisms. It demonstrated that as a people we can put aside our differences and join forces in achieving what is best for our nation.
The refurbished V. C. Bird International Airport stands today a proud symbol of what can be achieved if we all work together.
The expansion work at the airport has produced an additional departure lounge on the upper level of the facility with a capacity of accommodating over five hundred persons. Work will continue shortly with the addition of shops and a bar.
The VIP lounge has been expanded. The baggage hall of the airport has also been extended with the addition of a new carrousel and a new entry for in-transit passengers.
The cubicle space for immigration officers has been increased while the equipment for immigration and security officers have been upgraded. These developments have resulted in a dramatic decrease in visitors' processing time in the immigration and customs departments.
In a matter of days, work will commence on the overlay of the entire 9000 feet of the runway with 120 millimeters of topping. This work will in no way affect the smooth day to day operations of the airport.
In addition, the present runway will be extended westwards a further 240 meters, making it comparable with most major international airports.
During the coming weeks, work will also commence on permanently joining the parallel taxi-way with the active runway to facilitate a more rapid turn-over time for arrivals and departures.
Workmen will also begin work on increasing the current apron parking area of the airport by an additional forty to fifty percent. This too will tremendously improve the operations of the airport.
On the landside of the airport, work will continue on the new taxi road along with the rehousing of tour representatives and rent-a-car agencies which will aid in eliminating an ever present bottle neck at the arrivals area.
The Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation the Hon. Harold Lovell, CEO of the Airport Management Group Mr. Ken Hurst and their teams must be commended for the exceptional work they have put into the project.
I also praise the immigration, customs and security personnel at the airport for a job well done.
The excellent first time impression given to the over thirty-two thousand visitors who came through the airport between March 18 and April 7, will remain a lasting one for them.
I must also commend the Minister of Health the Hon. John Maginley for his work in ensuring that the country met its health requirements for World Cup Cricket.
The Mount St. John's Medical Centre made available one hundred additional beds and was prepared to handle chronic care if the need had arisen.
Government will now move to continue discussions with the American Hospitals Management Group on the public/private partnership while the completion of the construction work continues.
I must at this time praise the many local medical volunteers and those from the Republic of Cuba for the great service you provided during the games. Your readiness and assistance were greatly appreciated.
Equally commendable was the work of the Ministry of Finance in ensuring that monies were made available to complete the required works in and around the Cricket ground. Minister Willmoth Daniel and his team at Public Works also stepped up to the plate and delivered during our preparation stage. We praise them for the excellent transformation of downtown St. John's and anticipate further work throughout Antigua and Barbuda. Special thanks also to you the members of the public for exercising patience during the period of road works in St. John's.
Fellow Citizens, residents friends;
Antigua and Barbuda's hosting of Cricket World Cup 2007 has been an eye opener.
There are many things that we would change if given the opportunity to host similar events.
My government recognizes that while we aim at attracting some of the world's major events, we must not compromise our way of life to the detriment of our people. Our culture and uniqueness must always be maintained.
There is no doubt that many of us felt boxed in and severely restrained from enjoying our cricket Antiguan style.
As a government, we must also ensure that we create and maintain an environment where our businesses are given the opportunity to function on a level playing field.
However, I must commend the many young entrepreneurs, cultural performers and entertainers for their confidence, dedication and excellent performances during the hosting of the event.
To our many taxi and bus operators - you were true ambassadors of our nation.
The over one hundred and thirty-five thousand cruise ship passenger that graced our shores between March 13 and April 2 are sure to be return visitors because of your courteous and professional service.
I implore you to maintain that determination to provide high quality service all year round.
As we prepare to welcome over 2600 passengers aboard one of the world's largest cruise lines, the 965 foot QE 2, when it makes its inaugural call to St. John's on May 6, let us ensure that we exhibit the true Antiguan and Barbudan qualities for which we are well known.
Fellow Citizens, Residents and Friends;
A banner displayed by an English cricketing fan at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground on Sunday last that reads, “Thank You Antigua for a Wonderful Time,” sums up my thoughts this evening.
Enough praise cannot be showered on our security officers and their counterparts from across the region. The government thank you for a job well done.
As we move into stepping up preparations for the Caribbean's greatest summer festival, the fiftieth anniversary of Antigua's Carnival, let us all work together in ensuring that our music, mas and fantasy is truly celebrated.
As we also get ready to welcome thousands of visitors for the 40th Anniversary of the Stanford Antigua Sailing Week, let us exhibit our famous enthusiasm and energies that helped to make sailing week one of the most anticipated annual events on the world's yachting calendar.
The benefits that can be derived from hosting these events are enormous. But we can only reap the benefits if we all work together in providing the best service, entertainment and hospitality to our visitors and locals.
To the thousands of Antiguans and Barbudans who attended the Cricket matches, the government thank you for your support.
To all those who played major and minor roles in getting our nation ready, a heartfelt thank you.
Thank you for making our nation proud.
As we continue welcoming visitors to our shores for Sailing Week and Carnival and other activities, let us all remember to represent our nation well with our warm presence, friendly smiles and peaceful atmosphere.
Let us all give the best service we can possibly give to make our visitors want to return again and again to a land where the Beach is just the beginning.
Thank you and may God bless each and every one of us.
Good Night.
