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Contact:
Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary
Thursday, October 26, 2006 – Minister for Education, Human Resource
Development Youth and Sport Honourable Mario Michel piloted the Cricket World
Cup Bill through Parliament Tuesday morning.
Termed “Sunset Legislation” because it will expire after the event, the Bill
allows for Saint Lucia to fulfil its commitments to the efficient and effective
staging of Cricket World Cup 2007.
In presenting the Bill for its second reading, Mr Michel says Saint Lucia had
the expectation for sometime now about hosting this prestigious event and as
such had already put all in place to ensure the island would be able to
participate in this world class event.
Mr Michel says the construction of a cricket stadium was a first step to
realising the islands' cricket hopes and that the Bill was aimed at pulling all
activities together as Saint Lucia takes it place among nations with a proud
history of achievement.
He explained that Saint Lucia continues to be way ahead of most other venue
territories in its preparations for the World Cup. The island has also been
witnessing a boom in construction in the tourism and hotel sector as the private
sector takes advantage of incentives offered for Cricket World Cup.
Mr Michel also indicated the provisions of the bill will cease to exist after
June 30, when the World Cup will have ended.
Saint Lucia will host the prestigious Blue Group, anchored by the English team.
The island will also host one of two semi-final matches. Other teams expected
here are New Zealand, Kenya and Canada.
With the passage of the Cricket World Cup Bill through its second reading, the
Government of Saint Lucia has joined Barbados and Saint Kitts and Nevis in
paving the way for hosting the island’s share of Cricket's biggest event.
The bill was passed without opposition.
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