All systems on go for World Cup says Kerr
By Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian)Three days before T&T host the second Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Nataki Kerr says she expects everything to be in place for a smooth running of the tournament.
Up to yesterday, work crews were working tirelessly to have the five stadia completed. The 16-team tournament will be played at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo; Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella; Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva and Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago. The tournament will be the second Fifa event hosted by T&T following its successful staging of the 2001 Fifa Under-17 Men’s World Cup, which has been hailed as one of the best ever in the tournament’s history.
Kerr, who was busy with meetings with Fifa officials and the LOC said work was continuing at the venues. “Work is continuing on a 24-hour basis and I’m hoping we reach a stage where we can be happy.” The LOC deputy CEO revealed that the venues were in need of much more work than was anticipated. “Unfortunately there were much more problems than we had anticipated. But we will have work crews around the clock until Saturday night and they are giving their best to make sure this country puts on a tournament of high quality.” With regards to the training fields, Kerr said all the teams have been putting them to use.
“The teams have been using the stipulated training fields and we have received feed back that they are satisfied. They have arrived safely and have settled down. We are also working to ensure that their stay is a most satisfying and comfortable one,” Kerr said.
On Wednesday, Fifa vice-president Jack Warner while speaking at the launch of the Fifa/Concacaf Women’s Football Regional Coaching Course had stated the world governing body for football had expressed mixed views on this country’s state of readiness.
Warner stressed Fifa was not happy with the playing surfaces dressing rooms, media centres, VIP areas.
But with the opening matches set for Sunday, Kerr was positive that all systems will be in place.
Late rush for ticketsKerr also commented on the late rush for tickets saying that the LOC has decided to shifting its ticketing sales operations to the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo for Sunday’s matches. “Because of the late rush and high demand for tickets, our office has decided that today, we will be distributing tickets for those who have already subscribed to the 800-FANS or the online website.
“For those who have not purchase tickets and still want to do so they will have that chance from tomorrow (Saturday) between 9 am and 3 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo as well as on Sunday.
With regards to the sale of tickets to date Kerr said patrons need to come out and support the young girls. “They deserve to get the full backing of the entire country. They have put in a lot of work over the past 18 months under coach Even Pellerud and his staff. “And it will be satisfying to see the public come out in their numbers and show their appreciation for what they have been doing,” said Kerr. She also stressed that she would rather people come out tomorrow to get their tickets which will help to lessen the work load on the LOC staff on Sunday. Supporters in Tobago can purchase their tickets from one of the tournament sponsors, TSTT which has been selling tickets via their outlets the Island.
