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| April 25, 2006 | Tuesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 26, 1427 |
Progress of new stadium on course
ST JOHN’S, April 24: Antigua & Barbuda and Chinese officials are upbeat about progress of work on new Sir Viv Richards Stadium which will host Super Eight, second round matches for next year's Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean.
At a ceremony to mark casting of roof on fifth and final floor of gigantic southern stand, officials spoke of pace of construction in last five months.
“Absolutely, it's a good feeling. The first ship came with all materials on Nov 14 and there was nothing except excavation work,” said Antigua & Barbuda's Ambassador to China, David Shoul, one of driving forces behind the project.
“So you can judge for yourself that within 150 days this is what has happened.
It’s almost unbelievable. At first when we moved from Antigua Recreation Ground, you thought would we every get that feeling but having come here so many times feeling is becoming to come.”
There have been fears stadia being constructed in several of host venues, will not be completed in time for World Cup which bowls off March 11 next year.
Shoul assured US$55 million project would be ready and that Chinese government would ensure this happened.
“They (Chinese) have been working really hard and are committed to giving us this stadium completed in time so that we can show the world we said we could do it.
“The government of China is standing behind us to ensure it happens.”
“I will use every endeavour to ensure it happens. We have got to show world, not only the Caribbean, that we can perform and we can do it. ''
Chinese Ambassador Ren Xioping said she was pleased with level and spirit of cooperation between both countries.
“I'm very excited because just a few months there was nothing here.
“I cannot express my excitement enough as I think this is crystal of cooperation between Chinese and Antiguan side.”
“We are very confident this huge, beautiful building will be completed in time or even ahead of time with best possible quality.
“Antiguan government and people will be very proud of it.''
SVR stadium should be ready in six months.
“January will see another ceremony as China officially hands it over Antiguan authorities.—Agencies
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