St. John's (Antigua), Nov 16: Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister has said his country must build a new stadium if it wants to host the 2007 cricket World Cup. Prime Minister Lester Bird said the Antigua Recreation Ground, considered the nation's top sports stadium, "just won't cut it" and suggested building a new facility instead.
China's government loaned Antigua EC$10 million (US$3.7 million) to renovate the stadium as part of an overall EC$26.5 million (US$10 million) aid package.
But Bird, who leads a regional committee on cricket, said his government has instead asked China to help fund a new stadium, and is "waiting with baited breadth for them to give us a response".
Chinese officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Caribbean countries hoping to host matches for the 2007 cricket World Cup must submit bids by dec. 30. The West Indies Cricket Board's World Cup committee has said it will select six to eight venues and announce its decisions by April. Bureau Report