BRIGDETOWN, May 3: West Indies dismissed concerns on Saturday about their ability to host the 2007 cricket World Cup and promised to stage an “unforgettable” event.

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and ICC officials also guaranteed that all major matches would take place in the Caribbean, although some early games could be held in the United States or Canada.

“We are confident we will be able to deliver the kind of event the world is expecting from the Caribbean,” said Chris Dehring, managing director of the 2007 World Cup organising committee.

“It’s a unique opportunity to put on a World Cup the world will never forget.”

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said holding the event in the West Indies, which consists of 14 different nations, would be a huge challenge.

Dehring said meticulous planning would be needed to ferry thousands of cricket fans around the region and bring the often decaying grounds up to scratch.

“With 14 countries, we are undertaking something which is inherently difficult,” said Speed.

“But we are not interested in taking the easy option. There are many positive things in being able to come to these islands.—Reuters