PORT-OF-SPAIN, Feb 28: Preparations for hosting the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies are on track, the chief executive of the company planning the event said Thursday.

“I’m not concerned about the timing because we’re on track. At this point, I have a very good idea of where we’re going, having done three or four months of consultation,” Chris Dehring, who was appointed head of Windies World Cup 2007 Inc. last year, said.

Dehring’s comments came after former WICB president Pat Rousseau claimed West Indies could lose the tournament because of poor playing facilities.

Rousseau declared that only Grenada has the facilities to host World Cup matches and that customs and immigration checks in each country could affect the logistics of hosting the event.

Dehring cautioned against “general apathy” and said it was crucial that the WICB and relevant governments realise the urgency of the situation with the biggest single sporting event ever staged in the Caribbean now only five years away. “I spoke to Pat (Rousseau) a few days ago and I’m sure his comments were meant to be taken in that light,” he said.—Reuters