Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

LOCAL Organising Committee (LOC) member Mike Fennell has lashed out at persons who are criticising work being carried out on road and other infrastructure ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Fennell, who is also president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, was speaking at Saturday night's Business House Cricket Board awards ceremony at Cable & Wireless Sports Club on Chalmers Avenue.

He made particular reference to the intersection at North Street and South Camp Road, which had been affected by sewerage problems for years and the newly constructed Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium. The road has now been fixed as part of the work being done in that area for the Cricket World Cup while a magnificent new stadium is now in Trelawny.

Fennell said he remembers the complaints which were made when the National Stadium was being built in the 1960s for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, when people asked why so much money was being spent on building a stadium.

Legacy to be reaped later

"When you build a house, do you expect to collect what you spent in a month's rent?" he asked while saying the legacy from all the construction will be seen in years to come.

He said the people who are criticising the Government about spending millions on the Cricket World Cup instead of education and crime, should understand that "money that is accessible for sports infrastructure (through loans), is not available for any other thing."

The president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) said Jamaica should give thanks for World Cup cricket.

"Instead of complaining about World Cup cricket, they should be saying 'thank God for World Cup cricket,'" Fennell said, while saying that business will benefit from the tournament.

Meanwhile, members of the Cable & Wireless team were the toast of the night's awards.

They collected the Reggae Jammins Food (50 Overs), the Herman Spoerri Double Wicket, and Digicel 20/20 trophies.

Cable and Wireless' captain Noel Clarke collected the Gleaner Independence Trophy for being the Sportsman of the Year. Jamaica Broilers took the Business House Cricket Board 35 Overs Trophy.