Contingency plans to be ready for World Cup in Zimbabwe

Organisers of next year's cricket World Cup will have contingency plans in place should the political situation in Zimbabwe deteriorate, tournament director Ali Bacher said on Wednesday.

The bulk of cricket's showpiece tournament will be played in South Africa, with Zimbabwe scheduled to host six matches and a further two in Kenya.

Political strife has raised doubts whether the matches would proceed as planned.

Asked if plans to move the fixtures from Zimbabwe already existed, tournament director Ali Bacher said: "Not yet, but we will have to assume that responsibility.

"However, our prime intention is to play six World Cup matches in Zimbabwe," Bacher added.

"The best way to spread cricket through Africa is to play World Cup games in Zimbabwe and Kenya."

Bacher said the Zimbabwean situation was part of broader planning for the World Cup.

"It is beholden on us to plan contingencies on many issues," Bacher added. "When you organise a world event you need contingencies.

"In the event of a strike by the airline pilots, you need a plan. If the lights go out in Durban, what do you do?"

But organisers have also realised that Zimbabwe's political problems pose unusual obstacles to the smooth running of the World Cup.

"There will be issues arising from Zimbabwe -- we would be naive to think otherwise," Bacher said. "Hopefully they will not be too serious, but we must have plan B."

FIRM COMMITMENT

Bacher and International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed were in Harare on Wednesday to launch the Zimbabwean leg of the World Cup.

The tournament communications director, Jos Charle, earlier told Reuters the ICC had committed itself to ensuring the Zimbabwe games would be played as scheduled.

"The World Cup was launched here today, and Malcolm Speed made a firm commitment that the ICC will do everything possible for the six matches to go ahead as planned," Charle said.

"Cricket does not want to dabble in politics. We would like to use sport to unite people."

The launch coincided with the opening of a ZWD $60-million ($1.1 million) media centre at Harare Sports Club, the scheduled venue for three matches.

The three other games in Zimbabwe have been planned for Bulawayo.

Mail Cricket Editor