From rxpgnews.com
Holiday to mark Antigua's hosting of World Cup match
By IANS,
Mar 23, 2007 - 11:37:17 AM
St John's -, March 23 - The Antigua and Barbuda government have declared March 27 a public holiday to mark the country's hosting of its first match of the World Cup.
On that date, hosts West Indies and world champions Australia will raise the curtain on the Super Eight second round of the tournament at the new Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, not far from the capital.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer said the occasion would be an historic moment for Antigua and Barbuda because in addition to hosting their first World Cup match, they would be marking the 26th Anniversary of the country becoming a Test match venue.
On March 27, 1981, the Antigua Recreation Ground became Test cricket's 51st venue when it hosted the fourth Test between the West Indies and England.
'The public holiday will give many more Antiguans and Barbudans time to attend the match and be a part of the historic occasion,' Spencer said Thursday, reports the Caribbean Media Corp.
'We expect the first match to be a spectacular affair at the new stadium. With Chickie keeping the Party Stand 'Beach 366' in carnival mood along with the possible return of noted cricket comedian/performer Laban 'Gravy' Benjamin and with the West Indies' recent performances as a motivator, the match promises to be a memorable one in a superb cricket ground which has been described as one of the most beautiful in the region.'
The Antiguan government has spent close to $74 million in preparing the country for the World Cup. The stadium has a capacity of 10,000 permanent seats.
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