Debate is raging in St Lucia about whether the country will be ready for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The outgoing president of the St Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association and the head of the country's World Cup organizing committee have markedly contrasting views on the issue. St Lucia will host group games featuring England, New Zealand, Kenya and Canada as well as one of the semi-finals of the tournament. Anthony Bowen, the outgoing Hotel and Tourism Association president, has in the past made no secret of his opinion that the country won't be prepared for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. He restated his opinion in his final address as the head of the Association at its annual general meeting on Tuesday. "Our infrastructure is stretched as it is now, and I cannot see the road works and airport expansion nearly ready to handle the type of crowds we anticipate will be here," he said. "There's a lot that has to be done, in educating the public who are under the impression we’re having a Test Series." Realistic But Ernest Hillaire, Chief Executive Officer of the local World Cup Organizing Committee said St Lucia is progressing well in its preparations. Mr. Hilliare said that by saying that the 2007 Cricket World Cup 2007 will be the best ever, did not mean it will best in terms of stadium or infrastructure, but that the Caribbean would show the cricket world the best way of enjoying cricket. "Sometimes people meet me and ask me, 'will every hotel in the North have water'. I'm sorry, you may not be very happy for giving that response, but the reality is that we will not be able to do that. "We need to sit down and reflect on what we mean by saying we’re giving the world the greatest World Cup ever." Tournament organisers have said the most difficult part of St Lucia's preparation is event management. But the organising committee is being assisted by a company that has previously worked on the Olympic Games. The organisers were keen to stress that St Lucia's planning for the 2007 World Cup is well ahead of schedule. Reprinted from bbccaribbean.com