Wheelchair users attending ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 matches at Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad, have been expressing satisfaction with the provisions made for them at the venue – and the ease with which they have been able to access the stadium.

Nurse Sandra Nicome Affong who attended today's Sri Lanka - Bangladesh match with Shane Buckridan, a wheelchair-bound student from St. Elizabeth Home for the Handicapped, said the volunteers and attendants were helpful in escorting them to their designated seating area and that they were given good seats from which to watch the match.

“It is nice to know that Cricket World Cup and the Organising Committees took the needs of the disabled into consideration in preparing the stadia for the matches. Here we have been able to access our seats with ease and have not had to worry about blocking other spectators wanting to move around. We also have enough space to move freely if we need to go and get something to drink, or just go for a walk between innings,” said Affong.

The physically-challenged Buckridan enjoyed his first-ever Cricket World Cup match and was happy to be a part of the experience.

“I am having a good time at the Oval and being in a wheelchair hasn't been an inconvenience. I'm seeing all the action and the volunteers have been helpful to us whenever we needed them,” he confirmed.

Pani Merath, another wheelchair user who travelled from Sri Lanka with his mother to support his countrymen in the tournament, was also pleased with the facilities at the Port of Spain venue.

“I did not encounter any problems getting to my seat. After the staff checked our tickets, they allowed us to get to the entrance of our stand by car. This made it a lot easier. Everyone has been very understanding and helpful,” said Merath.

His mother, Milina, stated that her son is a “huge cricket fan and to be able to come to Trinidad and watch Sri Lanka play is a real joy for him”.

“Pani being in a wheelchair has not posed any problem for us here at the venue and we have good seats with a great view of the field. We're now looking forward to attending some of the other matches,” she added.

Anand Daniel , CEO of the Trinidad & Tobago Local Organising Committee (LOC) is pleased that all the efforts put into the Oval renovation have achieved the desired results as far as wheelchair-bound patrons are concerned.

“Today's modern stadia and facilities must make provisions for a number of different stakeholders, wheelchair users included. It was always our intention that any renovations to Queen's Park would include provisions for them,” he declared.

“The investment in all the years of planning and meetings have paid off and we have a venue that is world class, one that caters to various user groups and one which we can be proud of.” 

All ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 match venues have wheelchair access and provide seating locations for up to one companion seat per wheelchair location. For more on ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 visit  www.cricketworldcup.com