MANAGING Director and chief executive officer (CEO) of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Inc. Chris Dehring has reminded staff at the headquarters in Jamaica that "everything (for the event) must be done to world-class standards".

Noting that this year was of crucial importance in ensuring next year's tournament was "the best Cricket World Cup ever", he told colleagues at a company retreat last Saturday that the cricketing world would be watching the Caribbean and depending on the region to deliver a first-rate event on all fronts, especially in hosting the 16 competing teams.

"Everything we do – from answering the phones right through to match-day execution – must be done to world-class standards and everybody's role is vital," Dehring said.

He was addressing ICC CWC 2007 Inc. employees at Clifton Mount in the scenic Blue Mountains overlooking the capital Kingston.

The CEO, who spearheaded the West Indies Cricket Board's (WICB) bid to host the 2007 tournament, urged staff to remember that they were a team and "to lean on each other".

Dehring urged them to be ready and willing to stretch beyond the call of duty in this landmark undertaking.

He also counselled them to extend this kind of "team spirit and support" to the Local Organising Committees (LOCs), "with whom we will be working closely to deliver a tournament of the highest calibre".

WICB CEO Roger Brathwaite, who attended the retreat for ICC CWC 2007 heads of department and the ensuing staff gathering, echoed Dehring's sentiments regarding how important it was for the tournament to be profitable, thereby securing the future of West Indies cricket.

"West Indies cricket will be in danger without the money from Cricket World Cup. We are depending on you," he said, speaking candidly about the WICB's financial plight.