No concern over World Cup venues - Shetty

Ratnakar Shetty: "I think the concerns are more in the media than anything else" © AFP Enlarge

With 25 days to go for the 2011 World Cup, Ratnakar Shetty, the tournament's director, has dismissed concerns about the preparedness of venues for the event.

There had been worries over the redevelopment of grounds in India and Sri Lanka, which had overshot their initial deadlines on November 30 and December 31, but Shetty said they were now on track.

"I think the concerns are more in the media than anything else," Shetty said following the ICC's inspection on Monday of the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, one of the grounds that was running behind schedule. "As far as we are concerned, all the 13 venues which are going to stage the World Cup are coming up very well and we don't see any reason of concern."

The ICC team, comprising their stadium consultant Eugene van Vuuren, the body's general commercial manager Campbell Jamieson and events manager Chris Tetley, will next visit Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday to check out its status. While the Wankhede has had all its stands completely rebuilt, Eden Gardens had two stands renovated.

The tournament kicks off on February 19, with India taking on Bangladesh in Mirpur. The Wankhede will host the final on April 2, in addition to league games on March 13 and 18. Eden Gardens will host four matches, with the first one scheduled for February 27.