By T.R. Ramakrishnan

St John's (Antigua), June 2 (IANS) Believe it or not, China is helping to build a cricket stadium in tiny Antigua, the home to some of West Indies' finest cricketers. And in other countries in cricket-crazy Caribbean as well.

The stadium is now under construction at North Sound, about seven kilometres from the Antigua Recreation Ground. A signboard in front of it says: "Sir Viv Richards Stadium. A project funded and constructed by the People's Republic of China and the government of Antigua and Barbuda." It caused a lot of raised eyebrows to visitors.

The Chinese government is giving the USD 20 million, which is the cost of putting up the two permanent stands, with a seating capacity of 10,000. Temporary seating will add an extra 10,000 capacity.

The Antigua and Barbuda government is expected to spend close to EC 80 million (EC 2.7 = USD 1). Sheon Samuel, the venue development coordinator, said the Chinese were giving the money because of the long and fruitful relationship between the two countries.

There's more to it, though. Taiwan, which China regards not as an independent country but part of its territory, has "bought" legitimacy in the Caribbean and in Africa. It still has diplomatic ties with a few countries here. In fact, the World Cup stadium at St Kitts is being built with Taiwanese money.

China, obviously is seeking to counter this with money of its own. It is also funding World Cup stadiums in Jamaica and Grenada.

That's cricket diplomacy by countries where cricket is virtually unknown as a game.

Large parts of the structure are up, and Samuel said that though it was "two weeks behind schedule now" it would be completed on time.

It definitely looked in a more advanced stage of construction than the Brian Lara Stadium, coming up beyond Chaguanas in Trinidad and Tobago, where a pre-World Cup practice match between Pakistan and South Africa will be held. During a drive south from Port of Spain, it was pointed out as the levelled piece of land from which clouds of dust were emanating. Nothing more.