Speaking from Barbados, where the CWC VIBES Coordinators' Summit is ongoing, he stressed that hundreds of volunteers will be required in each of the nine Host Venues to ensure the Event is a success.

"This is the most significant event which has ever taken place in the Caribbean's collective history and we want to encourage employers to be understanding and work with those members of their staff who have signed up and been selected as volunteers," said Dehring.

"This is simply a matter of being good corporate citizens and having a sense of national duty. We appreciate that life must go on during the tournament and that work must be done but, wherever possible, we hope that all who have been chosen for this honour – and it is an honour to be a volunteer at a world-games event – will be able to fulfil their duties.

"Employers should share in that honour and celebrate if any of their employees are selected as volunteers."

Meanwhile, the nine Host Venues are reporting an overwhelming response by their nationals to the volunteer drive for the ICC Cricket World Cup.

In some instances, countries have many more volunteers than required and officials in the respective Local Organising Committees (LOCs) say their compatriots are ready and eager to give their time and efforts to make the Event a success for the Caribbean.

Volunteer Coordinator of St. Vincent & the Grenadines LOC, Yvette Wickham, said that Host Venue has "comfortably met our target since mid-August".

"We need about 300 volunteers but we have signed up more than 500 persons. People are getting very excited about Cricket World Cup and they are very willing to assist to make this a historic and memorable occasion," she said.

Her Grenadian counterpart, John Williams, concurred, stating that after a slow start, residents of the Spice Isle have been signing up steadily.

"We are very pleased with the response by Grenadians. We have received a lot of applications from public officers across all sectors. There are also a number of students and retirees who are interested in volunteering for the tournament. The age range is diverse, from those in their teens and early 20s to persons in their 60s," noted the Grenada LOC Volunteer Manager.

The news from Guyana is equally heartening as 330 persons have been selected for accreditation in the 18 volunteer categories.

"We have an excellent calibre of volunteers with many professionals, including a lot of teachers and well-known persons in society, coming forward. It's a matter of national pride for us. We want to show visitors true Guyanese hospitality and ensure that they have a memorable experience in our country," elaborated Guyana LOC Project Officer – Volunteer, Sabrina Panday.

Volunteer Programme Manager, Peter McIntosh, is delighted "to see the communities supporting CWC VIBES and wanting to be part of it", stating it is a firm indication of how much enthusiasm there is surrounding the tournament.