Stephen Alleyne, then CEO ICC Barbados (right), at an ICC press conference held at the Island Life Auditorium, in 2005. At left is Christopher Dehring and at centre, Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie. - junior dowie

bridgetown, barbados, (cmc)

Stephen Alleyne, who headed the Barbados Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC), died suddenly yesterday morning.

It is reported that he died of a 'massive heart attack'. He was 47 years old.

Alleyne was also a former president of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), which stated in a press release that his passing had come as a 'great shock'.

The BCA, whose current president is West Indies fast bowling legend, Joel Garner, described Alleyne as one of the association's 'great assets' and that 'his presence and contribution will be sorely missed'.

"On behalf of the Barbados Cricket Association, we would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolence to his wife, Yolanda, his daughter, Ayanna, and the entire family for their loss,' the BCA said.

Alleyne served as a member of the BCA's board of management from 1992-1993, was third vice- president from 1994-1997, became first vice-president in 1999, and took over as president after the sudden, shocking and untimely passing of Sir Conrad Hunte in December 1999. He was then elected president in 2000.

He served the association until 2004, during which time he was appointed chief executive officer of World Cup Barbados Inc.

"With Stephen at the helm, Barbados landed its bid to host the Super-8 matches and the Final of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup.

His responsibilities were tremendous, in that, he not only was in charge of all aspects of the event, but he also presided over the redevelopment of Kensington Oval," the BCA stated.

"Stephen possessed a brilliant mind, a quiet confidence and he was always willing to give advice freely; he was thoughtful, meticulous and would be thoroughly analytical before he offered his counsel," the BCA said.