World Cup officially begins

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bsmartguy

@bsmartguy

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

Spectacular opening for World Cup

A member of the audience gets into the swing

There was plenty of dancing and singing in the stands as well

Cricket's ninth World Cup has been officially opened with a spectacular Caribbean ceremony showcasing the best of West Indies' musical talent. The three-hour, $2 million extravaganza at the Trelawny Stadum in Jamaica's Montego Bay featured more than 2,000 singers and dancers. It featured key speeches from West Indies captain Brian Lara and the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers. The same island hosts the first match of the tournament on Tuesday. That will see the host team take on Pakistan, in refurbished Sabina Park, Kingston. Sixteen teams will play a total of 51 matches at grounds spread around nine different Caribbean nations, with the final in Barbados on 28 April.

We have shown we can come together as a harmonious and committed unit

Keith Mitchell
Grenada Prime Minister

International Cricket Council president Percy Sonn said: "All cricket lovers know about the riches the players from the West Indies have brought to this marvellous game. "It is more than appropriate that the ICC Cricket World Cup is staged here for the first time. "The names of Garfield Sobers, Vivian Richards, Clive Lloyd, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Lance Gibbs, Sonny Ramadin, Wes Hall, Courtney Walsh and Malcolm Marshall - plus a host of others - have helped make this game what it is today, one of the most popular sports in the world." Organiser Chris Dehring told a jubilant crowd that the tournament marked "the moment of West Indian achievement" and was the reward for years of "sweat and tears, hard work and sacrifice".

These fans lap up the atmosphere at the Trelawny Stadium

There has been criticism over construction delays at the numerous new stadia being used for the competition but Dehring insisted the venues were "the finest collection ever assembled for any cricket World Cup". He added: "Over the next 47 days and nights the world will see why we are so proud." Grenada Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, whose country will host matches in the second round two years after being ravaged by a second devastating hurricane in as many years, said the nine Caribbean countries had shown they could "come together as a harmonious and committed unit". Loud cheers were reserved for Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and the island's renowned reggae artist Sean Paul. The night ended with the 16 competing teams taking part in a parade. Music was very much the main element of the show, with reggae legend Jimmy Cliff and Shaggy headlining. Bands such as Third World and Sly and Robbie featured, along with local acts from all corners of the Caribbean.

They included Trinidad's Machel Montano, Jamaica's Sean Paul, Alison Hinds - known as the first lady of soca - from Barbados and St Vincent's Kevin Lyttle.

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Frequent Posters

Howlarious

@Howlarious

Trailblazer

+ 3

Posted: 18 years ago

Great! Can't wait until the matches start 😃

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username88

@username88

Sparkler

Posted: 18 years ago

awesome
1st match startin 2moro
cant wait 😃

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Huzaifa Kaderbhai

@kothra

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

I watched the ceremony
it was mindblowing enjoyed alot

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Howlarious

@Howlarious

Trailblazer

+ 3

Posted: 18 years ago

Yeah Sean Paul was great and the fireworks were awesome! 😃

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NUG

@kal-el

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 18 years ago

this gonna be awesome but i cant see pakistan winning with such a depleted bowling attack, no asif no shoaib rana naved in such poor form i cant even see them beating ireland, i hope they win the world cup but cant see it