ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2004

ICC releases

ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2004

Over 30,000 witness ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Opening Ceremony

Dhaka, 10 February 2004

The Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka today played host to the spectacular Opening Ceremony of the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2004.

Over 30,000 fans turned up to watch the sixteen participating teams parade on the outfield in the presence of the Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

The large crowd was treated to a range of local cultural displays performed with a combination of military precision and artistic flair.

A celebrated Bangladeshi pop act performed a song inspired by the tournament and local youngsters re-enacted traditional tribal and folk dances.

ICC President Ehsan Mani addressed the crowd and thanked the people of Bangladesh for supporting the tournament.

"It is with immense pleasure that the ICC brings the tournament to this cricket-loving country for the first time," said Mr Mani.

"The passion for cricket here is a joy to behold and I have no doubt that this nation will host a memorable event."

Teams with group matches outside of the capital will disperse to the regions on Wednesday for a series of practice matches before the first round of official matches on 15 February.

Australia is the reigning ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup champion. It claimed the title for the second time in New Zealand in 2002, beating South Africa by seven wickets in the final.

ICC President Ehsan Mani's Opening Ceremony speech

Dhaka, 10 February 2004

- Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Mohd. Fazlur Rahman, Minister of Youth and Sport, - Mr.Mohd. Ali Asghar, President BCB, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good evening on behalf of the International Cricket Council I welcome you all to the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup.

It is with immense pleasure that the ICC brings the tournament to this cricket-loving country for the first time.

The passion for cricket here is a joy to behold and I have no doubt that this nation will host a memorable event.

This is the fifth ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup. This particular event provides a preview of the great cricketers of the future. From the U/19 World Cup first held in Australia in 1988 Brian Lara, Inzamam ul Haq and Sanath Jayasuriya emerged.

Subsequent events have seen the emergence of many great players including Virinder Sehwag, Graeme Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Mohammad Sami.

Two years ago in New Zealand, Tatenda Taibu was named Man of the Tournament. He is now keeping wicket for the Zimbabwe national team and is the vice-captain of his country.

At this year's tournament there are players that already have full international experience. Nafis Iqbal, Talha Jubair and Enamul Haque have all played for the Bangladesh national team and Ravi Rampul has flown here directly from the West Indies tour of South Africa.

The standard of cricket will certainly be high. Over the next 25 days the sixteen teams assembled here tonight will play 54 matches throughout the country.

This tournament is being organised on a larger scale than ever before. Matches will be played at more venues and in front of what we expect to be the biggest crowds in the event's history. It is a huge undertaking but it has the strong support of the Bangladesh Government, the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council.

I therefore offer sincere thanks to Her Excellency the Prime Minister and the Government of Bangladesh for embracing the sport of cricket. I thank ICC's commercial partner, Global Cricket Corporation and our Global Partners ' LG Electronics and Pepsi. Without their support an event of this scale would not be possible. And I also thank our broadcast partners and the media who will help convey the vibrant and exciting spectacle to millions of cricket fans around the world.

The cricket world is expanding. Since 1997 over 40 new countries have joined the ICC. At this tournament, the holders Australia will be joined by former winners such as England and India. But also newcomers Uganda and other smaller cricket nations such as Papua New Guinea are taking part. It is an exciting and diverse line-up.

And now it is time for the players to take centre stage. I know that the people of Bangladesh will turn out to watch them perform and provide the support that they deserve. Let us all enjoy this spectacle and respect the spirit of cricket. Finally, as the teams get ready to depart to the venues around the country, I wish you all GOOD LUCK.'