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| Opening Ceremony |
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ceremonially declared the ICC World Cup 2011 open by pressing the switch-on button at 7:10 pm at a gala ceremony at Bangabandhu National Stadium here on 17 February, 2011.
Speaking on the occasion, Hasina expressed the optimism that hosting of the world cup cricket would further cement the tie of world fraternity.
"Bangladesh, the land adorned with natural beauty, feels extremely proud of hosting the mega event of the World Cup," she said amidst cheers from thousands of cricket fans at the packed stadium.
The Prime Minister saluted the language martyrs in this month of the great language movement. She also recalled with deep gratitude the greatest Bangali of all time and father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.Hasina welcomed the ICC officials, players, guests and spectators at the majestic ceremony. She also thanked the ICC for selecting Bangladesh to host the opening ceremony and eight matches in Bangladesh.
She congratulated the cricket-loving countrymen for their great enthusiasm and cooperation to make this event a grand success.
The Prime Minister also appreciated the organizers, BCB officials and patrons for their immense labor to hold the World Cup successfully.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President AHM Mostafa Kamal MP gave the welcome address while ICC President and Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Local Organising Committee Chairman and Finance Minister AMA Muhith and State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarkar also spoke at the function.
Ap adds: Sheikh Hasina declared the tournament open and placed her palm on a scanner setting off series of breathtaking fireworks.
ICC President Sharad Pawar called it a "historic" day and said this is one of the World Cup championships, which will always be remembered.
Earlier, the spectacular opening ceremony began with the Bangladesh national anthem Amar Shonar Bangla, composed by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
After the national anthem and the welcome song, the mascot "Stumpy" entered the stadium on a cycle rickshaw, followed by the captains of 14 competing nations on decorated cycle rickshaws.
The 14 countries participating in the World Cup are Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies, New Zeeland, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Netherlands, Ireland and Canada.
The two-hour, 15-minute-long ceremony saw around 3,500 performers putting up a colourful depiction of Indian, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi culture, complete with song sequences by well-known artists like Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, Indian singer Sonu Nigam and Bangladesh-based Runa Laila.
Cricinfo Online says, The ICC’s 49-match, 43-day, 13-venue event is inte3nded to be the brightest advertisement of the ODI format, which from the 1980s, has kept cricket solvent and expanding.
Speaking on the occasion, Hasina expressed the optimism that hosting of the world cup cricket would further cement the tie of world fraternity.
"Bangladesh, the land adorned with natural beauty, feels extremely proud of hosting the mega event of the World Cup," she said amidst cheers from thousands of cricket fans at the packed stadium.
The Prime Minister saluted the language martyrs in this month of the great language movement. She also recalled with deep gratitude the greatest Bangali of all time and father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.Hasina welcomed the ICC officials, players, guests and spectators at the majestic ceremony. She also thanked the ICC for selecting Bangladesh to host the opening ceremony and eight matches in Bangladesh.
She congratulated the cricket-loving countrymen for their great enthusiasm and cooperation to make this event a grand success.
The Prime Minister also appreciated the organizers, BCB officials and patrons for their immense labor to hold the World Cup successfully.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President AHM Mostafa Kamal MP gave the welcome address while ICC President and Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Local Organising Committee Chairman and Finance Minister AMA Muhith and State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarkar also spoke at the function.
Ap adds: Sheikh Hasina declared the tournament open and placed her palm on a scanner setting off series of breathtaking fireworks.
ICC President Sharad Pawar called it a "historic" day and said this is one of the World Cup championships, which will always be remembered.
Earlier, the spectacular opening ceremony began with the Bangladesh national anthem Amar Shonar Bangla, composed by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
After the national anthem and the welcome song, the mascot "Stumpy" entered the stadium on a cycle rickshaw, followed by the captains of 14 competing nations on decorated cycle rickshaws.
The 14 countries participating in the World Cup are Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies, New Zeeland, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Netherlands, Ireland and Canada.
The two-hour, 15-minute-long ceremony saw around 3,500 performers putting up a colourful depiction of Indian, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi culture, complete with song sequences by well-known artists like Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, Indian singer Sonu Nigam and Bangladesh-based Runa Laila.
Cricinfo Online says, The ICC’s 49-match, 43-day, 13-venue event is inte3nded to be the brightest advertisement of the ODI format, which from the 1980s, has kept cricket solvent and expanding.
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