CATEGORY:SPORTS(CRICKET) ---------------------------- INSIDE GRENADA Monday March 12,2007 The pulsating culture of the Caribbean islands, captured in foot-tapping reggae and calypso beats, was the highlight of the inaugural ceremony as legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers declared cricket World Cup and the sport's biggest spectacle open here Sunday. The 16 contesting teams, prime ministers of Jamaica and Grenada, world cricket's top officials, and a packed Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium watched the performers go through their steps at the ceremony titled 'West Indian Energy'. Besides, there were the West Indies greats who witnessed the about three-hour ceremony that reflected the vibrant energy of the region and its mixed ethnic heritage, showcasing the various global and indigenous cultural influences that abound. 'On behalf of the government and people of Jamaica, it is with a great sense of pride and joy that I welcome you warmly, to our beautiful island home, Jamaica. We are blessed by your presence,' Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller told 10,000 spectators, ahead of the 49-day tournament. 'It is also the birth of a new dawn in which Caribbean countries accomplished the difficult task of coming together as a harmonious and committed unit to pursue the lofty and the common goal of making World Cup a resounding success,' said Grenada Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, who is also chairman of the Caribbean committee's (CARICOM) prime ministerial sub-committee on cricket. The matches in the 51-match tournament will start Tuesday with a West Indies-Pakistan game at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. The Indian team, runners-up to Australia, in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, was dressed in navy blue blazers and tie while the other teams were also in their respective cricket boards' colours. In a welcome departure from the established practice of having sports extravaganzas opened by politicians, the International Cricket Council (ICC) fittingly invited former West Indies captain Sobers to open the World Cup, being held for the first time in this region. 'On behalf of the West Indies, it is my honour and privilege to declare this 9th tournament of the ICC cricket World Cup officially open,' Sobers said, and the next moment the night skyline came alive with fabulous fireworks. The two-hour and 45-minute opening ceremony featured Machel Montano of Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent's international singing talent, Kevin Lyttle. They shared the stage with veteran Caribbean artistes Byron Lee, Third World, Arrow and Jimmy Cliff as well as David Rudder. A South African reggae artiste, Lucky Dubes, and The Duffy Brothers from Ireland also performed. Rupee, Shaggy and Fayann Lyons jointly presented the tournament's Official Song, 'The Game of Love and Unity'. It was the first occasion that the three artistes have performed together in front of a live audience. With a cast and crew of over 2,000 singers, dancers and performers, this production was rehearsed for more than three months and represented the creative output of some of the Caribbean's most talented producers and choreographers. A team of technicians, set builders, television-production staff and other logistics' personnel have worked around the clock in completing the installation and set-up for this Caribbean extravaganza. All nine host islands were represented in the celebration of the spirit of the Caribbean at this signature event. The display included a cast of stilt-walkers paying tribute to the Caribbean's cricket prowess over the years (West Indies won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979) - from Sobers to the region's current captain and star batsman Brian Lara, who also delivered a message on behalf of the players. Speaking from his heart, Mitchell outlined the difficulties that the organisers faced while putting the infrastructure, including the stadiums, in place over the last few years. 'After hurricanes Ivan and Emily devastated Grenada in 2004 and 2005, it would have been easy and natural for us to relegate World Cup to an insignificant position on our list of most important priorities,' he told the gathering. 'But we didn't. I am proud to say that in our period of national crisis, we could still see the importance and many advantages of hosting the World Cup. So, Grenada rededicated and recommitted itself to making it a reality and a success.' Then turning a bit biased towards his country, he said: 'Perhaps, nowhere is this commitment greater than in my island Grenada.' He was right as his country was the worst affected by the natural calamities. Although construction work or beautification of some of the stadiums hasn't still been completed, the basic infrastructure needed to hold a World Cup is very much in place. West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Kenneth Gordon also addressed the gathering through a speech read out by WICB vice-president World Cup Board member Val Banks. Terming the opening ceremony as a 'defining moment in Caribbean history', Gordon hoped that the organisers would stage the 'best World Cup ever'. 'We have constructed or rebuilt 12 stadiums, mobilised and invested more than $400 million, employed more than 9,000 people, inspired legislation which has dramatically deepened the Caribbean community - overcome the constraints of nine sovereign governments separated by water - and our governments have taken collaboration to new heights,' he said. 'To the more than two billion viewers, in our television audience and the 100,000 visitors we expect to visit our shores, we promise a new dimension in cricket performance and entertainment.' Mitchell 'encouraged' the teams to play 'hard and fair with lots of spirit and passion'. 'And may the best team win.' The Jamaican prime minister invited all the Caribbean guests 'to enjoy the scenery and feel the powerful and positive Caribbean vibrations reverberating in this stadium today'. 'Jamaica is proud to have been selected as host country for this historic opening ceremony of World Cup. No matter where you come from, we consider you to be members of the great cricket loving family,' she said. 'I wish for every participant, every spectator, a splendid experience - 54 glorious days of cricket, fellowship and cultural exchange that will never be forgotten.' Article reprinted from Indiaenews.com