An amalgamation of some of the well-known singers from Asia and outside, along with depiction of the rich and varied culture of co-hosts India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be the highlights of the grand opening World Cup ceremony here on Thursday.
OPENING CEREMONY
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, who have composed the official song for the World Cup, and Sonu Nigam will represent India while Runa Laila of the Dama dam mast kalandar fame and Mila, a local pop icon, will be the prominent Bangladeshis on display. Legendary Canadian singer Bryan Adams will add variety to what promises to be a spectacular show.
The fireworks and laser show will be yet another attraction, but the competing teams will be conspicuous by their absence at the 10th edition of the tournament and the third in south Asia.
Also, the culture of Pakistan, which was scratched as a co-host by the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to security reasons following the attack on the Sri Lanka team in Lahore in March 2008, will not be seen at the over two-hour ceremony at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Bangladesh Cricket Board CEO Manzur Ahmed also said that Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina will declare open the 45-day, 14-nation tournament, though the presence of Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman is doubtful.
"The full teams will not be there at the opening. Only the captains and the managers will be present. That is how (Indian company) Wizcraft has designed the ceremony," Ahmed told MAIL TODAY.
ICC cricket
One major reason for the teams' absence could have been a big logistical problem in transporting teams from various parts of the three south Asian countries. But when India and Pakistan cohosted the World Cup in 1987, all competing teams lined up at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
In fact, at almost all World Cups, the teams have got together before the first match. Wizcraft, in association with Bangladesh's Asiatic Events, an advertisement firm, has designed the ceremony, but they are keeping the contents close to their chests. But sources said that Nigam, Laila and Mila will sing along with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
OPENING CEREMONY
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, who have composed the official song for the World Cup, and Sonu Nigam will represent India while Runa Laila of the Dama dam mast kalandar fame and Mila, a local pop icon, will be the prominent Bangladeshis on display. Legendary Canadian singer Bryan Adams will add variety to what promises to be a spectacular show.
The fireworks and laser show will be yet another attraction, but the competing teams will be conspicuous by their absence at the 10th edition of the tournament and the third in south Asia.
Also, the culture of Pakistan, which was scratched as a co-host by the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to security reasons following the attack on the Sri Lanka team in Lahore in March 2008, will not be seen at the over two-hour ceremony at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Bangladesh Cricket Board CEO Manzur Ahmed also said that Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina will declare open the 45-day, 14-nation tournament, though the presence of Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman is doubtful.
"The full teams will not be there at the opening. Only the captains and the managers will be present. That is how (Indian company) Wizcraft has designed the ceremony," Ahmed told MAIL TODAY.
ICC cricket
One major reason for the teams' absence could have been a big logistical problem in transporting teams from various parts of the three south Asian countries. But when India and Pakistan cohosted the World Cup in 1987, all competing teams lined up at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
In fact, at almost all World Cups, the teams have got together before the first match. Wizcraft, in association with Bangladesh's Asiatic Events, an advertisement firm, has designed the ceremony, but they are keeping the contents close to their chests. But sources said that Nigam, Laila and Mila will sing along with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
