ICC World Cup campaign begins in Hambantota
Chris Dhambarage
With less than 125 days for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 the Sri
Lanka Cricket (SLC) World Cup Organizing Committee launched their
official promotional campaign during a ceremony held at the Mahinda
Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota yesterday.
The ground situated in Sooriyawewa will host the opening two matches
of the World Cup with Sri Lanka taking on Canada on February 20 and
followed by the clash between Kenya and Pakistan on February 23 at the
same venue.
The reservation of tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup also took
place at this venue under the patronage of Sports Minster C. B.
Ratnayake, Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister Dilan
Perera, Parliamentarians Namal Rajapaksa, Thilanga Sumathipala and
Sanath Jayasuriya.
Earlier the proceedings commenced with a tree planting ceremony while
symbolizing the heralding of an era of hope, anticipation and excitement
as the tournament draws near.
The tree planting ceremony was jointly organized by Sri Lanka Cricket
and the Ministry of Sports with regard to the ‘Clean and Green’
campaign. The clean and green initiative will be introduced for this
event and hope to educate and involve cricket lovers as they hope to
ensure minimum pollution, waste and maximum recycling across all three
venues and host cities.
Sri Lanka Cricket is to embark on a series of islandwide activations
to maximize the fan experience. There will be a ‘Cheerathon’ campaign to
a nationwide trophy tour complimented by live musical extravaganzas and
the World Cup Glory Express - an around the island activity involving
celebrities, cricketers and members of the public.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will bring the best of the
international game to Sri Lanka providing the cricket crazy island with
a memorable spectacle as the greats of the game battle it out for the
Cup that counts. Tickets for the 12 games in Sri Lanka which will take
place between February 20 and March 29, 2011 will go on sale from
October 31, 2010. The reservations could be made in Kandy at the
Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium, and in Hambantota at the
Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.
In Colombo fans can ensure their places via the official ICC Cricket
World Cup Secretariat at the Sri Lanka Cricket Headquarters in Maitland
Place. Tickets could also be purchased online via www.icc.yahoo.com.
Ticket prices range from Rs. 30 to Rs. 2500 with corporate enclosures
available for Rs. 5000.
In addition a number of tickets will be made available among school
children so that they can share in the excitement around the ICC’s
flagship event. Veterans of the recently concluded civil conflict will
also receive tickets.
The Sooriyawewa ground will be Sri Lanka’s third floodlit
International Cricket Stadium when the West Indies play the hosts in the
first one day international on December 9 with the second one day
international also scheduled for the same venue on December 11. |