Lanka ready for ICC World Cup

YASARATNE GAMAGE

The entire nation will be thrilled with the ICC World Cup by next April, said ICC Tournament Director Suraj Dandeniya. All the grounds are being prepared and each and every one are working with dedication to make the event a great success.

This was revealed at a media briefing regarding the 2011 mega event.

The finale of the Mini Cricket World Cup, a six-a-side softball cricket tournament will be held at The Sports Ministry Grounds on January 8. The tourney was organized in parallel with the 2011 ICC world cup.

Teams from Hambantota, Kandy and Colombo will compete to grab the title. The winning team of the Mini Cricket World Cup will have the opportunity to play against a six a side team made of the original 1996 World Cup Winning Sri Lankan Dream Team.

At the end of the event on eighth Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa will flag off the ICC World Cup Glory Express. The 45-day islandwide promotional tour aims at mobilizing fan support for the big event.

During the journey cricket fans will get an opportunity to sign a life size cricket ball to pledge their support to the World Cup.

A series of mega musical concerts will take place in Colombo, Kandy and Hambantota to make the atmosphere more lively starting the first at the Galle Face Green next eighth.

The musical extravaganza will feature a host of musical stars. The other two are scheduled in Kandy on January 29 and the last at Hambantota on February 19. Suraj Dandeniya stated that Sri Lanka is preparing to re-live every moment of the 1996 World Cup and requested every individual to support the event.

Cricket Board Chairman D S De Silva said that the Sri Lankan team was in good form and hoped the players would continue the same until they win the title. A large number of well known artistes were also present at the occasion as a sign of support given by artists in the event.