Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The fifth edition of the ICC T20 World Cup kicked off in the capital Dhaka as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday evening formally opened the gala event seeking cooperation of all in making the tournament a grand success.
“I seek cooperation of all, including the youth, in brightening the country’s image further by making the T20 World Cup a grand success,” she said.
The prime minister, also the chief patron of the meet, declared the tournament open from a decorated dais set up on the VVIP Pavilion on the southwest side of the Bangabandhu National Stadium here in the evening.
In her brief speech, Sheikh Hasina said the latest version of cricket has infused dynamism into this popular game by making it more exciting and enthralling the youth.
She hoped that this World Cup event would remain in memories of people for a long time as a symbol of spectacular performances by world-class cricketers.
The prime minister recalled that it was during the tenure of the Awami League government when Bangladesh clinched the ICC trophy back in 1997, while the country participated in the World Cup first in 1999, which was followed by awarding the test status to Bangladesh in 2000.
Besides, she said, Bangladesh earned the rare glory of hosting the World Cup Cricket in 2011 for the first time during the previous tenure of the Awami League government.
Sheikh Hasina said the present government is now presenting the colorful T20 World Cup to the people of the country.
In this connection, the prime minister thanked all concerned, including the Finance Ministry, the Youth and Sports Ministry and members of the law enforcement agencies and other concerned working tirelessly round-the-clock to make this gala event a success.
Sheikh Hasina welcomed the ICC officials, players, guests and spectators of the mega event, and extended her thanks to the ICC for selecting Bangladesh to host this glorious tournament.
She hoped that the stay of guests in Bangladesh during the tournament will be enjoyable and memorable.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikdar, BCB President Nazmul Hasan Papon, MP, delivered the welcome address before nearly 40,000 spectators.
Ministers, advisers to the prime minister, parliament members and the chiefs of the three services, diplomats, leaders of different political parties and players of participating teams were present on the occasion.
The official celebrations of the gala event began at 6.40 pm with the national anthem performed by Chhayanat, a leading cultural group of the country.
Soon after the delivery of speech by the prime minister, spectacular eye-catching fireworks enthralled the huge audience — from children to elderly people.
On the occasion of the fifth T20 World Cup, the Bangladesh Cricket Board arranged the ‘BCB Celebration Concert’.
Indian music maestro AR Rhaman along with his dozens of co-artistes as well as hip-hop and R&B superstar Akon performed live concert at the big stage of the opening ceremony.
Eminent singers of the country Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin, Kumar Biswajit and Mamtaj as well as leading band groups LRB, Miles and Ornob also performed at the stage.
The fifth ICC World T20 will be held from March 16 to April 6, 2014 in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet. It is the second and consecutive time that an Asian country is organising this event, as Sri Lanka hosted the previous tournament in 2012.
A total of 16 nations, including host Bangladesh, are participating in the tournament in which 35 matches will be for 16 male teams and 27 matches for 10 women teams.
BBN/SSR/AD-13Mar14-11:10 pm (BST)