ICC President Ehsan Mani's Opening Ceremony speech

distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good evening on behalf of the International Cricket Council I welcome you all to the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup.

ICC President Ehsan Mani Photo © ICC

It is with immense pleasure that the ICC brings the tournament to this cricket-loving country for the first time.

The passion for cricket here is a joy to behold and I have no doubt that this nation will host a memorable event.

This is the fifth ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup. This particular event provides a preview of the great cricketers of the future. From the U/19 World Cup first held in Australia in 1988 Brian Lara, Inzamam ul Haq and Sanath Jayasuriya emerged.

Subsequent events have seen the emergence of many great players including Virinder Sehwag, Graeme Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Mohammad Sami.

Two years ago in New Zealand, Tatenda Taibu was named Man of the Tournament. He is now keeping wicket for the Zimbabwe national team and is the vice-captain of his country.

At this year's tournament there are players that already have full international experience. Nafis Iqbal, Talha Jubair and Enamul Haque have all played for the Bangladesh national team and Ravi Rampul has flown here directly from the West Indies tour of South Africa.

The standard of cricket will certainly be high.

Over the next 25 days the sixteen teams assembled here tonight will play 54 matches throughout the country.

This tournament is being organised on a larger scale than ever before. Matches will be played at more venues and in front of what we expect to be the biggest crowds in the event's history.

It is a huge undertaking but it has the strong support of the Bangladesh Government, the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council.

ICC U/19 CWC Opening Ceremony Photo © ICC

I therefore offer sincere thanks to Her Excellency the Prime Minister and the Government of Bangladesh for embracing the sport of cricket.

I thank ICC's commercial partner, Global Cricket Corporation and our Global Partners - LG Electronics and Pepsi. Without their support an event of this scale would not be possible.

And I also thank our broadcast partners and the media who will help convey the vibrant and exciting spectacle to millions of cricket fans around the world.

The cricket world is expanding. Since 1997 over 40 new countries have joined the ICC. At this tournament, the holders Australia will be joined by former winners such as England and India. But also newcomers Uganda and other smaller cricket nations such as Papua New Guinea are taking part.

It is an exciting and diverse line-up.

And now it is time for the players to take centre stage.

I know that the people of Bangladesh will turn out to watch them perform and provide the support that they deserve.

Let us all enjoy this spectacle and respect the spirit of cricket.

Finally, as the teams get ready to depart to the venues around the country, I wish you all GOOD LUCK."

Jon Long
ICC Event Media Manager
In Bangladesh: 01750 17668
International: +44 (0) 7946 545 090
Email: jon.long@icc-cricket.com

Zaidan Rabbi
BCB Media Committee Secretary
Mobile: 0171 836660