ICC President launches U/19 Cricket World Cup 2006

Ehsan Mani launches the U/19 World Cup © Cricinfo

ICC President Ehsan Mani officially launched the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup (ICC U/19 CWC) in Sri Lanka on Monday and said that hosting the event will demonstrate the island's strength and resilience in the wake of last year's tsunami.

"In December 2004 Sri Lanka was devastated by a terrible tragedy yet 11 months later the country is preparing to welcome 15 overseas teams full of the best young cricketers in the world," said Mr Mani.

"Sport cannot compensate for such a tragedy but the fact this tournament is set to take place in Sri Lanka sends a wonderful and very positive message to the rest of the sporting world.

"It shows Sri Lanka is moving forward after the massive problem that has confronted the country and this ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup should prove the perfect stage to once again highlight all that is good about the island."

The teams are due to arrive in Colombo on 31 January and, after an opening ceremony on 4 February, are scheduled to play 44 matches over 15 days at five different venues in the city, culminating in the final on Sunday 19 February at the R.Premadasa Stadium.

Mr Mani pointed out this ICC U/19 CWC will be the third time Sri Lanka will have hosted an ICC event in the past six years, following on from a previous ICC U/19 CWC in 2000 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002.

"No other nation can match this feat and it is something that reflects the confidence the ICC has in Sri Lanka to host these important events," he said.

"It also reflects Sri Lanka's continuing passion for the game of cricket and the importance of the game in the fabric of the country."

Mr Mani took the opportunity of the launch to express his gratitude for the Sri Lanka Government's recent decision to grant total tax exemption to all ICC events on the island.

"On behalf of the ICC I sincerely thank the Sri Lanka Government and Sri Lanka Cricket for this far-sighted decision," said Mr Mani.

"It not only ensures Sri Lanka will be able to compete for future ICC events, including the CWC in 2011, but it also helps to safeguard the future of the game of cricket around the world.

"As a not-for-profit organisation, the ICC distributes revenues generated among our members for use in promoting and developing the game and the exemption means that more money will be available to do just that."

Mr Mani said one of the pleasures of the ICC U/19 CWC is the opportunity to spot the stars of the future and this tournament in Sri Lanka would once again offer spectators and followers that same chance.

"Sanath Jayasuriya, Brian Lara, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Graeme Smith and Michael Clarke are all veterans of this ICC event," he said.

"Smith and Clarke played in the tournament here six years ago, along with the Indian duo of Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh, Pakistan's Danish Kaneria and Marlon Samuels of the West Indies.

"And in 2004, in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka was captained by Farveez Maharoof, a player that made his Test debut just two months later."

Mr Mani also said that an event such as this could not take place without the generous support of the ICC's commercial partners and sponsors.

"The contribution of the Global Cricket Corporation together with those of our Official Global Partners Pepsi, Hero Honda, Hutch and LG, Official Partner Indian Oil and our broadcast partners, particularly SET Max, is invaluable," he said.

"Their support allows cricket to make the massive investments necessary to build the legacy that will sustain the sport for future generations," added Mr Mani.

The ICC U/19 CWC is the sixth tournament of its type to take place. Previous events have been held in Australia (1988), South Africa (1998), Sri Lanka (2000), New Zealand (2002) and Bangladesh (2004).

Previous winners of the event are Australia (1988 & 2002), England (1998), India (2000) and Pakistan (2004).