Mani launches tournament for stars of tomorrow
Ehsan Mani, the ICC's president, officially launched the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka on Monday
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"In December 2004 Sri Lanka was devastated by a terrible tragedy, and yet 11 months later the country is preparing to welcome 15 overseas teams full of the best young cricketers in the world," Mani said. "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 World Cup should prove the perfect stage to once again highlight all that is good about the island."
The teams are scheduled to arrive in Colombo on January 31. The opening ceremony is on February 4 and that is followed by 44 matches over 15 days at five venues in the city. The final will be held at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, February 19.
Mani pointed out this was the third time Sri Lanka has hosted an ICC event in the past six years, following on from the Under-19 World Cup in 2000 and 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."
He added that the event offered glimpses of the potential stars of the future. "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."
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