World Cup launched in style at Newlands

Dr Ali Bacher, Executive Director of Cricket World Cup 2003, promised cricket lovers worldwide that the opening ceremony at Newlands in Cape Town would be the biggest event in the history of cricket and the largest production ever staged in South Africa.

Some were sceptical, but once again he was true to his promise with 25,000 spectators and an estimated 1.4 billion television viewers enthralled and entertained in a two hour live spectacular.

With extravagant costumes and dance routines the ceremony, hosted by comedian Marc Lottering, opened with scenes from a safari with guinea fowl, zebras, meer-cats, and a host of animals flowing into a colourful routine depicting the unity of the "Rainbow Nation" and its people.

The humour of life in the townships swept into the tides of the oceans that surround South Africa. Seven scenes in total, a celebration of the continent, the country and Cape Town.

Local artists accompanied the dancers in ethnic song, displaying the diverse cultures of the country brought together into unity as one nation and maybe closer than ever by the holding of the 2003 World Cup on home soil.

Malcolm Gray, President of the ICC, thanked the people of southern Africa for embracing the tournament with such enthusiasm.

"It is the largest sports event in Africa's history and the biggest cricket tournament that has ever been staged. The eyes of the world will be on Africa as you embrace the game and the players, mingling in a strange harmony of contrasts," he said.

Each team was warmly embraced by the spectators at the ground, with South Africa, looking to become the first winner on home soil, receiving tumultuous applause as they moved around the boundary before the South African President, Thabo Mbeki officially declared the ICC 2003 World Cup opened.