The opening ceremony of World Cup 2011 began at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka today evening.
Sri Lanka’s Cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara was among the captains of the 14 nations playing in the tournament at the opening ceremony.
A lively choir sang the Bangladesh national anthem – 'Amar Shonar Bangla' by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore – at the start of the ceremony as a jampacked stadium came alive with passion and pride.
Sri Lanka’s Bathiya, Santhush and Eraj were among those who performed at the event.
The championship's mascot, the elephant Stumpy, rode in on a three-wheeled cycle rickshaw. The team captains were also brought to the Stadium by rickshaw.
Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina said the country was proud to host the sporting event. She thanked the ICC board for choosing Bangladesh as the venue for the opening ceremony. "I believe that international ties will be strengthened by this sport," she said.
Couresy of http://www.sundaytimes.lk/
