Sri Lanka gears up for ICC WC 2011
CRICKET: Hot on the heels of events in Bangladesh and Dubai, marking
the countdown to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Sri Lanka, official
co-host announced its readiness to play host to the world.
Tournament Director Suraj Dandeniya said “Sri Lanka will boast of
three state-of-the-art world class cricketing venues. Constructed in
accordance with ICC Standards, the Pallekele International Cricket
Stadium in Kandy, with a capacity of 25,000 and the Mahinda Rajapaksa
International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota, with a capacity of 27,000
will serve in bringing the fruits of the tournament, to the provinces.
The R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo currently
being refurbished will also have the ability to host 30,000 cricket
fans.”
The establishment of the new venues and related facilities undertaken
by the State Engineering Corporation and Ports Authority of Sri Lanka
will result in creating platforms that will help unearth the next
generation of Sri Lankan cricketer, in addition to adding new venues to
the Sri Lankan Cricket calender. The legacy of the tournament will thus
be a landmark investment in ensuring that Sri Lankan’ cricket continues
to thrive into the future.
The opening ceremony of the World Cup will be held in Dhaka,
Bangladesh on February 17. India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka jointly host
the 10th World Cup from February 19 to April 2. The 43-day, 49-match
tournament will be played under a new format with India hosting a
majority of matches (29), including the final at the new-look Wankhede
Stadium in Mumbai on April 2. Games in Sri Lanka will commence on
February 20.
Commenting at a ceremony held recently in Dubai, where the ICC
Cricket World Cup 2011 was on display, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat
said the ICC had learnt lessons from the past World Cup, especially the
problem of low turn outs due to the high prices of tickets in the last
event held in the West Indies three years ago. “I hope lessons learnt
from the 2007 event will help us and we have done everything to make
this event in the sub-continent a special one.”
Reservations for the 12 games in Sri Lanka are now under way and the
organisers urge the public to make sure of their place in history as
tickets for the tournament are moving swiftly. Reservations can be made
in Kandy at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and in
Hambantota, at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium. In
Colombo, fans can ensure their places via the official ICC Cricket World
Cup 2011 Secretariat at the Sri Lanka Cricket Headquarters (35, Maitland
Crescent). Tickets can also be purchased online via, www.icc.yahoo.com.
Ticket prices range from Rs. 30,00 to Rs. 2,500 with corporate
enclosures available for Rs. 5,000 / Rs. 10,000 and an individual can
purchase a maximum of four tickets. Sri Lanka Cricket is to embark on a
series of islandwide activations to maximise the fan experience. There
will be a ‘Cheerathon,’ campaign to an nationwide Trophy Tour,
complemented by live musical extravaganzas and the ‘World Cup Glory
Express’ - an around-the-island activity, involving celebrities,
cricketers and member of the general public.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will bring the best of the
international game to Sri Lanka, providing the cricket crazy island with
a memorable spectacle as the greats of the game battle it out for the
‘Cup that Counts’.
Sri Lanka is an official Co-Host of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
alongside India and Bangladesh. Sri Lanka will host 12 matches in three
venues, including ‘one quarter’ and semi-final.
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