MONTEGO BAY, March 12: A symphony of reggae, dancehall, calypso and different musical genres, an extravaganza featuring Caribbean dance sequences, fire-eaters and stilt-walkers playing cricket marked the official opening of the Cricket World Cup 2007 at the Trelawny Stadium here on Sunday evening. 

The three-hour opening ceremony, telecast to over 1.5 billion television viewers, paid particular attention to the region's commitment to Carnival. The various scenes, depicting characters such as revellers, a shaggy bear and plantation girls "playing mas" reflected the merriment of the occasion. 

Former West Indian all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, now in his 70s and acknowledged the greatest cricketer to have graced the cricket world, officially declared open the tournament. 

The biggest pan-Caribbean gala of West Indian music, culture and way of life was unfolded in front of 10,000 spectators present at the stadium and over 1.5 billion watching it on television. 

Nearly $2.5 million were spent on the opening ceremony and over 2500 persons, including children with months of preparation, made it happen. 

Region's top international artistes such as Sean Paul, Gregory Issacs, Beres Hammond, Buju Banton and Half Pint regaled the assembled audience with their musical genius and the list also included Allyson Hinds, commonly known as Soca Queen of the Caribbean. 

Sixteen teams paraded in alphabetic order but the West Indies being the hosts were the last to take the field. 

The only disconcerting notes for these squads, numbers 362 in all and 385 if one includes also the support staff, was that they were made to occupy the Eastern Stands of the stadium where red hot sun made them squirm in their seats. Most of them lost little time in getting rid of their blazers. 

Also noticeable was that no national flag was displayed in front of participating teams, probably to balance out the fact that West Indies, a group of islands, didn't have a uniform flag.

The teams paraded with a child, intended to highlight the united stand for children and against the deadly AIDS epidemic. 

The Indian team, as most others, paraded in manner of hierarchy: Captain Rahul Dravid walking out with a child, followed by Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble, two senior most cricketers of the side, who in turn had Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag walking behind them. 

The players' declaration was done by West Indian captain Brian Lara while Steve Bucknor, the longest serving umpire, read the officials' declaration before Sir Garfield Sobers declared the 2007 World Cup open. 

Set in golden sunshine against a backdrop of pristine blue sea, the opening ceremony also featured introduction of World Cup mascot "Mello" as well as performance of the official song of the 2007 World Cup. 

The 47-day of cricket gets underway with the opening match between West Indies and Pakistan at Sabina Park in Kingston on Tuesday. 

The final of the tournament is scheduled on April 28 in Barbados.
 
 

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