Left: Spectators cheering the performers at yesterday's 2007 Cricket World Cup opening ceremony at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer Right: Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar (left) and Sourav Ganguly chat prior to the opening ceremony for the Cricket World Cup in Trelawny yesterday. - Reuters

Tony Becca, Contributing Editor

The 2007 Cricket World Cup opened in style, class and elegance before thousands of fans at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium yesterday.

Starting in the afternoon's cool breeze which drifted across the ground with a military display by The Massed Bands and Corps of Drums of the Jamaica Defence Force at 5.15 p.m., going through the evening's slanting sunshine, and ending under the stars minutes after eight with a finale featuring The I-Threes and Dean Fraser and then Jimmy Cliff, the opening ceremony was a moving and touching affair which paraded the talent of the West Indian, Irish and African peoples, in song and dance, and had the colourful gathering cheering almost continuously as applause after applause echoed around the stadium with the biggest of them all coming when Sir Garfield Sobers, the region's greatest cricketer, arguably the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen, declared the tournament open.

With the floodlights on him, with the stars twinkling above, the master batsman, the master bowler, and the master fielder, standing on the stage in the middle of the field, said, to a backdrop of resounding applause, "On behalf of the West Indies, it is my honour and privilege to declare this ninth tournament of the ICC World Cup officially open."

Earlier on, Chris Dehring, managing director chief executive officer of ICC CWC West Indies 2007, thanked the West Indian people for their support during the preparation, and then, to a ringing round of applause, went on to say:

"This evening I am very proud to be a West Indian. Over the next 47 days and nights, starting this evening, the world will see why we are so proud. They will see the world's best cricketers competing against the backdrop of the most blessed place on earth. They will see exciting cricket inspired by the rhythm and soul of the West Indies, for cricket in the Caribbean has few competitors when it comes to sheer enjoyment and passion. They will see magnificent stadia - the finest collection ever assembled for any cricket World Cup."

Dr Keith Mitchell speech

Following Dehring, Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and chairman of CARICOM's subcommittee on cricket, stepped up and said, again to a ringing round of applause, "You have come to the Caribbean from far and wide at a very special time in our history to celebrate the glorious game of cricket at the most important of all ICC tournaments. We will expose you to some of the treasures of the Caribbean - its natural beauty and diversity and the warmth, hospitality and unique cultures of its people."

And then came Jamaica's own Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, who, after entering to an ear-shattering applause, welcomed all the dignitaries before saying, among other things, that "Jamaica is a cricket-loving country", that "the sport of cricket is deeply embedded in our hearts and in our way of life", and that "this land of ours is also the land of reggae music, of great entertainment, and we are thrilled to embrace you in the warmth of our unique brand of Jamaican hospitality."

After welcoming the people to what, according to him, many thought was mission impossible, Ken Gordon, president of the West Indies Cricket Board, promised the more than two billion television viewers and the more than 100,000 visitors he expects to visit our shores, "a new dimension in cricket performance and entertainment."

For that, Gordon got a wonderful round of applause, but nothing compared to what he got when he went on to say that he was happy the opening took place in Jamaica.

"It is appropriate," said the man who is married to a Jamaican, "that this event be launched in Jamaica - the most beautiful of the 10 most beautiful countries in the world."

Praises to the West Indies

And after congratulating Dehring and team, including Chairman Gordon, for a job well done, Percy Sonn, recently appointed president of the International Cricket Council for a third term, praised the West Indies - again to a resounding round of applause.

"The West Indies, as this grouping of nations is known, must rank amongst the most idyllic, certainly romantic, and definitely stunningly aesthetic of cricketing venues on the globe. Together with the richness of its cricketing culture, and a history of cricketing greats, both past and present, the West Indies have come to symbolise to the world so much that is good and progressive about our humanity."

Players' Declaration

In between the touching speeches, the Players' Declaration was read by West Indies captain Brian Lara, the Umpires and Officials Declaration was read by Jamaica's world renowned umpire Steve Bucknor, the parade of the 16 participating teams took place with the West Indies entering to massive cheer, and so too did performances by Ashe, Aisling dancers and the Duffy brothers from Ireland, Drum Caf? and the reggae-singing Lucky Dube from South Africa.

On a night when applause after applause greeted renditions such as Slide Mongoose of years gone by from the military band, other performers included Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Allyson Hinds, Machel Montano, Kevin Little, Arrow, Sean Paul, Sly & Robbie, Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond, Buju Banton and Half Pint, Third World, David Rudder and Lovindeer as the fans rocked to songs like Tiny Winey and Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller speaking at yesterday's opening ceremony. - Dellmar

The Massed Bands and Corps of Drums of the Jamaica Defence Force performing at yesterday's opening ceremony for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, held at the new Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting waves while being escorted by a girl at Florence Hall, Trelawny, yesterday.

Cricketers, including Australia's Mitchell Johnson (top), use magazines to protect themselves from the hot sun during the opening ceremony.

New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming (right) is escorted into the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. - Reuters photos