WITH Bangladesh preparing to host the biggest sporting event of its history, ICC Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat, has urged the people to get behind the tournament when the time comes.

Bangladesh is one of three joint-hosts for the ICC Cricket World Cup (ICC CWC) 2011, which will be opened officially in Dhaka on February 17 next year. At a function in the capital today Mr Lorgat said being a major part of what is the biggest cricket event in the world will be a huge boost for Bangladesh as a nation.

“For the duration of the ICC CWC, Bangladesh, along with co-hosts India and Sri Lanka, will be at the centre of the sporting world,” said Lorgat.

“The opening ceremony will be in Dhaka and on that day we can expect close to a billion people tuning in from more than 200 territories around the globe. It is an enormous opportunity for the people of Bangladesh to show the capabilities of this great nation in front of the sports-loving world and use it to advance the position of the nation within the global community.

“In that light, it is great that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has committed to attend the opening ceremony, indicating support at the very highest level.

“The passion Bangladeshis have for cricket is second to none so I have every confidence there will be a special atmosphere. In fact, there is already a sense of the excitement building with people talking about putting on a great show, befitting such an important sporting occasion.

“The Cricket World Cup is all the richer for having Bangladesh as one of its hosts. With just over one year to go before we call ‘play’ on this huge event, I urge everyone involved in our great sport in Bangladesh to pledge support for the event and make it as memorable as it promises to be.”

Lorgat was speaking after a routine meeting of the ICC CWC 2011 Central Organising Committee in Dhaka. Today, the Bangladesh element of the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2011 will be officially launched in the city with hundreds of guests attending a glittering function to showcase the country’s crucial role in putting on what is the world’s third biggest sporting event. 

Among those present at the function will be ICC vice-president and chairman of the CWC 2011 Central Organising Committee Sharad Pawar, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, tournament director Prof. Ratnakar Shetty, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Mustafa Kamal and the convener of the Central Organising Committee, Mahbubul Anam.

Also in attendance will be a number of senior Bangladesh politicians and the cricket teams from Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, who are currently playing a tri-nation series in Dhaka.

For the first time ever in Bangladesh, the ICC Cricket World Cup itself will be on display.

Bangladesh will host a total of eight matches during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, including the opening fixture and two quarter-finals. The event’s grand opening ceremony will be held on February 17, 2011 in Dhaka.