The Gala Opening Ceremony

The most open world cup ever, as BBC and many other analysts put it, started with a bang yesterday at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, near Montego Bay. For the first time in a few weeks I skipped the Simpsons episode on FOX to watch this ceremony, blasphemous as it may seem Cricket comes ahead of everything in life.

Getting back to the program itself, this was clearly the best opening ceremony ever at the Cricket World Cup. This ceremony has now set the benchmark for the tournaments ahead, both in terms of the quality and the passion. The evening started with Music and live performances being performed by some of the local artists and some International artists - most of whose names I can't recall. The Dancehall Reggae legend Sean Paul was among the performers and his performance was below par-didn't seem to have enough passion. Then came the march of the teams onto the Stadium, each lead by their captain and a maiden? Then there were speeches by the dignitaries followed by the players' oath and umpires' oath taken by Lara and Bucknor respectively. Finally, the great Sobers declares the Cup open. It must have been hard for the committee to decide upon one great West Indian Cricketer to bestow this honour onto. I can think of at least five other cricketers among us today who would have deserved it just as much.

Then came the cultural performances, a bollywood style dance rendered by some West Indian women. I must admit this was as good as any I saw from the Indian dance troupes. There was a serenade, according to the announcer, a homage to the Caribbean colonial heritage- the women once again dressed in beautiful Victorian dresses with umbrellas shading their head. Very Aesthetic! Then followed a Carnivale style celebration, didn't realise that the some of the West Indian nations had Carnivale style celebrations. Finally, an event of this magnitude cannot ignore Jamaica's greatest son Bob Marley. A homage to him was paid by his old playback singers I Three. I am sure I've forgotten a lot of details, but the ceremony is a great start to what will undoubtedly be the best Cricket World Cup Ever!!!!!!