Spectacular Opening Ceremony

The grand gala opening ceremony of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 was launched amidst great fanfare and gaiety simultaneously from Hagley Oval, Christchurch andSidney Myer Music Bowl; Melbourne It was definitely an event to remember. It was at Sidney Myer Music Bowl; Melbourne .It started at 7:30 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time on 12 February 2015. We the lucky ones getting tickets on internet on first come first serve basis were all seating on the grass bank . The mega event of the opening ceremony of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 had a very simple but spectacular opening ceremony with great music from Jessica Mauboy, Tina Arena, Nathaniel and Daryl Braithwaite plus a gorgeous fireworks display.

Few thousand lucky cricket admirers of many different countries were greeted with magical performances from special troops from 14 participating nations coming to the podium in alphabetical order .Afghanistan came first and was followed by Bangladesh with “ Chalo Bangladesh magical music”. The performances of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India,and Pakistan and off course Australia were greeted with tremendous applause. Then came the flag parade of the 14 nations where Mashrafee Bin Murtaza arriving to Melbourne by helicopter with Ireland captain was bearing the bottle green and red flag. The live show of opening ceremony from Christchurch was displayed on four dimensional.

Melbourne organizes many mega world events of different sports and cultural activities almost on a routine basis. Everything is precise, professional and are accomplished with total discipline and orderly manner .Measured speeches, greetings from Australian natives, carefully selected songs and music, marvelous fireworks always makes events memorable.

Yesterday my son and his wife could not accompany me as they were busy with other preoccupations. I had a long day at Monash University office. I invited three lucky Bangladeshi civil servants just joining a Monash Universitypost-graduation program to join me. Such an opportunity even came to me as lucky break as many Melbounians even were not lucky in getting the free access ticket.

After the event while returning found Utpol Shuvro Sports Editor of a leading Dhaka Daily. He was quick to record his Busy Bee significance. “I never even have time for Bangladesh Prime Minister when I cover any event”. Bangladesh team is struggling to win even a single match here in down under. What a pathetic boasting from a sports journalist of a bottom ranked cricket team.
Anyway the tournament kicks off with two mega matches New Zealand playing Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval, Christchurch and Australia playing England at Iconic MCG on the Valentine Day. Bangladesh will lock horns with Afghanistan on 18 February in quest of the first win in down under. “To be or not to be the question.”