THE 2007 Cricket World Cup, the first to be held in the Caribbean, was opened in Jamaica on Sunday in a three-hour, US$2 million opening ceremony.

Sir Garfield Sobers, arguably the greatest player the game has ever known, declared the 16-team, 49-day tournament open.

Chris Dehring, the chief executive of the organizing committee, said the Caribbean was the ideal place to host the event, which has cost in the region of US$400 million to stage.

In all, 16 teams will play a total of 51 matches at grounds spread around nine different Caribbean nations, with the final in Barbados on April 28.

International Cricket Council (ICC) president Percy Sonn told the crowd: “All cricket lovers know about the riches the players from the West Indies have brought to this marvelous game.

“It is more than appropriate that the World Cup is staged here for the first time.

“In as much as the West Indies represents unity and diversity, so do the countries taking part with all drawn from the five continents. The tie that binds us is the one we call the spirit of cricket.

“We will honour the ethics of the game under all circumstances.”

Titled West Indian Energy, the opening ceremony also involved around more than 2,000 singers, dancers and performers.(SD-Agencies)