Today, February 8, marks exactly a year to go before the opening of the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in Cape Town.

The tournament, which takes place every four years, will be hosted by South Africa from February 8 2003 with a massive opening ceremony in Cape Town, and ends on March 23 when the final is played at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The final will be followed by a short but spectacular closing ceremony.

Tournament executive director Dr Ali Bacher announced yesterday that preparations were at an advanced stage and going well.

"This is a big undertaking on behalf of our country and the International Cricket Council, but we have an excellent organising committee committed to making this a very special event.

"Added to that is the fact that unlike in previous World Cups, this time around there are three partners working together. These are the International Cricket Council who own the rights for the tournament, hosts United Cricket Board of South Africa and the Global Cricket Corporation who have acquired the sponsorship as well as television broadcast rights," Dr Bacher said yesterday from his office in Johannesburg.

He said the relationship between these bodies was working well, making the reality of hosting the event something to cherish.

"Our aims and objectives are to ensure that the eighth Cricket World Cup is an event this country and the international cricket community can be proud of."

For the first time 14 countries - South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, India, West Indies, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Kenya, England, Sri Lanka, The Netherlands, Namibia, Canada and New Zealand will take part in the tournament.

Of the 54 tournament matches, 46 will take place in South Africa, six in Zimbabwe and two in Kenya.

The opening ceremony will be held at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town on Saturday February 8 and will be broadcast live throughout the world from 8.15pm to 10.15pm. It will be in the form of a massive "stadium theatre" show featuring more than 5 000 performers.

Ticket prices will be announced on Saturday evening by Dr Bacher in Johannesburg.

© 2003 CWC