West Indies great Sobers to open World Cup 2007

A colourful troupe of performers will kick off the opening ceremony of WC '07 at Trelawny stadia.

After three months of meticulous rehearsals, a colourful troupe of more than 2,000 singers, dancers and performers will hope to touch perfection in the grand opening ceremony of the 2007 Cricket World Cup at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium in Montego Bay on Sunday night.

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'West Indian Energy', a two-hour-45-minute show will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region, as boundaries will disappear with nine nations joining hands in an unprecedented effort to host the mega event.

Befittingly, Sir Garfield Sobers, the best all-rounder the game has seen, will declare the biggest sporting extravaganza in the Caribbean open.

Rupee, Shaggy and Fayann Lyons will perform 'The Game of Love and Unity', the officials song of the tournament. Adding shine to the event will be Machel Montano of Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica's Sean Paul and St Vincent's international singing talent Kevin Lyttle.

They will be joined by Byron Lee, Third World, Arrow and Jimmy Cliff, besides David Rudder. South African reggae artiste Lucky Dube and The Duffy Brothers will also grace the occasion at the 25,000-strong stadium.

South Africa, which held the event last time, will send a troupe of drummers to perform during the programme.

Hosts West Indies meet Pakistan in the first match of the World Cup in Kingston on Tuesday.

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