City's children take part in Cricket World Cup of own

On the eve of ICC World Cup 2015, six teams of children participated in the 'Mini Cricket World Cup’ on Friday.

Children from NGOs like Magic Bus, Chintan and the Aga Khan Foundation took part in the tournament organised by the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions at Vinay Marg ground in Chanakyapuri.

“We really enjoyed playing the mini cricket world cup. It felt like we are in a real tournament,“ said a child.

The 2015 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, begins on Saturday with opening ceremonies taking place in Melbourne, Australia and Christchurch, New Zealand. India fights to retain the trophy it won at home in 2011.

“We played with our heart and we would like to play more such events,” another 12-year-old said.

The winning team was awarded the ‘Mini Cricket World Cup’ by Australia’s High Commissioner Patrick Suckling and New Zealand’s High Commissioner Grahame Morton. 

“Cricket is deep in the DNA of Australia, New Zealand and India, and our shared love for the game binds all three nations closely together,” Suckling said.

“We are proud and excited to be co-hosting the world cup with New Zealand. In January alone we received more than 12,000 tourist visa applications from Indian fans who will travel to Australia to watch the action”, he said.

“The Cricket World Cup will help to cement the close bonds of friendship between our two countries” he added in his statement. The envoys shared light moments with children. 

“Whether we have had a star of the tournament of 2031 with us today or not, it is clear that these children and fans around the globe are tuned in and ready for the cricket to begin,” said Grahame Morton.