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Sharad Pawar praises progress on ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 preparations

Logo of 8959 CWC11

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Central Organising Committee (COC), chaired by ICC Vice-President Sharad Pawar, met in Colombo today (Friday) with Mr Pawar praising the progress of ongoing work being carried out on the grounds at Colombo, Pallekelle and Hambantota in Sri Lanka.

The Vice-President said that the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was on course to deliver a series of world-class venues, including the three in Sri Lanka which co-hosts the event with India and Bangladesh.

With exactly one year to go to the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Mr Pawar said: "I am sure that the thousands of spectators from Sri Lanka and around the world, will be extremely impressed by the new venues not just here in Sri Lanka but also in India and Bangladesh. The reports we have received of the progress are extremely positive.

"These stadia will produce a real legacy for cricket in South Asia and I am sure that cricket lovers who travel to the three co-hosts will be impressed by the quality of the venues as well as the affordable and accessible tickets.

"Sri Lanka, like India and Bangladesh, is known for the warmth and hospitality shown to visitors from around the world and I am sure that welcome will make the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 an event to remember.

"I would like to thank personally Sri Lanka Cricket for the hospitality they have shown the COC at this meeting and the arrangements they have put in place."

The COC discussed the possibility of visa variations for supporters entering India to watch ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. At present only single entry visas are permitted for tourists to India but the COC is working with the Indian Government in the hope that multiple entry visas will be available for all supporters - except those from Pakistan - holding valid match tickets.

Sri Lanka will host 12 matches at three venues in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 which opens in Dhaka on February 19, 2011 and climaxes in the final in Mumbai on April 2, 2011.