The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2010 (U19 CWC) will be officially opened at a formal function in Christchurch, New Zealand on Sunday 10 January 2010.

The Opening Ceremony will take place at the Christchurch Art Gallery, from 1830 (New Zealand time). All working members of the media are invited to attend. Please bring some form of media identification with you for presentation at the door.

The event marks the formal opening of the tournament, and will be attended by the captains and representatives of the 16 teams competing in the U19 CWC, along with officials from the ICC and New Zealand Cricket, as well as match officials, broadcast partners, sponsors and other guests .

New Zealand Cricket President Denis Currie and Chief Executive Justin Vaughan will speak at the opening, as will tournament director Tim Murdoch.

If attending, please register in advance by notifying Stephen Hill on mob. 021 531194 or email: shill@nzcricket.org.nz

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

* At the conclusion of the function, captains of the 16 teams will pose for a photograph with the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup trophy.

* New Zealand BLACKCAPS captain, Daniel Vettori, will also be in attendance to be photographed with the captains.

* The captains of the 16 teams will be available for brief interviews with members of the news media. (NOTE: There will not be a formal press conference with the team captains. Captains and coaches will, however, be available for interviews during the tournament).

What: Opening Ceremony for the U19 CWC 2010

Where: Christchurch Art Gallery, Cnr Montreal St and Worcester Blvd, Christchurch

When: Sunday 10 January 2010, at 1830

Who: New Zealand Cricket President Denis Currie, Chief Executive Justin Vaughan and tournament director Tim Murdoch

More information on U19 CWC 2010 can be found at www.iccevents.yahoo.com About the U19 CWC 2010

This 16-team tournament, which is seen as an important breeding ground for the next generation of senior international cricketers, will take place in New Zealand from 15 to 30 January.

Defending champion India will open its campaign against qualifier Afghanistan in front of the ESPN Star Sports (ESS) cameras at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, near Christchurch on the opening day of the competition with Pakistan facing the West Indies in Palmerston North and 2008 beaten finalist South Africa taking on Ireland in Queenstown.

The teams are split into four groups with Groups A and C being based in and around Christchurch, Group B teams playing their matches in Queenstown and Group D games taking place in Napier and Palmerston North.

In addition to the 10 Full Members, there are six Associate and Affiliate teams taking part, having won through their respective regional qualifying tournaments as well as the global qualifier, which was held in Canada in September.

Worldwide broadcast coverage will carry many of the major matches to a global audience of millions.

A full match schedule for the tournament is available at http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/events_and_awards/u19/fixtures.php