Children to play in 'mini versions' of World Cup

Dubai:

Young people across India will get a chance to experience what it is like to take part in an ICC Cricket World Cup this week when mini versions of the mega event are held across the country.

School events will take place across the eight host cities in India as the ICC Cricket World Cup is just two months away.

The schools tournaments will be held in Mumbai (December 14-15), Nagpur (December 14-15), Mohali (December 14-15), Kolkata (December 14-15), Ahmedabad (December 17-18), Delhi (December 17-18), Chennai (December 17-18) and Bengaluru (December 17-18).

In addition, young adults will receive HIV education and awareness sessions both at school and during the tournaments as part of the Think Wise initiative, a joint partnership between the ICC, UNAIDS, UNICEF and the Global Media AIDS Initiative that has been running since 2003.

The initiative aims to raise awareness around HIV prevention and eliminate discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS, an ICC release said.

These awareness sessions will be supported by Stumpy, the official mascot of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, who will interact with participants and distribute official memorabilia.

India batsman and Think Wise champion Virender Sehwag said, "I am very excited about playing in the ICC Cricket World Cup next year and it is great to see that young people across the country are getting involved in the tournament as well.

"I know that I was inspired to play the game when I watched the World Cup when I was younger and hopefully some of the players taking part in the schools tournaments may go on to play for India at a future event," said Sehwag.

Schools and community programmes ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 are also being delivered in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.