Prime Minister Khaleda Zia inaugurated the 16-nation competition before a gala two-hour ceremony of which the best part was a spectacular fireworks display.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman, Interna-tional Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani and Bangladesh Cricket Board President Ali Asghar also delivered speeches welcoming the participants and wishing a successful competition.

The U-19 World Cup is the third most important event in the ICC's calendar after the World Cup and the ICC Knockout competition.

"The U-19 World Cup is being held in eight venues across the country including Dhaka. I believe this can only inspire cricketers and cricket lovers from every sphere of the society. This event will go a long way for future development of the game in Bangladesh," said the Prime Minister.

Fazlur Rahman said that by hosting this competition, Bangladesh has proven that it has the ability and can organise events like the World Cup in the future.

ICC president Mani said this year's event was the biggest ever in the youth World Cup's 16-year history.

"This tournament is being organised on a larger scale than ever before. Matches will be played at more venues and in front of what we expect to be the biggest crowds ever in the event's history."

Mani also expected the standard of cricket to be very high as a number of full internationals were taking part.

"At this year's tournament, there are players that already have full international experience. Nafees Iqbal, Talha Jubair and Enamul Haque have all played for the Bangladesh national team and Ravi Rampaul has flown here directly from the West Indies tour of South Africa."

Asghar expressed his gratitude to the clubs and local cricket organisers for their cooperation in hosting the U-19 World Cup.

There were unprecedented security measures taken for the ceremony. Army personnel and Special Security Force (SSF) members and roamed the venue and its adjacent areas from early in the day. In a refreshing change, all the shops of the BNS and its adjacent Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium remained closed and nothing undesired was allowed inside the Stadium premises.

Metal detectors were place at the entry points to the galleries and the Army's dog squad was on the prowl too.

The ceremony came to life with the march-past of the participating nations -- defending champions Australia, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uganda, the West Indies, Zimbabwe and hosts Bangladesh.

Popular artistes Shafin Ahmed, Bappa Majumder and Mehreen then entered the ground aboard a mobile stage and circled the BNS singing the U-19 World Cup's theme song 'Utshabe Anande Mete Uthuk Cricket'.

Some 600 boys and girls from Bir Shrestha Nur Mohammad Rifle Public School and College and Bir Shrestha Munshi Abdur Rouf Rifle School and College took part in an impressive ground display of national symbols, flags and the ICC logo while placards were flashing at a corner of the north-west gallery denoting the spirit of the nation and the tournament.

A tribal dance by Rangamati Cultural Institute and a presentation of the Shilpakala Academy also received warm applause from the spectators and dignitaries.

The best was however saved for last. As the lights at the BNS were switched off, fireworks organised by Bangladesh Army engulfed the night sky for ten minutes on the trot to bring a fitting end to a superb show.

The tournament proper kicks off on February 15 in four zones -- Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna.