New Delhi - On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the appointment of the cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar as the 'Global Ambassador' for the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to commence this Thursday in Ahmedabad. Tendulkar, renowned for his remarkable participation in six 50-over World Cups during his illustrious career, will have the honor of presenting the World Cup trophy before the opening match between England and New Zealand, symbolizing the inauguration of the tournament.
In a press release, Tendulkar expressed his deep connection to the World Cups, stating, "From my early days as a ball boy in 1987 to representing my country in six different editions, World Cups have always held a special place in my heart. Winning the World Cup in 2011 stands as the proudest moment of my cricketing journey." He further conveyed his excitement about the upcoming tournament and its potential to inspire young aspiring athletes, saying, "With so many exceptional teams and players poised to compete fiercely in this World Cup here in India, I eagerly anticipate this fantastic event. Marquee events like the World Cup ignite dreams in the hearts of young individuals, and I hope this edition, too, motivates young boys and girls to embrace sports and represent their nations at the highest level."
The forthcoming Cricket World Cup will also feature a diverse group of ICC ambassadors, including cricket luminaries such as West Indies' Vivian Richards, South Africa's AB de Villiers, England's World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, Australia's Aaron Finch, Sri Lanka's spin maestro Muttiah Muralitharan, New Zealand's Ross Taylor, India's Suresh Raina, former captain Mithali Raj, and Pakistan's all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez.
Claire Furlong, ICC's General Manager for Marketing & Communications, expressed her appreciation for having Sachin Tendulkar as the Global Ambassador and highlighted the significance of this World Cup, stating, "It's a true privilege to have Sachin as our Global Ambassador as we celebrate the one-day game and prepare for what promises to be the largest Men's Cricket World Cup ever." She also acknowledged the valuable contribution of the nine other cricket legends who will bring fans closer to the action and eagerly anticipated the start of the tournament.