ICC launches competition for naming WC mascot

Presenting the fans with a unique opportunity to play their part in the forthcoming 2011 ODI World Cup, the International Cricket Council has launched an online competition to suggest names for the mascot of the next year's mega-event to be held in the sub-continent.

"ICC will announce the winning name of the mascot at a launch in Colombo, Sri Lanka to mark '200 days to go' to the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011," the international body said in statement on Tuesday.

The fans have been given a week, between July 20 to July 27, to submit their suggestions for the mascot's name, the elephant, at mascot@icc-cricket.com.

ICC also said that the name should given keeping in mind the key characteristics of the mascot's personality.

ICC has tried to imbibe morals of an ideal player into the mascot's personality by stating that the mascot believes in hard work and is always learning to master the art of concentration.

ICC said the mascot is someone who is young and enthusiastic, and determined individual.

He is someone who thinks cricket is the most fun game in the world and loves playing street cricket. He worships his cricket heroes, their technique, skill and character and dreams of playing in the ICC Cricket World Cup...one day

The first match of the World Cup will be played in Dhaka, Bangladesh on February 19 next year and the final is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on April 2.