Sand sculpture on world cup unveiled at Puri beach

Puri, Mar 09 (UNI) Joining the fray to pep up the Indian team and wishing good luck, internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik has created the coveted World Cup in the middle of a mini stadium, all in sand, on the sprawling golden beach of Puri.

Mr Pattnaik, who has so far participated in more than 31 international sand sculpture championships across the world and won many awards for the country, decided to go for an innovative way to cheer the men in blue as the opening ceremony of ICC World Cup 2007 begins at Sabina Park, Jamaica on Sunday next.

The sand artist unveiled a replica of the coveted World Cup on sand.

The replica of the World Cup was made in the solid form of sand with the help of some concocted substance so as to make the creation of sand art moveable.

Mr.Pattnaik said the sand replica would be taken to different stadiums across the country.It took almost 14 days to complete three feet height replica of the World Cup weighing 50 kg.

The sand artist also had created an ambience of a mini-cricket stadium at the beach here and created a 15 feet long bat and a ball.

A large number of cricket lovers have thronged the beach to put their signatures on the sandy bat, as a good will gesture to wish good luck to Team India.

Sudarshan would fly to West Indies where he would create his sand art to bolster the moral and spirit of the Indian team. He had already participated in sports events such as 1999 cricket World Cup in England, FIFA World Cup 2006 in Berlin and Doha Asian Games 2006 through his creation on sand art.

UNI