Tokyo, October 24, 2006: The past, present and future will come together in the official Opening Ceremony for the 2006 FIVB World Championships.
The past will be represented by ancient Japanese taiko drums and flags, the present by the two captains of Japan's national teams, and the future by 18-year-old high school prospect Maiko Kano, who will carry the FIVB flag.
The ceremony will start at 4pm on Tuesday, October 31, at Yoyogi National Stadium First Gymnasium, and last for 30 minutes.
It will follow the opening two games in Pool A (Korea against Costa Rica at noon and Poland against Kenya at 2pm) and precede the Japan-Chinese Taipei match, which starts at 6pm.
The captains of Japan's men's and women's teams, Masaji Ogino and Yoshie Takeshita, will take the athletes' oath on behalf of all players of the 48 teams.
The ceremony, which is being organized by host broadcaster TBS, will also feature a full orchestra and 200-member choir.
The pre-match entertainment will start at 5.30pm and will include a lights and laser show and a performance of the official theme song, “Ready Go!”, by popular all-girl group Morning Musume and the two-boy band WaT.
There will be a full dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony on Monday, October 30.
