Excitement would be an understatement if you wanted to describe the welcome reception of the International Cricket Council One Day International World Cup to Gomore village in Central Province. Leaving the Capital Thursday morning along the Magi Highway, it was not expected that the Cup and its entourage would be given a grand entrance to the heart of the village. Arriving at the Kwikila Junction, the Cup, accompanied by ICC Representative Max Abbot was welcomed with traditional dancers from 3 cultural groups and a guard of honor by students of the local primary school. Abbott, who was overwhelmed by the reception of the villagers said afterward that so far this has been the best reception, commenting that this truly show the love and passion that villages have for the sport. “It’s quite a humbling experience and as an Australian to come here an have an experience like this on a personal level is very special,” Abbott sated. Over a hundred villages, young and old from 3 different villages took part in welcoming the cup to Gomore village, organized by Ward Councillor, Buri Gamari. The ICC ODI World Cup’s visit to the country is part of the 100 Day World tour in the Lead up to the ODI Men’s World Cup 2023 which will be staged in one of the biggest Cricketing Nation in the World, India. Papua New Guinea, through the hard work and effort put in through Cricket PNG devised a very compelling submission to bring the cup to PNG, particularly to Gomore due to the historical affiliation of the London Missionary Society and their hand in introducing the code to the Southern Region of the country. This sentiment was echoed by Magari during his speech. “The history of Cricket ties in with the history of the Church in Papua." "The London Mission Society was formed in 1795 and reached the Papuan shores in 1882 and the saying goes; when they walked in with the bible in their right hand, they walked in with the Cricket ball in their left." He said for those living in the Southern Region, Cricket has been around for a long time. So far, the World Cup has already toured host nation India, Australia and New Zealand and even the Stratosphere. Its next stop will be New York. The cup will also be touring 14 other countries.