Minority sports attempting to stage world-class events in New Zealand are shaping as the big winners from the technology innovations undertaken for the CricInfo Women's World Cup which opens in Christchurch today.

In order to provide world-wide video and audio coverage on the Internet of the event from Lincoln University, 20km south of Christchurch, a state-of-the-art frame relay system had to be set up.

It would not have been possible to provide the CricInfo Internet requirements on the existing telecommunications structure.

CricInfo New Zealand chief executive Adrian Motherway said he sat down with CLEAR Communications in June to work out what needed to be done.

"We needed to have a two megabit connection to be able to do it. If you remember that most modem speeds used are at 56k, this one is 2000k, so it is a very fast speed," he said.

"The video is relayed from cameras at the grounds, through to the Media Centre that has been set up at Lincoln and is then relayed from the top of the highest building at Lincoln by radio transmission through to CLEAR's building in Christchurch.

"From there it is put on the Internet," he said.

While live video has been done from other sports events around the world, they have always been from major centres.

What CricInfo's requirements have done is show that a major sports event could be held in outback Australia, or in Africa, and be sent out on the Internet.

"This set-up can be used again and again. In theory, we would be able to roll into a tournament next time, pull everything out of the boxes and plug them in," Motherway said.

It had taken a substantial investment by both CricInfo and CLEAR but now that it has been created the opportunities are now there for minority sports to get access to coverage of their events.

"As long as sports can get an Internet partner they will have access to a cheaper, and viable, alternative to normal television coverage," he said.

All teams were due to be checked into their University accommodation at Lincoln early today before the opening ceremony at 5pm.

Representing the Government in opening the tournament is the Minister of Sport, Trevor Mallard.

The first game is between the defending champion Australia and the host country New Zealand. The trans-Tasman rivals met in the last World Cup final.

Rain in Christchurch today threatened to upset the opening ceremony but conditions are expected to be clearing for the opening game tomorrow.

There are no reserve days for preliminary round games. If games are abandoned teams will be awarded one point each.

© CricInfo