The Hindu : President declares National Games open

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 14, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

President declares National Games open

By Abhijit Sengupta

The President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (centre), after declaring open the 32nd National Games in Hyderabad on Friday. He is flanked by (L to R): film actor Amitabh Bachchan, the Andhra Pradesh Governor, C. Rangarajan, the IOA president, Suresh Kalmadi, the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and the Union Minister of State for Sports, Vikram Varma. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

HYDERABAD DEC. 13. A sense of euphoria and pride marked the inauguration of the 32nd National Games which was declared open by the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, at the GMC Balayogi Stadium at Gachibowli here today.

During his speech, the President said that if there was any aspect of life that can enrich the mind and body it was sports and games. In his message to the youth he urged them to get into action and try for excellence.

The colourful inauguration started with three Chetak helicopters flying past overhead carrying flags of India, the Olympic flag and the IAF flag. This was followed by a flypast by three Surya Kiran aircraft.

Thereafter, the teams marched in led by last year's host Punjab which is expected to put up a good performance once again here. When Maharashtra was led in by is flag-bearer Dhanraj Pillai he drew loud cheers proving that there were plenty of hockey fans in the crowd. But the loudest cheers were for the Andhra Pradesh contingent . The host state is hoping to put up its best ever performance in a National Games this time. The Chief Minister, N.Chandrababu Naidu, then called upon the youth to take to sports and make it a part of their daily life. Sports was something that could promote national unity, he said, and the fact hat India had got only one bronze at the Sydney Olympics was proof that not enough effort had been put to develop sports.

Mr. Suresh Kalmadi in his speech thanked Mr. Naidu for his great support and for having created world class infrastructure. At this stage he also declared that Assam will hold the next National Games.

Thereafter, the President declared open the Games which are being simultaneously conducted in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. Immediately three thousand balloons were released into the sky which was followed by the carrying in of the Games torch. It was passed from hand to hand by various sportspersons from A.P. and finally Arjuna awardee, the former volleyball player, Mulini Reddy, and former weightlifter, Kamineni Eashwar Rao, lit the flame. This was accompanied by a spectacular fireworks and laser beams display which lit up the sky .

This was followed by the oath-taking ceremony which was done by hockey Olympian Mukesh Kumar on behalf of all the sportspersons here while V.Sudhakar, badminton referee, did the same on behalf of the officials.

The cultural events followed which included introduction of the Spirit of India show by Amitabh Bachchan, dances from various parts of the country and performances by well-known musicians such as Usha Uthup, Remo Fernandes, Ila Arun, Sivamani, Vikku Vinayakam, Selva Ganesh and others.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

President declares National Games open

New lease of life for damned woman

TTD eviction notices burnt

CPI gears up for mass protest

Naxalites torch two RTC buses