Sport

C’wealth Youth Games begins

— Photo: Vivek Bendre

LEADING THE WAY: Ace swimmer Virdhawal Khade was India’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games on Sunday.

PUNE: Olympic medallists Abhinav Bindra, Vijender Kumar and Sushil Kumar were part of the cheering brigade as sportspersons from 71 nations took part in the opening ceremony of the 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.

Saina Nehwal took the oath on behalf of the participating athletes while Virdhawal Khade was India’s flag bearer during the ceremony marked by the sparkle of colour and culture at the Shiv Chatrapathi Sports complex at Balewadi near here.

Water from competing nations was poured into a kalash (urn). Sania Mirza ran into the stadium with the Games torch as the starting point of a relay featuring many of the biggest names in Olympic sport.

Dhanraj Pillay, Anjali Bhagwat, Bombayla Devi, Jitender Kumar, Nandan Bal, Gaurav Natekar, Ajitpal Singh, Zafar Iqbal, Jagbir Singh, Satpal Singh, P.T. Usha, Saina, P. Gopi Chand, Akhil Kumar, K. Malleshwari, Vijender Kumar and Sushil Kumar carried the torch of excellence around the track.

Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, received it from his two Beijing colleagues and stepped forward to pour the water from India into the ‘Fountain Of Youth’, symbolising the passion for sport in youth worldwide. The President of India, Smt Pratibha Patil was welcomed with the ceremonial shawl by Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Association.

Bindra, while addressing the assembly, said, “sport today is more than amusement or a leisure activity. It is a full-fledged profession and I appeal to the youth of India to contribute into making India a global sporting power.”

Meanwhile, Khade will be hoping to continue his good showing this year and try to do a Michael Phelps having entered in eight events.

The 17-year-old from Kolhapur, blessed with a powerful structure, at six feet three looks the part of an international athlete.

“This is an opportunity to do my best for India. Of the eight events, I’m confident in five of them,” said Khade. He will compete in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, the 100m and 200m butterfly as well three medley relays. The spotlight will be on him due to the multiple skills, apart from the physical effort required. The Phelps-like schedule is a test the 17-year-old has tuned up for, mentally and physically. The competition from Australia and Great Britain will also stand him in good stead.

Speedo had signed him as the India brand ambassador for youth appeal in the wake of his achievements in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics. Mittal Champions Trust (MCT) has also put him on its list of elite athletes for the career support programme.

As a Speedo brand ambassador and member of Team Speedo, he has been singled out as special talent. MCT’s support system ensures specialised training in keeping with his potential as an Olympic medal hope.

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