The Hindu : Adieu Sheroo

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 02, 2003

Sport

Sport - Afro-Asian Games

Adieu Sheroo

By T. Lalith Singh

The Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran aircraft paint the sky during their display of aerial acrobatics. — PTI

HYDERABAD NOV. 1. It was a truly starry affair as the first edition of Afro-Asian Games came to a close on a dark and starless evening at the G.M.C. Balayogi Stadium here today.

A carnival like atmosphere prevailed as a medley of song and dance was unleashed after the flame was extinguished and the ceremonial lowering of flags. If actress, Tabu, accompanied by Sheroo, the games mascot, came and read out a farewell. Beauty queen Yukhta Mookhey had the crowd anchored to the grand show with her commentary.

A section of the crowd especially in the galleries was on its feet dancing to the tunes of pop star Remo Fernandes, and when the Ila Arun number "Rangeela" was played with thousands of children in the centre, the cheering and chorus refused to die for several minutes even after the piece had ended.

Those in the galleries were back on their feet soon as Hisham Abbas of the "Nari Na Re" fame presented the number with a group of dancers on the centre-stage and thousands of children in colourful attire spread all over the stadium. On a sentimental note, Hariharan saw Sheroo off with "Adios to Sheroo".

Lasers kept cutting arcs in the dark skies and visible from several miles and crackers spread beautiful light and colour. The smoky and noisy affair lasted several minutes as crackers zoomed into the sky and came down like a colourful cascade.

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