The Hindu : Sport : Games open amidst high security

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 19, 2006

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Sport

Games open amidst high security

Special Correspondent

Shooter Ashok Pandit leads the Indian contingent. — Photo: Sriyantha Walpola

COLOMBO: Splendid colour, lilting music and traditional strains from Sri Lanka's rich history marked the opening ceremony of the South Asian Games here on Friday when the rains relented, but only partially.

But then, the wait was long for the multi-sport programme to unfold, thanks to the security measures in view of the presence of the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse.

Tight security checks preceded everybody's entry into the Sugathadasa Stadium and when the band music and dance drill came on, the cheers from the crowd provided a refreshing break from the depressing wait. No sooner than the music and dance numbers went on for an hour to set the mood for the evening, came a long halt once again. This time it was for the entry of the head of the nation.

Admirable patience

What was admirable was the way everyone waited patiently. In a nation where security concerns have gone sky high, these are small prices to pay. But as things turned out, the wait was worthwhile as the events thereafter proved.

The `Porapol' play of breaking coconuts (historically believed here as a means to seek the wishes of Goddess of fertility and activity) based on which the Games mascot was designed, provided an unusual spectacle.

Then the tea-plucking dancers who virtually filled the turf, took the audience to a new plain of excitement with their performance that was accompanied by delightfully tuned music.

It was the turn for dare devilry as paratroopers of the Sri Lankan Army provided a breathtaking display, 12 of them bringing in the flags of the eight participating nations apart from the IOC, Olympic Council of Asia, SAF Games Olympic Committee and the NOC of Sri Lanka. The brave soldiers received a stand out ovation.

Pandit leads India

The conventional march past of the teams followed. The Indians, led by the Commonwealth gold medal-winning shooter Ashok Pandit, looked smart. The men were dressed in navy-blue suits and orange headgear, while the female athletes came in an assortment of colourful sarees.

The focus then shifted to the far side where the Games flame was to be lit. The honour went to two of Sri Lanka's notable sportspersons Nagalingm Edirith Weeresinghe (Asian Games high jump gold medallist) and former leading hurdler Sriyani Kulawansa.

At this juncture the rains revisited. The participants in the open withstood the hardship as speeches rolled before the Sri Lankan President declared the Games open. A volley of firecrackers lit the sky later.

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