President opens Military World Games

Pomp, pageantry and precision marked the opening ceremony of the fourth Military World Games at the GMC Balayogi stadium on the outskirts of Hyderabad on Sunday evening.

The stadium which has played host to the 32nd National Games and then the Afro-Asian Games, was once again the focus of international attention.

Athletes, officials and officers of the armed forces from more than 100 countries across the world were present at the venue.

The roads leading to the ground were packed with vehicles and by the roadside were numerous banners and hoardings heralding the conduct of the games.

The programme began with a fine show put up by the Military Bands and Air Warriors drill display which set the mood for an exciting evening.

After the arrival of the President Pratibha Patil and the VIPs, the strains of the National anthem floated across the ground. The sky diving display which followed had the spectators enthralled. The Akash Ganga team parachuted onto the ground carrying flags of the three wings of the defence services among others.

That was when the mascot, Bravo, made his appearance. He too floated into the stadium following the parachutists.This was followed by the contingents marching in. It was not the formal marching style usually associated with the marching displays of the armed forces.

The participants walked into the stadium in a relaxed style and after all the contingents had trooped in, the entire ground was a sea of colours.

The loudest cheer was, of course, for the Indian contingent, which marched in smartly with an air of confidence.

After the President declared the Games open, the Games flame was set alight by a spectacular and unusual method. India’s Olympic silver medalllist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore jogged into the stadium with the torch. He then set off a cannon placed on the ground in front of the main stands with his torch.

Following this the main torch, standing high at the far end of the ground, immediately burst into flames.

The soaring flames seemed to signify the aspirations of the sportspersons who have geared themselves up for the competitions that get underway on Monday.

After the oath was taken on behalf of the athletes by Capt. Tushar Tomar, there followed a grand show of cultural programmes featuring dance troupes from the host State and various popular singers.