Ending all anxiety, Bhubaneswar is ready to have inaugural of the 22nd Asian Athletic Championships (AAC) on Wednesday evening. About 800 athletes representing 44 countries along with more than 300 officials from various sports bodies will participate in this largest sporting event Odisha is organising at the Kalinga Stadium.
The Odisha capital was roped in as the host city after Jharkhand pulled out at the last minute, making it a challenge for Odisha to deliver in a short time.
There will be 42 track and field events with 20 world champions likely to participate. Olly, the 22nd AAC official mascot, has been welcomed at different places.
The inaugural ceremony will be graced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other dignitaries.
Besides, Sebastian Coe, President, International Association of Athletic Federations, who set eight outdoor and three indoor world records in middle distance track events, Dahlan Al-Hamad, President, Asian Athletic Association, Adille Sumariwalla, President Athletic Federation of India, CK Valson, Secretary, AFI, other office bearers of various Athletic Associations of Asia, distinguished athletes including PT Usha have also reached to attend the mega event.
In the synchronised march-past of the participants, the flag-bearer of each contingent will hold their National Flag while Odia woman sprinter Srabani Nanda will hold the Tricolour representing the India team. The flag-bearers will have a colourful look with Odisha's Sambalpuri sarees.
The multipurpose Kalinga Stadium has been transformed into a world-class track and field facility adhering to the norms of the International Association of Athletic Federation within a record period of 90 days.
“Preparation of all these in war-time footing will not only bring success to our hard work but will be instrumental to introduce Odisha as an emerging sports powerhouse of the country, and this will lead to establishment of a High Performance Athletic Academy in the State in near future,” said Sports & Youth Affairs Secretary Department Vishal Dev.
Care has been taken for accommodation, transportation and hospitality of the participants. More than 1,100 rooms have been booked in 16 hotels and two guesthouses. Two hotels have been declared games hotels, where important officials and council members are staying.
Over 200 vehicles have been engaged for transportation of officials, athletes and VIPs.
The State Tourism Department has made efforts for quality refreshment and sightseeing for the participants. The BMC has expedited city beautification drive with lights, cleaning of roads, painting the walls of flyovers and other places with traditional themes to extend an exposure of Odisha's art, culture and heritage. Crowd and parking management in and outside the stadium along with security of VIPs is being operated by the Police Commissionerate. As many as 300 firemen and 250 extinguishers are ready to keep the venue fireproof.
About 500 volunteers have been mobilised from different colleges, medical and management institutes, besides sports-specific volunteers.
A Media Cell is being operated by the Information & Public Relations Department to disseminate information. Sports journalists can contact with the telephone no-7609828179 when necessary.
The opening ceremony will have a cultural extravaganza. The Prince Dance Group and the Odisha Dance Academy will present their programmes while artists from other countries will also perform. Internationally-acclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik will showcase Odisha's rich art and culture through his sculpture of famous athletes of the world using nine tonnes of sand.
“Organisation of this Mahakumbh of athletes will bring appreciation at all levels on Odisha's capability to host such a prestigious international sports event.
The event will be more inspirational for our youths and certainly enhance the strength and pride of our State,” said Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs Chandra Sarathi Behera.