Odisha CM Patnaik declares Asian Athletics C’ship open as cultural extravaganza marks opening ceremony
The 22nd Asian Athletics Championships kick-started at the imposing Kalinga Stadium here on Wednesday with fanfare.
The 40-minute cultural show was a tribute to the State's rich and ancient history that includes the Buddhist connection.
Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said: "On March 30, 2017, Odisha was named the host for the Asian Athletics Champions. We always had the resolve and prepared for this world class event in 90 days. This event marks the golden era of sports in the State."
It all began with the contingent march wherein Pakistan team was given a rousing welcome. The Indian contingent got the maximum applause and had the crowd on their feet. Then came the National Anthem and the Chief Minister's speech.
Once the official protocol was over, it all began with the Sun leading you through the history of the State. This was in perfect sync with the dance on stage.
A dance showcasing the perils of the sea was beautifully brought to light as was the Kalinga Wars as the third act.
The red and orange dresses depicted the bloodbath that followed back then.
The Thousand Hands of Buddha by Thailand troupe brought the stage to life as were the others acts that followed that included the temple act showcasing Konark and its construction.
Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan along with his troupe mesmerized more than the 20,000 spectators who had come to watch the opening ceremony.
He not only sang a sports themed song but also numbers like Breathless and Koi Kahey. The fact that he sang an Odiya song added to the absolutely scintillating performance and had the entire stadium dancing.
But the highlight of the ceremony was the laser show and the performance by artists in balloons. The mid-air acrobatics were spell bounding. The celebration of light that followed the helium show was truly electric.
Talking about the brilliant performance, Nupur Mahajan, Group CEO, Percept said: "The opening ceremony was a narrative of Odisha told by a confluence of performing arts with artists from the State, India and the world. Just as AAC is coming together of athletes, the show was a convergence of art forms and artists."
The four-day event -- from 6 to 9 July 2017 -- will see more than 750 athletes from Asia contesting in 45 field events. The champions from this Meet will automatically enter in to the World Championships to be held in london this August.
As many as 13 defending champions from the last edition held at Wuhan, two years ago, are looking to defend their title in the coming days. Defending Asian champion and continental record-holder Femi Seun Ogunode will be the main contender in the 100 and 200m. Chances are bright for Indian athletes to make the top podium finish in 400m with national record-holder Muhammed Anas leading the lists in Asia this season with 45.32 seconds clocking in New Delhi six weeks back. Incheon Asian Games bronze medalist Arokia Rajiv, who on last Saturday clocked a season best 46.13 secs to win the Kozanov memorial meet at Almaty, is closing in for an epic battle with Anas as also Japan's Takamasa Kitagawa and Iranian Ali Khadivar with season best timings of 45.48 and 45.64 secs respectively. Oman's Asian indoor bronze medalist Ahmed Mubarak Al-Saadi, with a career best 45.89 secs, will be the other strong contender in the one lap race.
Meanwhile, the locals will cheer for two of their daughters in the women's sprint races here. Dutee Chand will be main attraction as she heads the season lists for Asia with the legal Indian best of 11.30 secs achieved during the Indian Grand Prix at Delhi in the middle of May. The second Odisha sprinter Srabani Nanda is much stronger in 200m.
What is commendable is that this Meet was put together within a span of 90 days with the mascot being unveiled on May 7 giving games an identity. The mascot represents the endangered Olive Ridley Sea Turtles whose biggest home is at the Gahirmatha Beach in Odisha. The idea is to generate awareness and preserve the habitat of these beautiful creatures.
Off late, Bhubaneshwar has emerged as a sought-after destination for many competitions. The city is all set to play host to Hockey World league Final in December 2017 and the Men's Hockey World Cup in December 2018.