Northeast India’s diverse and colourful culture were in full display as the curtains were brought down on the 12th South Asian Games amid magnificent fireworks that lit the night sky over the capital city on Tuesday.
Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal declared the Games closed at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium here to mark the formal end to the 12-day biggest multi-sporting spectacle of the eight SAARC countries, jointly co-hosted by Guwahati and Shillong.
“I declare the 12th South Asian Games closed,” Sonowal said in presence of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to bring a sombre end to the Games competed among more than 2500 athletes from eight countries.
The Games flame at the cauldron was extinguished as the Guwahati night sky was lit with fireworks. The flag of the South Asian Olympic Council was lowered and handed over to the officials of next host country — Nepal.
The evening on Tuesday began with performances by eight live bands from across the North Eastern states.
Dressed in light blue tract suits, the Indian contingent led the athletes of the eight countries, followed by next Games hosts Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Pakistan.
Then hundreds of the Games’ volunteers, dancing and singing in joyous mood, came after the athletes and baloons were lifted on the air with the rendition of Games song ‘Ei Prithbi krirangan (the whole world is a playground).” The whole cultural show was of about Northeast India.
First, it was legendary Shillong-based rock musician-singer lou Majaw who enthralled the near capacity crowd.
The crowd was given a special treat with Bollywood singer Shaan belting out some of his popular hits.