New Delhi, Oct 2 (IANS) The much-awaited gala inaugural of the Commonwealth Games will take place here Sunday at 7 p.m., with all roads leading to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The two-hour ceremony will start with President Pratibha Patil and Britain’s Prince Charles officially declaring the Oct 3-14 Games open before an expected packed crowd of 65,000 — and millions glued to televisions all over the world.
This is the first time the Games are being opened by two dignitaries as part of a compromise pact between the hosts and the Commonwealth Games Federation.
In another first for the Games, the athletes will march in with their respective countries’ contingents and take their seats alongside guests.
The guest will include New Zealand Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, Monaco’s Prince Albert II and Presidents Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives and Marcus Stephen of Nauru.
Also present will be International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge and Commonwealth Games Federation’s Mike Fennel.
Around 7,000 men, women and children will take part in the opening ceremony which is divided into six segments: Rhythm of India, Swagatam, Tree of Knowledge, Yoga, Great Indian Journey and Oscar winner composer A.R. Rahman’s rendition of the CWG anthem ‘Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto’.
