Spectacular

The opening ceremony of the 10th SA Games :

Dinesh Weerawansa

SA GAMES: It was a night to remember for the capacity crowd at the Sugathadasa Stadium and thousands of television viewers in the subcontinent as the tenth edition of the South Asian Games started with a spectacular opening ceremony in Colombo yesterday.

A new era in Sri Lanka sports began when President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared the Games open before thousands of jubilant and wildly cheering home supporters and nearly 2,500 participants from eight South Asian nations.

The opening ceremony had all the ingredients to cater to different tastes of the participating nations. It was a blend of Sri Lankan culture and the unity of South Asian sports family.

There was excitement and celebration all over as the local sports fans warmly welcomed the return of the South Asian version of the Olympics back to Sri Lanka after 15 years.

Sri Lanka Army and Air Force parachutists then appeared from the skies, sporting the flags of the participating nations, South Asian and the NOC.

The sports loving President, who has played a significant role towards the success of the Games with dynamic leadership to the Organising Committee, was a happy man as he graced the grand opening as the chief guest.

"Sri Lanka is honoured and privileged to host the 10th South Asian Games," he said, adding that the Government attaches much significance to the Games in view of its vital contribution towards strengthening the bonds of friendship and solidarity of the people of the region, particularly the youth.

"The South Asian sportsmen and women have a long way to go to be competitive at international events. In this respect, the SA Games provide a launching pad for talented sportsmen and women of our region to enter the international arena with confidence and hope," he observed in his message.

President Rajapaksa expressed confidence that the young visitors from the seven neighbouring countries would not only find the SA Games enjoyable but also would enjoy the "warm hospitality of the Lankan people and be able to get acquainted with the charm and beauty of our resplendent island".

Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa also graced the occasion.

Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe, as the overall captain of the contingent from the host nation, proudly carried the Lion flag at the opening ceremony parade of the participating nations.

There were several other World Games and Asian Games medallists representing Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan in their respective contingents.

There was an exhibition display of 'pora pol gaseema', a traditional sport of Sri Lanka, which symbolises the official logo of the Games.

The Games torch began its final journey from the Temple Trees and reached the stadium during the opening ceremony.

Former Asian Games high jump gold medallist Nagalinga Ethirvirasingam and ex-Commonwealth Games women's 100m hurdles silver medallist Sriyani Kulawansa did the final lap before they lit the Games torch to signal the commencement of the mega event.

Adding colour to the South Asian sports extravaganza was an eye-catching fire works display provided by the Government of China, the hosts of the next Olympic Games in 2008.

Amongst the distinguished gathering were the Co-chairmen of the 10th SA Games Organising Committee, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Jeevan Kumaranatunga and the President of the NOC Hemasiri Fernando and the Speaker of the Sri Lanka Parliament, W.J.M. Lokubandara.

Welcoming the members of the South Asian Olympic family, Fernando assured the guests a memorable tens days of action and true Sri Lanka hospitality. He also paid a glowing tribute to President Rajapaksa for the guidance and inspiration given to the organisers.

Minister Kumaranatunga said it is a proud occasion for Sri Lanka sports as the island nation has beaten all odds to host the big event after one and a half decades.

The galaxy of stars and the VVIPs present at the opening ceremony included several Ministers, MPs, Provincial Councillors, diplomats, top Olympic officials from the participating nations and Asian/ world sports officials.

Meanwhile, the India's Rupesh Kumar and Sanjev Thomas became the first gold medallists of the 10th South Asian Games.

They achieved this feat in grand style, beating the Sri Lankan combination of Duminda Jayakody and Thushara Edirisinghe by two sets to nil in the men's doubles final of the badminton competition.

It was a complete Indian dominance in the final as Kumar and Thomas showed no mercy in thrashing the Lankan duo in straight sets 21-16, 21-10 at the adjoining Sugathadasa Indoor stadium yesterday.