Commonwealth Games off to dazzling start
India lived up to its promise that all would be well when the Games get rolling as the hosts deliver a dazzling opening ceremony to kick start the Commonwealth Games.
The run-up to the biggest sporting event in the country for nearly two decades was marked by a plethora of controversies from corruption to gross mismanagement yet it was all forgotten in a breadth taking display of colour, glitz, and, lights, that left
the audience awestruck.
The one billion inhabitants of the country were left beaming with pride, in a show that captivated the 60,000 plus audience besides billions of viewers, who were tuned in on their TV screens across the world.
The Delhi Commonwealth Games overcame the threats emanating from lack of hygiene and security issues to show to the World that they mean business.
The people, who flocked to the Nehru stadium in Delhi for the occasion, were in no doubt about how well organised it was, with some terming it an "out of the world" experience.
"It was creative and innovative. Initially, there was some doubt as to how the games will be organised but after seeing the opening ceremony it seems the games will go well....I liked the performance of A. R. Rahman", said a resident of Delhi.
"Programme was very good including the cultural part and the fireworks. I also liked A. R. Rahman's performance," added another spectator, beaming with joy.
Meanwhile, the venue and the adjoining areas gave the look of a fortress as security personnel were on high alert during the day with armed policemen deployed all around the city as well as at the entrance points leading into the Indian capital.
More than 100,000 security personnel, besides 15 bomb disposal squads and 3000 sniffer dogs were spread all over the city to ensure an incident free beginning to the event.
The athletes, who had converged from all over the world and had complained of Shoddy construction and filthy toilets at the Games Village, were all smiles as they made their way into the stadium smiling and waving at fans, who cheered most of the squads
upon their entry.
The amazed spectators on the other hand felt sheer delirium admitting that they were impressed by the colourful event and hoped for a good performance by the Indian contingent, which is eying a finish amongst the top three in the event.
The sentiments of the fans were more or less the same and a sense of pride was visible on their faces as they lauded the organisers for the bewitching opening ceremony.
"I have just seen the entire ceremony of the Commonwealth Games here, the arrangement was very good, I could not believe that India can represent at this level. Earlier we heard a lot of reports but whatever I saw was very good”, said one fan.
“Indian athletes have been performing well lately, so I hope that will represent the country well", added another young student.
The fireworks display caught the imagination of most of the fans the display that illuminated the stadium and adjoining areas could be seen several metres away from the opening ceremony venue.
However, it was not the fireworks alone that dazzled the fans they also cheered another spellbinding performance by veteran music composer AR Rahman.
"Great show, the security arrangement was very good, A R Rahman performed really well; overall it was very good. I am sure India will do very well and the games will go smooth", said another fan, who was thrilled to see his nation deliver the goods amid
the controversies.
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