SHILLONG, JAN 6: The dazzling opening of the Shillong leg of the South Asian Games on Saturday will certainly recast the image of Shillong not only as the salubrious destination for tourists but, now, also as a place where international events can be hosted on a grander scale meeting international standard.
Shillong could not have asked for a better platform to showcase its organizational skill, albeit at shorter notice, as it made its international sporting debut playing host to eight nations with the smoothness of knife cutting into the butter.
The apparent pride of Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, who was the chief guest, was visible as he said, “We will definitely look forward to hosting many more international events in the years to come.”
Sangma said this grand International sporting event will take the state further in its endeavour to hold such international event.” He did not forget to mention that last year Meghalaya had held another international event “Terra Madre’ which he termed as successful.
Union minister of state for sports & youth affairs (Independent Charge) , Sarbananda Sonowal, Vice Chairman of the Games Technical Coordination Committee, Indian Olympic Association SM Bali, Meghalaya minister of sports & youth affairs Zenith Sangma were the other dignitaries present during the ceremony.
As the contingent of the eight participating nations from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan and Bhutan marched through the JN stadium in an evening flooded in colourful laser lights, the enormity of the events sunk into the spectators who generously applauded at each team.
The magnitude of the international sporting event can be gauged from the fact that 821 athletes are participating in the eight disciplines that are being hosted in Shillong. Sri Lanka had the largest contingent with 153 athletes, followed by host India 141, Nepal 128, Bangladesh 127, Afghanistan 94, Pakistan 85, Bhutan 55 and Maldives 38.
For the music loving people of the state, the grand opening ceremony of the 12th South Asian international sporting event in Shillong was just what they desperately needed on a February night where the wintry chill refuses to let go to usher warmer days.
The medley of songs, dances kept the spectators spellbound as tribal dances of Meghalaya and other north eastern states displayed the richness of region that mainland India still is grappling to understand.
The ceremony, however, went well beyond showcasing the cultural diversity of the state where Khasi, Jaintia and Garo dances were showcased as local girl Venetia Wanshong and Indian Idol icon and Bollywood actor Meiyang Chang set the stadium on fire with Bollywood numbers. The Shillong Chamber Choir added to the splendor as it pitched the night to higher scale of musical brilliance that it is known for.
Like the chief minister said, Shillong will no longer be same again after holding the mega sporting events as it will crave for more.-By Our Reporter
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