The Asian Games officially got underway in Hangzhou, China on Saturday, 23rd September. The city hosted a dazzling opening ceremony at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre. It featured several new-age cutting-edge technology, enthralling the od 80,000 spectators as well as Asians across the globe.
The 19th edition of the Asiad was originally scheduled in 2022. China’s strict zero-Covid regime delayed it by a year. The event is finally on with more than 12,000 competitors set to compete in 40 sports. More than 45 nations will participate in the tournament.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping officially declared the games Open at the Opening ceremony. In keeping with the main theme of ‘Tides Surging in Asia’, the ceremony was about the intermingling of China, Asia and the world in the new era, as well as the unity, love and friendship of the Asian people.
The water element through the surging tide of Qiantang river — which flows through Hangzhou — was the underlying theme of the grand evening which lasted nearly two hours.
The ceremony sought to portray a distinctly Chinese and an uniquely Asian flair, capturing the country’s cultural heritage and romantic imagery through the blending of its thousands of years old civilization and modern technology, through stunning visuals.
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Asian Games Opening Ceremony – No to crackers and fireworks
The technological might of China was written all over with the lighting of the cauldron — the Games’ Flame — being done in a unique way. Digital technology was utilised as torchbearers in the virtual and physical worlds jointly lighted the cauldron.
In keeping with the concept of ‘Green Asian Games’ or carbon-neutral Games, the opening ceremony used digital fireworks instead of real ones. It, nevertheless, created a thrilling atmosphere.
The nearly-packed 80,000 capacity ‘Big Lotus’ stadium was decked up elegantly for the occasion and welcomed the athletes from the participating countries, including India, with loud cheers.
Lovlina Borgohain & Harmanpreet Singh – India’s Flag-bearers
Leading India’s largest-ever contingent at the Opening ceremony were Indian Men’s Hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Tokyo Olympic Bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain.
Loud cheers greeted the nearly 100 Indian athletes and officials as they marched into the stadium. The Indian contingent walked out for the athletes’ parade in eighth position.
From the tennis team, only Ramkumar Ramanathan participated in the parade since the other players have matches on Sunday. The male athletes were clad in bandhgala jacket and khaki kurta while their female counterparts donned high-necked blouse and khaki-textured saree made from recycled fabrics.
India is eyeing its strongest-ever show in the Asiad. The nation is sending its largest-ever contingent to the multi-sport event as 655 Indian athletes will be in action across 39 sports disciplines.
India meanwhile is protesting against China’s decision to deny visas to athletes from Arunachal Pradesh. Three Wushu players have not been granted the visa to enter China. While India’s External Affairs Ministry has condemed China’s decision, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur was not present for the opening ceremony as a mark of protest.
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