With all the controversies the opening ceremony was “world class”
Indian crowed cheered when Pakistani team approached the stadium, It will make you believe that we all are not different after all.
A dazzling, colourful, high-octane opening ceremony that was part Bollywood, part cultural extravaganza, did much to dispel the nightmares of the past fortnight, thrilling a sell-out crowd in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as well as the athletes and officials from 71 Commonwealth nations.
It even managed to start on time, to the very second, proving there are some deadlines that **Games **organisers are capable of meeting.
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TONY EASTLEY: After months of concern about security, infrastructure and corruption, and weeks of doubt about whether the Commonwealth Games would even be held at all, they officially got underway last night after a gala opening ceremony in the Indian capital.
For the most part the ceremony went without a hitch and organisers are hoping the rest of the games will be trouble free as well.
Neil Cross reports from New Delhi.
NEIL CROSS: In a break with tradition, just 25 minutes into the night the competitors made their entrance and perhaps in a portent of things to come, Australia led the way.
COMMENTATOR: Australia led out very, very proudly by Sharelle McMahon, the 33-year-old captain of the Australian netball Diamonds. She…
NEIL CROSS: There was a surprisingly upbeat reaction to the entrance of India’s bitter rival Pakistan and if the parade of athletes did become a tad tedious, well the appearance of the Indian team changed that as the stadium erupted into an outpouring of national pride.
COMMENTATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome into the stadium, the home country, India.
NEIL CROSS: With as many as two billion people watching around the Commonwealth, Prince Charles delivered the Queen’s message with customary aplomb.
PRINCE CHARLES: I firmly believe that when countries can compete in sports together like this, it serves as an inspiration to all nations to work together for peace throughout the world.
(Applause)
NEIL CROSS: While the reception for the Prince was polite, when the chairman of the organising committee and overseer of the sometimes calamitous build-up, Suresh Kalmadi, stepped up to the microphone it was rather mixed. Mr Kalamdi was intent on making his point about the games.
SURESH KALMADI: Seven years, 70,000 hours of effort. The glare of the world cameras, hopes and aspiration of a billion and the determination of a rising superpower, India is ready - ready to host the great Commonwealth Games.
(Crowd cheering)
NEIL CROSS: In keeping with this vast nation of more than a billion souls, two declarations were needed that the games were finally here - the first by the British prince.
PRINCE CHARLES: I have much pleasure in declaring the 19th Commonwealth Games open.
(Crowd cheering)
NEIL CROSS: And the second by the Indian president.
PRATIBHA PATIL: The Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi are now open.
(Crowd cheering)
Let the games begin.
NEIL CROSS: The opening was in equal parts a reminder of India’s 5,000-year-old culture, a pitch to future tourists and an example of how good it is when the world’s second-biggest population gets it right.
