Guangzhou City Lit Up With Colourful Lighthing At Asian Games Opening-November 13, 2010

November 13, 2010 00:07 AM

Guangzhou City Lit Up With Colourful Lighthing At Asian Games Opening

(GOOD WISHES TO OUR COUNTRYMEN/SPORTSPERSONS REPRESENTING OUR COUNTRY THERE FOR THEIR GREAT PERFORMANCES AND FOR WINNING MEDALS!!!.....VIBHA)

From Farhanah Azmi

From Farhanah Azmi GUANGZHOU, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- A spectacular display of colourful lighting and dazzling fireworks soared above Guangzhou city, leaving thousands of spectators spellbound to raise the curtain of the 16th Asian Games Friday night.

The 16-day sports extravaganza was officially opened by Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Among those who witnessed the historic occasion were Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.

At this Asian Games, Malaysia is banking on its largest contingent ever, comprising 337 athletes and 126 officials.

The athletes will be competing in 28 of the 42 sports events on offer.

During the opening, spectators were treated to a well-choreographed performance directed by Chen Weiya, the artistic maestro of the opening ceremony.

The spectacular ceremony used Guangzhou city and the Pearl River, the third longest river in China as the backdrop. The ceremony was the first ever sports event held outside a main stadium.

The opening kicked-off with a boat parade along the Pearl River with 45 decorated boats used to carry athletes from the 45 competing countries. The parade started from Baiertan and ended at the Haixinsha Square, where the official opening ceremony was held, a distance of 9.3km.

Nine Malaysian athletes and officials -- deputy chef-de-mission Datuk Musa Omar; Shalin Zulkifli and Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi (bowling); Mek Yam Jusoh and Harris Abu Bakar (women's criket team manager and coach); Zalina Zahid and Ernawati Mahmud (women's hockey team manager and player); Ian James Barr (swimming) and Chan Foon Keong (OCM official) -- were onboard of the Malaysian boat which was decorated with two of Malaysia's famous buildingd, the Sultan Abdul Samad building and the Petronas Twin Towers.

The main opening Ceremony, backed by a stunning light show, was themed around the local Lingnan culture.

Among the attractions were the appearance of film starlet Zhang Ziyi and world-renowned pianist Lang Lang who performed together in one of the highlights of a show that celebrated Guangzhou's history as China's gateway to the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

At the march-past event held at Haixinsha Square, the Malaysian contingent, led by Chef-de-Mission and National Sports Council director Datuk Zolkples Embong, marched in with national doubles badminton player Koo Kien Keat carrying the "Jalur Gemilang".

In the most tightly guarded secret of the ceremony, China's Beijing Olympic gold medalist diver He Chong acted like he was lighting up firecrackers with two children before the flame rose up to the cauldron.

China's badminton ace and a double world champion in the men'sdoubles event Fu Haifeng led the participating athletes while gymnastics referee Yan Ninan led the referees and technical delegates in taking the oath.

The hosts have received a total of 9,704 athletes, 184 more than the number recorded in the previous Asian Games in Doha, Qatar in 2006.

-- BERNAMA