If security chokes, rain dampens

Setbacks fail to dampen spirit as the 33rd National Games take off at Guwahati today

Early day sunshine was washed away by a heavy downpour in the afternoon even as organisers were busy giving finishing touches to the venues. There was also a full dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony for the 33rd National Games at Guwahati today. After two days of indifferent weather, the morning failed to show what was to follow.

Guwahati Met office director H Pathak said more rain is expected in the next 24 hours, with chance of thunderstorms.

One has to cross four heavily guarded police barricades before one can enter the city from the airport. Relevant papers were checked everywhere. Inside the city, the distance between the barricades lessened. But no one seemed to be objecting too much. The sun too was shining then.

8220;ULFA8217;s withdrawal of the boycott call or not, the security for the Games will be very tight,8221; chief minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi, who also happens to be the president of the organising committee, had said. 8220;This security is also to reassure the participants that everything is in place as far as the security of the Games is concerned,8221; he mentioned.

But despite such assurances, questions remain. Has the ULFA really withdrawn its boycott call? What if they have a rival faction and they strike like it happens in the J038;K? Does the common man want the Games to be held? Does ULFA have a very strong mass support?

Despite the choking security and the chaos that the rain gods have poured on Guwahati, the enthusiasm among athletes, officials and sports lovers in the city was very much palpable. Last minute pass-collection was going strong.

In fact, the excitement started many kilometres away. Aboard the Guwahati-bound flight from Delhi, the Chandigarh team egged on the crew to hurry up even after the announcement that the flight was ready for take-off: 8220;Aab to chal na yaar. Humko Guwahati mein Games khelna hai,8221; said one to a peal of laughter from co-passengers. They were so eager to reach the Games Village that one of the athletes picked up the wrong luggage at the airport in excitement. But that was all in the right spirit as just performing well at the Games was what they were all focused on.