Journalism of Courage
Led by their flag bearers in Hockey men’s team player Harmanpreet Singh and boxer Lovlina Borgohain, the Indian contingent walked in to loud cheers at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Asian Games at Hangzhou Olympics Sports Centre Stadium on Saturday.
India, who have a 650 plus strong contingent at the 18th edition of the Games, walked in with 100 athletes for the ceremony – dressed in the traditional attire of Kurta for men and sari for women.
The main theme of the opening ceremony was ‘Tides Surging in Asia’, on 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.
Among others present at the venue was the Chinese President Xi Jinping, who declared the Games open as more than 12,000 athletes from 45 countries gear up to fight for top honours till October 8.
The Olympic Council of Asia’s (OCA) acting president Randhir Singh, International Olympic Committee (IOC) head Thomas Bach, heads of several countries, officials of National Olympic Committees and host of other dignitary were also present on the occasion.
The ceremony had been marred by the controversy over the denial of entry to three Indian athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, following which India had cancelled the visit of its sports minister Anurag Thakur.
