Flags hoisted as athletes shun traditional attire

JAKARTA: The team welcome ceremony – commonly called the flagraising ceremony – is where the athletes from competing countries converge, mingle, share pleasantries and renew their pledge to compete in the spirit of the game.

It is a tradition which is followed religiously, with the national flags of the respective countries being unfurled amidst gaiety and fanfare and performers entertaining the motley crowd of athletes and officials. The ceremony at the Asian Games Village here was no different, and what was in abundance was the warmth of the host country.

Unlike the Incheon Asian Games in 2014 which was frugal in vibrancy and intent, not for a moment did the ceremony on Thursday feel like it was a poor accompaniment to the real thing, which begins in two days’ time. Not for a moment did it feel that the event was being kept alive for the sake of tradition.

Festivity pervaded the atmosphere as 60-70 members of the Indian contingent – who shared the time slot with Qatar and Macau, China – lazily sauntered into the ceremonial arena, but the verve and dash was missing, and so were many recognisable faces.

The traditional attire the contingents wore till the last Asian Games too was replaced by track suits, which, though made the atmosphere look more professional, took away a huge chunk of the tradition from the event.