Let the Games begin!
The Gold Coast welcomed the 21st Commonwealth Games with a spectacular show of colours, pomp and fireworks at the Carrara Stadium. The Malaysian contingent, decked in their red baju Melayu and baju kurung, strode out with triple jumper Hakimi Ismail beari
WHAT a spectacular show! Gold Coast welcomed the 21st Commonwealth Games with a mix of cultural Australia and a fusion of the present in a spectacular night of colours, pomp and fireworks.
The Games were officially opened by the Prince of Wales – Prince Charles – in front of an estimated 35,000 crowd at the Carrara Stadium as 71 former British colonies came together.
This is the fifth time that the nation Down Under is hosting the Games after Sydney (1938), Perth (1962), Brisbane (1982) and Melbourne (2006).
It is the first time that Gold Coast, known as the Surfers’ Paradise, is hosting the Games for a total of 4,450 athletes.
And the future-techno display of the surfing culture was well presented during the opening ceremony.
A total of 275 events in 18 sports are being contested with Australia providing the largest contingent of 474 athletes.
Famed Aussie artistes Delta Goodrem, Christine Anu and Kate Noonan were among those who kept the crowd entertained.
After Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall made their appearances, the ceremony was followed by the Australian national anthem.
It was then time for the march-past with the 2014 hosts, Scotland, being the first nation out followed by the rest of the European nations in alphabetical order.
Bangladesh was the first Asian nation out, followed by Brunei, India and then Malaysia.
And Malaysian athletes, decked in their red baju Melayu and baju kurung, strode out with triple jumper Hakimi Ismail bearing the Jalur Gemilang.
A total of 147 Malaysian athletes and officials took part in the march-past.
“Today is a big event. It’s the first time I’ve had the opportunity to be the flag-bearer and I feel very proud,” gushed Hakimi.
“I hope I can represent my country well and do well in my own competition.”
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) flag was then ushered in by six athletes – Brendan Williams (Dominica), Natalie Du Toit (South Africa), Alison Shanks ( New Zealand), Dr Nicole Forrester (Canada), Colin Gregor (Scotland) and Rhona Toft (Scotland).
Finally, the Queen’s Baton was brought into the stadium in a Kombi van before being handed over to Prince Charles who then declared the Games open.