Bhubaneswar, July 5: The 22nd Asian Athletics Championships wereofficially declared open on Wednesday evening at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar,
the capital city of Odisha.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik declared the championships open
at the Kaling Stadium to mark the formal beginning of the event signaling State’s
emergence as a strong force in global sports arena in the presence of State
Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera, International Association of Athletics
Federations president Sebastian Coe and many other dignitaries in the jam
packed stadium.
at the Kaling Stadium to mark the formal beginning of the event signaling State’s
emergence as a strong force in global sports arena in the presence of State
Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera, International Association of Athletics
Federations president Sebastian Coe and many other dignitaries in the jam
packed stadium.
The mega event will
end on July 9.
end on July 9.
The CM in his inaugural speech welcomed Asia to Bhubaneswar. “Hello
Asia, Welcome to Bhubaneswar,” the CM said.
Asia, Welcome to Bhubaneswar,” the CM said.
Bhubaneswar got ready to host the prestigious Championships
in just 90 days after Jharkhand Government, which was to host the event
earlier, pulled out at the last minute. More than 800 athletes and 320
officials from 45 countries are participating in Championships featuring 42
events and 20 world champion athletes while three lakh sq. ft. of area in the stadium
has undergone grass turfing.
in just 90 days after Jharkhand Government, which was to host the event
earlier, pulled out at the last minute. More than 800 athletes and 320
officials from 45 countries are participating in Championships featuring 42
events and 20 world champion athletes while three lakh sq. ft. of area in the stadium
has undergone grass turfing.
“AAC 2017 shows how determination & teamwork can create
wonders and achieve the unimaginable. I look forward to be at the grand opening
ceremony and the various events. I seek cooperation of all to make AAC 2017 the
best in the history of Asian Athletics Championships,” the CM posted in his
Facebook page on Tuesday.
wonders and achieve the unimaginable. I look forward to be at the grand opening
ceremony and the various events. I seek cooperation of all to make AAC 2017 the
best in the history of Asian Athletics Championships,” the CM posted in his
Facebook page on Tuesday.
CM also urged the athletes to give their best on and off
ground, and at the same time asked them to explore and experience the beauty,
culture and heritage of Odisha.
ground, and at the same time asked them to explore and experience the beauty,
culture and heritage of Odisha.