Bhubaneawar, January 15: As part of its epic journey, the 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton commenced its journey in Odisha, from Kalinga Stadium with Olympians, Dutee Chand and Sunita Lakra carrying the baton and officially, kicking off the relay to historic landmarks – Shree Jagannath Temple and Blue Flag Beach in Puri and thereafter to Konark Sun Temple where it was received by officials of the State Sports Department and the district administration.
It later arrived at Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar where it was received by Governor Ganeshi Lal from Shradhanjali Samanatray, the ace footballer from the State. The Queen’s Baton then toured the temple city of Bhubaneswar before arriving at the Kalinga Stadium for the last-leg of the relay.
Sportspersons, Rakhal Sethy, Roshan Minz, Dileshwar Rao and coaches Rajesh Singh, Kalu Charan Choudhry, Lucela Ekka, Lipika Mohapatra, St. Victor Minz participated in today’s relay.
The Queen’s Baton Relay culminated with Dutee Chand handing over the baton to Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports and Youth Services, Govt of Odisha, R.Vineel Krishna, at the Kalinga Stadium, who received it with honours, in the presence of Bijay Nayak, Executive Chairperson, State Youth welfare Board, before handing it over to Indian Olympic Association, amidst an audience of sportspersons and officials of the state ecosystem.
In a video message, Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, shared, “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Odisha. The Queen’s Baton Relay is one of the best traditions of the Commonwealth Games and it is an honour for Odisha to be a part of its epic journey. Odisha has produced many eminent sportspersons and we are extremely delighted that today some of our finest sports persons participated in the relay and became a part of the history of Commonwealth Games.
I wish grand success of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, he added.
Thanking the Chief Minister, in a video message, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, Nick Low, said, “I know Odisha will give the Queen’s Baton Relay the warmest of welcomes. Birmingham looks forward to giving the athletes and officials from Odisha and from across India an equally warm reception.”
The Queen’s Baton that will depart Odisha for its next destination, Singapore, was given a spectacular and befitting send off at the Kalinga Stadium amidst fireworks that lit up the night sky.
