Bhopal:Thursday, September 18, 2008:The Second Asian All Star Athletics Championship was inaugurated here today at Tatya Tope Stadium. Dancers from various regions of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Punjab presented attractive dances at the grand and memorable opening ceremony.
The dances presented included Gangaur of Nimar, Mayoor of Malwa, Navrata of Bundelkhand, Matki of Malwa, Badhai of Bundelkhand, Kangwarliya of Malwa, Baredi of Bundelkhand, Bhagoriya of Jhabua, Duldul Ghori of Rajasthan and Bhangra of Punjab.
Indian Olympic Association president Shri Suresh Kalmadi declared open the meet.. He said that organisation of this prestigious championship at Bhopal was a matter of pride for Madhya Pradesh. He praised the state Sports Department for meticulous arrangements for the championship during which players would have no inconvenience. Shri Kalmadi said that this championship would prove to be useful for preparations for Commonwealth Games to be held in October 2010.
In his welcome address, Madhya Pradesh Sports Council vice-president Shri Om Yadav said that organisation of this championship is a matter of pride for not only Bhopal but for Madhya Pradesh also. He thanked All-India Olympic Association for holding this championship. He said that the state government had undertaken all out efforts to make this meet successful. Shri Yadav said that every possible effort was being made by Madhya Pradesh government to encourage and promote sports as well as sports persons. On the behalf of Madhya Pradesh government, Shri Yadav thanked all the athletes and visitors from various countries.
On this occasion, Mayor Shri Sunil Sood, Asian Athletics Association secretary Shri Morris Nicholas, Madhya Pradesh Olympic president Shri Mahesh Joshi, Indian Athletics Association general secretary Shri Lalit Bhanot, Additional Chief Secretary Sports and Youth Welfare Smt. Ranjana Choudhary, Director Sports Shri Sanjay Choudhary and presidents of Olympic Associations of various countries and sports lovers were specially present.
The events of the Second Asian All Star Athletics Championship include javelin throw, triple jump, high jump, 400 metre hurdles, shot put and discus throw in which athletes from India, Uzbekistan, Iran, Japan, Pakistan, China, Thailand, Korea, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Syria, Vietnam, Nepal, Hong Kong, Philippines etc are taking part.
The programme was conducted by Shri Padam Bhandari.
