Lusofonia GamesLusofonia Games get off to a rollicking start

Fatorda (Goa): The third edition of the Portuguese Commonwealth Games, popularly known as Lusofonia Games, kick started at a glittering ceremony held at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here today.

Twelve Portuguese-speaking countries are participating in this twelve-day long event that will culminate on January 29.

The opening ceremony was attended by over 20,000 spectators. Goa Governor B V Wanchoo, who was the chief guest, declared the games open. State Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was present for the event.

"These games will go a long way in projecting Goa as a successful host of an international event. They will also promote friendship and camaraderie with other nations with whom we have a rich heritage of trade relations and cultural similarities," Wanchoo said.

He stated that the new and refurbished world class sports facilities will not only stimulate sports, but also act as a catalyst for overall infrastructural transformation in the future.

Nearly 700 players from 12 nations- Goa (India), Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Macau (China), Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and Sri Lanka.

Jojo, the mascot of the games, heralded the parade followed by the team from Portugal. The contigents of Goa (India) and Macau (China) had the largest participation amongst the participating nations. Indian team was wearing traditional saffron yellow turbans.

The Lusofonia torch was brought at the stadium after it travelled across the state during the day.

"We have created the infrastructure for Lusofonia Games in a record time," Parrikar said addressing the opening ceremony.

Goa's name will now feature in the international sports arena after these games which are participated by 12 countries, Parrikar added.

"The hosting of the games signifies indomitable courage as Parrikar decided to honour the commitments given to host the games," said Keshav Chandra, Chief Executive Officer of Lusofonia Games. This is the biggest event Goa has ever organised in terms of its scale, he claimed. ACOLOP (Associa o dos Comit s Ol mpicos de L ngua Oficial Portugues), the main organisers for the event thanked Goa for hosting the ceremony. "The hosting of the games has indicated the committment of the government," said Alex Vong, president of ACOLOP, wishing luck for the participating nations.

Athletes will compete in nine different sporting disciplines, including athletics, basketball, beach, volleyball, football, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball and wushu. For the opening ceremony, 2,000 performers put up a display of country's rich art during the three hour long ceremony.