National Games torch relay to start amidst high spirits

Guwahati, Feb 7 (UNI) The torch relay for the 33rd National Games, starting from February 9, would be rolled out from across the host state Asom, on its way to the main stadium at Sarusajai in Guwahati for the opening ceremony.

Various legs of the relay began in high spirits in all parts of the state since yesterday, with the withdrawal of the ULFA boycott call adding to the enthusiasm of the people.

The torch reached the canoeing and kayaking venue at Choron Beel in Morigaon, co-host of the Games with Guwahati, yesterday.

Five prominent and veteran sports persons of the district, along with two of their associates, carried the torch in a relay to the venue. Hundreds of people have lined up on both sides of the route, displaying banners, to cheer the relay team.

Torch relays were also taken out in other parts of the state, including Sibsagar, Nalbari, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Jorhat and Rangia.

The relays from all parts would converge to the National Games Secretariat (NGS) in the city today.

The city leg of the relay would start tomorrow morning and culminate at the Sarusajai main stadium the day after, marking the opening of the Games.

The Kamrup district administration has drawn out an elaborate programme for the city leg of the relay, which is scheduled to touch main place of the city.

NGS sources informed that the torch would be carried to the main stadium for the opening ceremony by badminton star Dipankar Bhattacharjee.

He would hand it over to former Table Tennis star of the state Monalisa Barua Mehta, who, in turn, would give it to Arjuna awardee Bhogeswar Barua after traversing through the stadium.

Mr Barua would light the main torch, marking the opening of the Games.

UNI