Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 36th National Games in a spectacular opening ceremony here on Thursday evening.
A crowd of well over 1 lakh people attended the ceremony which lasted over one hour.
Maana Patel, a swimmer from first-time hosts Gujarat, brought in the symbolic Torch of Unity into the arena and handed it over to the Prime Minister.
Applauded by a galaxy of current and past sports icons, including Neeraj Chopra, PV Sindhu, Ravi Dahiya, Mirabai Chanu, Gagan Narang, Dilip Tirkey and Anju Bobby George, Modi placed the Torch on the podium for it to be lit by augmented reality.
Watch videos posted by PM Modi himself:
Rockstar welcome for PM @narendramodi at inauguration of National Games in Ahmedabad, Gujarat! pic.twitter.com/w0ueOoYg22
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) September 29, 2022
Electrifying atmosphere at inauguration of National Games in Ahmedabad, Gujarat! pic.twitter.com/9g1UbeKIuy
— narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) September 29, 2022
“This sight, this ambience can’t be described in words. In the world’s biggest stadium, one of the world’s youngest countries is witnessing India’s biggest sports festival,” he said.
Modi said the Games anthem ‘Judega India, Jitega India’ will help act as a launch pad for every youngster.
“Fortunately, the auspicious festival of Navratri is taking place at this moment. I invite players from different states to not only enjoy the Games but also the festivities in Gujarat. To the people of Gujarat, I ask you to leave no stone unturned in your hospitality,” he added.
Spectacular fireworks lit up the massive stadium to mark the beginning of the National Games, which are being held after a gap of seven years.
