QBR reaches Chennai city

A sudden downpour gave way to bright sunlight and unexpectedly to extreme sultry conditions. But nobody was complaining as enthusiasm was high and the settings were perfect for the launch of the Chennai leg of the Commonwealth Games-Queen's Baton Relay on Friday.

Hundreds of schoolchildren had lined up the relay route waving tiny flags and balloons and at the starting point — Island Grounds — a tastefully decorated dais awaited the dignitaries for the occasion. Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Sports and Environment Minister T.P.M. Mohideen Khan, Tamil Nadu Olympic Association President B. Sivanthi Adityan and Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi were present.

Alongside, there was another raised platform where schoolchildren in colourful attires caught the attention with their dance performances to music, which included the now familiar ‘Waka waka' of FIFA World Cup South Africa fame.

Soaked in sweat, thanks to the hyper humidity, the eminent sportspersons waited for their turn to get into focus and it did not take long for the brief function to get underway with the arrival of Mr Stalin. In keeping with the protocol, the Queen's Baton, brought onto the stage by Raj Kadyan, Additional Director-General, QBR Organising Committee, was handed over by him to Mr. Adityan who in turn passed it on to Mr. Stalin in the presence of Mr. Mohideen Khan.

Chess champion Viswanathan Anand and Olympian athlete V. Jayalakshmi came on together to receive the baton from the Deputy Chief Minister even as other leading sports persons — Ramesh Krishnan, V. Baskaran, V.J. Philips, R. Gnanasekaran, Sebastian Xavier, Mohd. Riyaz, G.E. Sreedharan, Joshna Chinappa, Shiny Wilson and Wilson Cherian — got ready for the first lap.

Cheers rent the air, even if a touch of chaos crept in, as the small group of sportspersons led by Anand and Jayalakshmi, surged ahead. Other runners joined in, while the long convoy of vehicles made a slow start in front. The first lap stretched to not more than 100 metres, up to the exit of the enclosed venue, of the near 5 km route to the Indoor stadium.

In addition, around 50 well-known sportspersons from various disciplines stood in readiness at different points en route to keep the chain going.

The hour-long relay ended at the Nehru Indoor stadium where the Additional Chief Secretary Debendranath Sarangi received the baton from athletes Charles Boromeo and Angela Lincy. He expressed happiness over the successful exercise. The day's programme culminated with cultural programmes and release of a special postal cover by the Chief Postmaster-General. Mr Sripathi received the first cover. On Saturday, the baton will proceed to Puducherry.