Queen’s Baton Relay reaches Lucknow

LUCKNOW - The Queen’s Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games arrived here Friday amid festivities and euphoria among schoolchildren, sportspersons, dignitaries and the general public.

The baton, which arrived from Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district, where it had a night stay Thursday, was handed over to the state’s olympic association general secretary Anandeshwar Pandey, senior government officials and public representatives at Itaunja town.

“Children, sportspersons and enthusiastic public had lined up on both sides of the roads to cheer us. All of them gave a rousing welcome as the baton relay entered Lucknow,” Pandey told reporters here.

“It was a memorable moment. From Itaunja, the baton proceeded towards historic places of Lucknow, where photo-sessions were conducted. Several places from where the baton passed were decorated beautifully with colourful lights and gave a bridal look during late evening,” he added.

According to officials, a number of cultural events were underway at the City Montessori School (CMS) in Gomti Nagar where the baton reached late in the evening.

The customary Queen’s Baton Relay run would be organised in Lucknow Saturday. The baton will later travel around 19 districts of the state, before it reaches Bihar July 13. It will re-enter Uttar Pradesh from Jhansi district July 19, Pandey said.

The baton has travelled nearly 170,000 km through nearly 70 Commonwealth countries before arriving in India for the Games Oct 3-14 in New Delhi.