African athletes dress in traditional finery at CWG opener

NEW DELHI - Participants from most of the African countries were in their traditional finery as they marched into the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium for the opening ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games here Sunday evening.

Green was the common colour theme across the African nations from Zambia to Ghana and Rwanda, who wore their traditional outfits. South Africa came brandishing the vuvuzela, which has become an iconic sporting accessory since the football World Cup earlier this year.

The Nigerian women were in elegant white and green traditional outfits, set off by tall headgear in the same colours.

Ninteen African countries are taking part in the Commonwealth Games, which end Oct 14.