Warm reception to Pakistan squad at CWG opener hailed

ISLAMABAD - The roaring applause extended to the Pakistani contingent by the spectators at the inaugural ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi has touched the Pakistani media, which gave huge displays to the colourful extravaganza.

As the 76-member Pakistan contingent, led by chef de mission Muhammad Ali Shah, entered the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, a packed-to-capacity audience greeted it with loud cheers and a standing ovation Sunday evening.

“The colourful and well-orchestrated ceremony overshadowed all allegations of mismanagement and corruption that had surrounded the Games prior to the start,” said Urdu daily Express. “The reception for the Pakistani athletes was also very supportive and beyond all conflicts of the past,” it added.

“Troubled Delhi Games open in style”, was the headline of Daily Times. “The spirit of festive and friendly atmosphere in the stadium was best illustrated when the Pakistan team was given a rousing reception despite the tense relations between the neighbours,” the paper wrote.

The News carried a big picture of the aerostat, showing Pakistan’s national flag, on its front page. “After the Mumbai attacks in 2008 by militants that killed more than 160 people, relations between Pakistan and India have not been very comfortable but the spectacle Sunday evening put everything in the background,” it stated.

Nawa-i-Waqt, a Urdu daily, had pictures of the Pakistani contingent and the aerostat over the glittering venue of the opening ceremony. The headline said “Controversy-stricken Commonwealth Games start, Delhi converted into a fortress”.

However, it rendered the Games theme song as “Jeeto, Utho, Bhago, Jeeto”, instead of “Jeeyo, Utho, badho, Jeeto”. The paper also noted that this was the first Commonwealth Games not to be inaugurated by the British Queen.

The Jang had a picture of the aerostat flashing the Pakistani flag as its contingent entered the stadium. Its matter-of-fact story also cited the unprecedented security, saying Delhi seemed a fortress.

Pakistani nationals from diverse walks of life also echoed similar sentiments while talking to IANS.

“I was pleasantly surprised at the cheers for our boys,” said Asma Islam, a college student. “I can’t resist saying that it is a fitting response to those quarters who were saying that Pakistan should also follow those athletes who had boycotted the Games,” she recalled.

“With the whole world watching, there could be no better message by the sportsmen and the crowd,” remarked former Olympian and hockey legend Islahuddin. “The grand opening of the event and the reception accorded to Pakistani athletes bear testimony to the fact that sports is beyond any politics or regional divide,” he said.