The Beginning:
Yesterday the world wintessed one the most exciting and spectacular opening ceremony of any sporting event in recent past. Doha, capital city of The kingdom of Qatar played host to the magnificient event.



It looked like the Khalifa Stadium had become a vast ocean of Light, Peace, Youth, Enthusiasm, Curiosity, Knowledge, Science and what not.


The Story of Seeker:


The audience was left spell bound with stunning display of imagination of a Qatari Man following the evolution of Asian History, Culture, Tradition and Civilization. While looking out for life he found a lot of wonderful gifts in India. From there he returns to Arabia and see the virtue of Arabic culture, he also founds his belovbed one and marries her, at this juncture whole stadium was involved in the ceremony with flashing lights in everyones hands and release of party balloons from beneath every seat in stadium. The man then lives happilly and progresses in life.

The Evolution of Science:
After some while a thundering display of evolution of science was depicted in a way the said Qatari man answering and explaining the legacy and evlution Science to his young Son.


The display paid tributes to Asian cultre (like Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Arabic). Also a proud mention of Science and its inventors was made starting from Steam Engine to Rocket and IT.


The method or vehicle of transformation was Astrolabe (kind of a spaceship and also a Gyroscope), which was later used for an amazing display.

Every moment brought with it new suspense, new sounds, and amazingly designed new costumes.
In fact the lights and the costumes were the highlights of the ceremony.



The story of Qatar ended with promise of doha being city of future and flurry with exquisite display of fireworks.

Then followed the talented performer from Hong Kong,China, Jackie Cheung who performed the song ‘Together Now’ accompanied by hundreds of drummers as the Games' flag bearers entered the arena.


The Atheletes Parade:
Then the stadium was introduced to the athletes of the Games, to an enthusiastic reception from the thousands of spectators. Teams entered the stadium in different attires, some wearing tracksuits, others in suits, while countries such as Malaysia arrived in their own national dress. Hundreds of drummers beat out a rhythm for every team.

China were the first big team to enter the arena. They received a warm welcome and there were more cheers too as teams from India, Pakistan, Japan and Indonesia arrived, while the Gulf States were also roundly applauded.




The team from Kazakhstan had the most flamboyant headgear, parading in blue fedoras, while the Saudi Arabian team wowed the audience with glittery robes. IR Iran received a loud welcome as they entered the stadium with their Talisman Hossein Reza Zadah, the Iranian Hercules leading the way carrying the flag.

There were emotional welcomes too for the teams from Iraq and Palestine while those from Jordan, Oman and Lebanon also received huge support from the watching audience.

However, the loudest cheer of the night was left for the host nation, Qatar. The vast team took five minutes to walk to their positions as they stopped to be greeted by the waving Emir.


The show continues:
This followed by a mesmerizing performance of song "Reach Out" by India`s singing sensation young and bright Sunidhi Chauhan. She was accompanied by hundreds of children carrying Lighted Doves symbolising Peace.

Official Addresses:
The Heir apparent HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani took to the stage with the Olympic Council of Asia President, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah and greeted the athletes by saying the gathering here today celebrates young Asians and confirms the future of sports in the region.

The OCA president added that “The athletes are the core of the Games, years of practising and hard work will now be put to the test. I call upon athletes to engage in a competitive spirit and be fair to each other.”

Game declared Open:
It was then left to HH The Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani to officially open the Games, followed by a short burst of fireworks while Spanish tenor José Carreras sang a duet with Magida El Roumi and entranced the audience.



The lighting of Torch:
Then came the most closely guarded secret and most awaited event of the day, the Lighting of Torch.

The lights were dimmed and as the stadium was being engulfed by darkness entered the games torch in hands of world champion bowler Salem Bu Sharbak. He then passed the torch to star footballer Mubarak Mustafa who then exchanged with shooter Nasser Al Attiya. Attiya handed over to legendary middle distance runner Mohamed Suleiman who in turn handed on to former football international Mansour Muftah who finally passed the Flame to former international sprinter Talal Mansour.

The torch was then passed to HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Qatari equestrian captain who rose through the floor of the stadium astride his horse to accept the flame.

After giving a brief salute to the Emir, Al-Thani then turned and urged his mount into a gallop as he gallantly rode up a ramp that reached the full height of the stadium, much to the audience’s amazement.



This was the most stunning performance of the day as the rider and horse braved the steep slope and the height of the stadium balancing the torch to reach the couldrom. Which was applauded by thundering clapping from the audience.

At the top the Torch lit a gold star, which turned upwards within revolving circles which became the astrolabe of the Seekers quest. The flame was lit signalling the start of the 15th Asian Games.

Pyrotechnics then took over as the huge Sport Tower ignited at its peak into another glowing flame. Then a final volley of fireworks concluded the evening in spectacular fashion echoing all over Doha.

Overall this was one of the most beautifully crafted opening ceremony i have ever seen. This is the best part apart from exciting and tense competition about the sporting extravaganzas.