Normally, closing ceremonies of multi-disciplinary events like the Olympics, Asian Games or even the CWG, are not as grand as the opening ceremonies. However, Delhi CWG 2010 was lavish in its signing off too
Normally, closing ceremonies of multi-disciplinary events like the Olympics, Asian Games or even the CWG, are not as grand as the opening ceremonies. However, Delhi CWG 2010 was lavish in its signing off too.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was dressed up like a bride even as the guests began trooping in a couple of hours before the scheduled start of the closing ceremony. The gigantic Helium Balloon once again formed the central figure of the programme, just like in the opening. 
Traditional Indian martial arts like Kalaripayattu, the Naga Warrior formation, Gatka, Akhara, Talwar Raas, etc dating back to several centuries aptly kicked off the ceremony in a fitting tribute to the athletic warriors from the 71 participating nations, who set the sporting world ablaze with their heroics across the last 12 days. The Indian armed forces with a band each from the military, air force and navy, then thrilled the audience with their music.
Then, it was time for the sporting heroes to take center-stageu00a0 for one final time. Unlike the opening, wherein each member stayed strictly with their own contingent during the march-past, this time round all 6000 plus athletes were mixed together, proof of the camaraderie that would have formed having lived together in one village for nearly a fortnight.
India's four-gold hero, Gagan Narang was the flag-bearer, with gold medal-winning super shuttler Saina Nehwal trailing the marksman.
After a musical farewell to CWG mascot Shera, CWG OC Suresh Kalmadi was then once again embarrassed, just like in the opening ceremony. He was booed once again by a section of sports lovers who have obviously not forgiven him yet.u00a0
Over to Glasgow
CWG 2014 host city, Glasgow then took over and put on a dazzler with almost a thousand dancers sporting their traditional kilts (chequered skirts) and the musical pipes.
While concluding the show, CGF president Mike Fennell thanked Delhi for an 'excellent Games' and presented the David Dixon award for the outstanding athlete of the Games to Jamaican gold medal-winning triple jumper Trecia Smith.
Moments later, CWG New Delhi 2010 was officially closed by His Royal Highness Prince Edward on behalf of the Queen who, again just like the opening ceremony, preferred to play truant.
The capital's farewell to its biggest sporting event ever was finally drowned by a musical extravaganza presented by the likes of singers Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan, Sukhwinder, Usha Uthup, Ila Arun, Sunidhi Chauhan, etc.
It's goodbye Delhi, hello Glasgow!
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