Thiruvananthapuram: Sachin Tendulkar was there to bring a capacity crowd on its feet and the cultural splendour was there for all to see as the 35th National Games were declared open here today with a colourful opening ceremony even as organisational chaos continued to take sheen off the event.
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The Greenfield Stadium on the outskirts of the city bathed in spectacular colours to welcome the athletes, quite a few of whom were, ironically, still not staying in the Games Village owing to the last-minute finishing touches.
"I am sure the Games will be a huge success," said Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in his address at the ceremony, the comment coming despite the clearly visible poor state of the state's preparations as the venues can still not be called fully ready for competition.
The chaos outside was, however, hardly noticed in the way the ceremony was conducted inside the stadium where the loudest round of applause and cheers went out for Games Goodwill Ambassador Tendulkar, who got up twice to acknowledge the adoring fans.
Flanked by Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy, Sonowal and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, Tendulkar sported a wide grin all through as he applauded the marching athletes from 30 states, five Union Territories and one Board.
"A big thanks from the sports fraternity of Kerala to Sachin Tendulkar," Chandy said in his address to a crowd which went delirious at the mere mention of the now-retired cricketing icon's name.
The ceremony itself was an ode to the cultural heritage of Kerala and featured performances from traditional percussionists to start with, followed by the teams' march past, during which hosts Kerala walked out with a jumdo contingent of over 300 athletes.
Inaugural speeches by chief Guest and Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, the state Chief Minister, Indian Olympic Association President N Ramachandran followed but the restless crowd showed enthusiasm to their rather long addresses only when a special word of thanks was conveyed to Tendulkar for being present.
"I congratulate Kerala for making the event a success," Naidu said in a passionately-delivered address. At the end of the speeches, spectacular fireworks lit up the evening sky before Arjuna awardees from Kerala took a lap of the stadium with the Games Torch before handing it over to Tendulkar. Tendulkar then passed it to two of Kerala's biggest stars -- sprint legend P T Usha and long-jumper Anju Bobby George -- who lit up the flame to mark the beginning of the 15-day extravaganza.
Another round of fireworks later, Malayalam superstar Mohan Lal took centrestage in a video performance, having the crowd on its feet with an electrifying song and dance routine which had an introduction in the voice of none other than Amitabh Bachchan.
However, the near-perfectly put show inside the stadium could barely conceal the organisational mess that the Games seem to be in. The allegations of widespread corruption aside, the organisers are struggling to put together the arrangements.
The Chief Minister today inaugurated the Main Press Centre here which did not have even the basic facilities in place for the media. The more than Rs 600 crore, which has been spent in preparing for the Games, can hardly be felt in the venues, which hardly look Games ready.
"But be assured everything will be in order from tomorrow. Remember how we were struggling during 2010 Commonwealth Games but we managed to do it, the National Games will also get along just fine," said an optimistic official.
Over the next 15 days, more than 10,000 athletes will vie for over 400 medals in the Games, which were originally scheduled for 2012.

Sachin Tendulkar was there to bring a capacity crowd on its feet and the cultural splendour was there for all to see as the 35th National Games were declared open here today with a colourful opening ceremony even as organisational chaos continued to take sheen off the event

Sachin Tendulkar stars as chaotic National Games kick off

Sardar Singh suspended for one game

Sachin Tendulkar was there to bring a capacity crowd on its feet and the cultural splendour was there for all to see as the 35th National Games were declared open here today with a colourful opening ceremony even as organisational chaos continued to take sheen off the event

Sachin Tendulkar stars as chaotic National Games kick off

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Sachin Tendulkar stars as chaotic National Games kick off

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