JAPAN (NAYOGA), Sept 19: The 20th Asian Games kicked off in Nagoya City of Japan on Saturday.
Host nation Japan showcased its technological and industrial prowess, as well as its cultural identity, during the opening ceremony of the mega event. The ceremony, held on Saturday at the Mizuho Athletics Stadium in Nagoya, appeared modest in scale; however, the organizers spared no effort in delivering a vibrant and colorful presentation.
Amidst the grand ceremony, Japan’s Emperor Naruhito officially inaugurated the Asian Games. The event lasted approximately two hours.
Emperor Naruhito officially declared the opening of the 20th Asian Games. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Empress Masako, Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, and International Olympic Committee (IOC) official Kirsty Coventry.
20th Asian Games open in Nagoya as Nepal joins 45 nations; Chan...
Performances showcasing diverse cultures further enhanced the appeal of the opening ceremony. Akari Fujinami handed the Olympic torch to various Olympic medalists from different sports. Finally, Koji Murofushi used the torch to light the cauldron. The core concept of the Asian Games was "Harmonic Heartbeat."
This marked the third time in its history that Japan hosted the Asian Games; the country previously hosted the event in Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.
The sight of a giant robotic arm waving a flag was a special highlight of the opening ceremony. The Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium, with a capacity of 30,000 spectators, was packed to overflowing.
Earlier, the Nepali team participated in the march past, following the contingent from Myanmar. After the opening declaration, Olympic gold medalists raised the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) flag, followed by the athletes and judges taking their respective oaths.
During the parade, boxer Chandra Thapa and kabaddi player Manmati Bista carried the Nepali flag. The contingent included boxing coach Deepak Maharjan; wushu players Rita Thakulla and Deepak Hamala; Chef de Mission and National Sports Council (NSC) Vice President Bishal Shrestha; Board Member Pawan Shahi; and NSC staff members. A total of 40 representatives from each country participated in the march past.
Over the next 15 days, approximately 11,000 athletes from 45 countries will compete in 43 sports. Competitions will be held across 71 disciplines, with a total of 469 gold medals up for grabs. The Asian Games will officially conclude on October 4. Matches in sports such as basketball, volleyball, football, and cricket are taking place prior to the opening ceremony. A total of 135 athletes from Nepal are competing across various disciplines in 21 sports.
