Bhubaneswar, Jan 15 (UNI): As part of its epic journey, the 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton commenced its journey in Odisha on Saturday.
Olympians Dutee Chand and Sunita Lakra carried the baton from Kalinga stadium to historic landmarks -Puri Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri Blue Flag Beach and thereafter to Konark Sun Temple where it was received by officials of the State Sports Department and the District Administration.
It later arrived at Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar where Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal received it from Shradhanjali Samanatray, the ace footballer from the State.
The Queen’s Baton then toured the temple city of Bhubaneswar before arriving at the Kalinga Stadium for the last-leg of the relay.
Sportspersons, Rakhal Sethy, Roshan Minz, Dileshwar Rao and coaches Rajesh Singh, Kalu Charan Choudhry, Lucela Ekka, Lipika Mohapatra, St. Victor Minz participated in Saturday’s relay.
The Queen’s Baton Relay culminated with Dutee Chand handing over the baton to Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports and Youth Services R.Vineel Krishna at the Kalinga Stadium, who received it in the presence of Bijay Nayak, Executive Chairperson, State Youth welfare Board, before handing it over to Indian Olympic Association, amidst an audience of sportspersons and officials of the state ecosystem.
In a video message, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Odisha. The Queen’s Baton Relay is one of the best traditions of the Commonwealth Games and it is an honour for Odisha to be a part of its epic journey.”
Odisha, the chief minister said, has produced many eminent sports persons, adding, “we are extremely delighted that today some of our finest sports persons participated in the relay and became a part of the history of Commonwealth Games”.
This relay will go on to encourage and inspire our young athletes to dream big and shine at the Commonwealth Games, Patnaik said and wished for the grand success of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
In a video message, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, Nick Low, said, “I was delighted when I heard that the 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay was coming to Odisha.”
Having recently been to Bhubaneswar for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, visited the magnificent Kalinga Sports Complex and met Odisha FC.
Odisha, he said, has international class facilities, highly talented athletes and administrators and, most important of all, a palpable passion for sport.
“I know Odisha will give the Queen’s Baton Relay the warmest of welcomes. Birmingham looks forward to giving the athletes and officials from Odisha and from across India an equally warm reception.”
The Queen’s Baton will depart Odisha for its next destination Singapore, was given a spectacular and befitting send off at the Kalinga Stadium amidst fireworks that lit up the night sky.
