GUWAHATI, July 20 � Hundreds of sports lovers thronged the streets of Guwahati braving inclement weather to have a glimpse of the prestigious Queen�s Baton for the ensuing 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held at Delhi.
On the 25th day of its arrival in India, the Baton reached the RG Baruah Sports Complex around 2 pm where it was formally handed over to Rockybul Hussain, general secretary of Assam Olympic Association (AOA) by Alka Lambha, convener of the Queen�s Baton relay. The relay has already travelled 1, 90,000 kilometres covering 70 Commonwealth countries across the globe.
After the relay began from the RG Baruah Sports Complex, it headed towards Janata Bhawan where the baton was handed over to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who formally flagged of the relay.
The relay then proceeded towards Sankaradeva Kalakshetra where a function commemorating the occasion was organised.
The prominent baton bearers included Arjuna awardees of the likes of Bhogeswar Baruah and Monalisa Baruah Mehta, besides international players Tayabun Nisha, Jewel Bey and Toshen Bora besides a host of other noted personalities.
Bhubaneswar Kalita, who is also the vice-president of the Indian Olympic Association, also took part in the relay.
Noted personalities of the State, including Chief Secretary NK Das, Director General of Assam Police Shankar Barua, and veteran sports personalities like Pulin Das among others, took part in the Queen�s Baton relay.
Students from various schools displayed placards to welcome the baton to the State.
The relay, which reached Guwahati from Sikkim today, would now head towards Meghalaya.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion at the RG Baruah Sports Complex, Alka Lambha, said that the relay aimed at fostering sporting spirit in every citizen, especially the youths of the country. �We as a part of the relay are trying to spread message about our environment too. Besides, on August 15, we are organising a blood donation camp across the country with an aim to collect 60,000 units of blood, which again will be a world record,� she said.
Rockybul Hussain said that the relay would rejuvenate enthusiasm amongst the people of the State, which as a result would bring about a positive change in the mindset of the people.
