India end CYG on a high

By Sundari Iyer

Pune

Oct. 18: In a fitting tribute to the champion Indian athletes, who put on a sterling show, the curtains came down on the III Commonwealth Youth Games in a blaze of glory. Having maintained a stranglehold on the event right from day one, India finished on top of the medals tally with 76 medals to seal their supremacy in the multi-discipline event.

Summing up the spirit of the games and embodying the exuberance of youth, Shaimak Davar’s troupe performed to a wonderful composition ‘We believe in one World, where friendship never dies’, leaving the audience asking for more. As the seven-day extravaganza came to an end, it was a bit melancholic.

For a nation that had won just ten medals in the previous edition at Bendigo four years ago, it was an awesome achievement by the Indian athletes to finish on top of the roster. The Indians ended up with 33 gold, 26 silver and 17 bronze with Australia following the leaders with 65 medals (24G, 19S, 22B). England took the third spot with 41 medals (18G, 9S, 14B).

It has been a stunning show by the Indian athletes and picking up 33 gold is no joke. In a refreshing development, the Indians showed they were inferior to none as they put behind the eighth-place finish four years ago. Having set the benchmark, the Indians will need to build on it and prove themselves in the years to come.

The Games were officially declared closed by the Commonwealth Committee chief Michael Fennel, who thanked the city of Pune for its reception. Prominent among the guests during the finale was the legendary pole vaulter, Sergey Bubka.

The inspiring presence of Bubka is sure to rub off on the athletes in the coming years.

True to tradition, the closing ceremony had a heady mix of Bollywood. Leading ladies Dia Mirza, Malaika Arora and Neha Dhupia added a touch of glamour to the proceedings. The mascot of the III CYG, Jigar, was given a fitting farewell by playback singer Kunal Ganajawala while Shaan enthralled the packed audience with songs which had its theme in friendship. Actress Shilpa Shetty then brought an end to the show with her act.

Following the entertainment, there was a dash of adventure with freestyle motorcyclists from America displaying their dare-devilry.

IOA supreme Suresh Kalmadi then revealed his ambitious plans of getting the 2020 Olympics to the country. He added that the government was supporting him in his endeavour.

Shera, official mascot of 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi was officially introduced during the closing ceremony. The youth have set the example, the seniors will have to follow in two years time.