The much loved symbol of the Commonwealth Games the Queen’s Baton Relay was on show at the capital yesterday.
The glittering baton arrived at 3:30pm from India and the team that carried it comprised of Louise Martin, the Commonwealth Games Federation honorary secretary, Louis Rosa and Rebecca Hill. Minister for civil aviation and tourism Col. (Rtd) M. Faruk Khan received the baton at the airport. Bangladesh Olympic Association secretary general Syed Shahed Reza was also present on the occasion.
Later, the baton moved to Aftab Nagar from the airport to spread the message of the Commonwealth Games spirit and was taken to the British High Commission where High Commissioner Robert Gibson joined the festivities. “It is a wonderful moment and I feel the spirit of Commonwealth Games here. I hope the next edition of Commonwealth Games would enthrall the sports world as it has doing over the years,” said Gibson.
All the lights also focused upon Louise Martin, who has a long and ongoing association with the Games as an athlete, team manager and administrator. Her leadership role in bringing the Games to Glasgow in 2014 was a critical one. In 2003, Louise was awarded the CBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to the Commonwealth Games. “It was wonderful, what a reception it was, it was awesome, I was surprised to feel the enthusiasm, a lot of excitement was also there. It feels great to be in Bangladesh with the Queens Baton,” said Martin.
She was also looking forward to host a successful edition of the game. “Over the years the Commonwealth Games has grown bigger and bigger. It has now become the showcase event of young sports persons - a lot of young people eagerly waits for Commonwealth Games to show their talents and I firmly believe that Glasgow 2014 will be a special one. Last time it was in India and this time it is in Scotland, that’s the way the CG goes. It links the culture and heritage of the Commonwealth family,” she said.
There will be no official engagement of the baton but the tour party is likely to visit the national mausoleum Savar and the Heritage Park. The Baton will fly to Pakistan tomorrow.