Opening to dazzle

Fireworks, a thematic cultural show, the lighting of the torch and athlete march past are just some of the ways in which the opening ceremony of the 8th Bangladesh Games is set to pan out at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday.
The estimated Tk 8 crore gala opening ceremony will have two eye-catching sections of lighting the torch and a thematic cultural show that will include numerous aspects like rural life in Bangladesh, the liberation war, sporting effect on the society, the conquering of Mount Everest by Musha Ibrahim and the quest for the Seven Summits by Wasfia Nazreen.
Shankar Shahjalal will lead the thematic cultural show with the participation of 600 artists, music and laser lights.
The other dazzling section is set to be the lighting of the torch by noted former national hockey player Jummon Lusai. Lusai will light the torch by standing in the middle of the Bangabandhu National Stadium and aiming through a laser. Once the torch is lit, it will turn into a fountain of light with the help of the laser for a few minutes.
After the arrival of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, noted singer Rezwana Chowdhury Banna along with singers of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and 100 singers from Surer Dhara will perform the national anthem before 100 participating teams will start the march past and exit after taking oath.
“For the spectators, there will be some surprise as the march past of plus 100 participating teams will not follow the traditional way as we have incorporated some new ideas,” said Lt Col Kamrul Hasan, member secretary of Ceremony Committee, yesterday.