KARACHI, April 9: The 30th National Games opened at the People’s Stadium amid colour and pageantry on Monday in the backdrop of country’s declining standard among all Olympic sports as well as cricket.

Over three thousand athletes from across the country including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, assisted by a good number of technical officials, assembled together to show true sportsmanship.

Sindh Chief Minister Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim declared the games open besides taking salute from the participating teams at a ceremony which started exactly two hour 20 minute behind schedule.

The Chief Minister’s opening was heralded by 30 gun shots in the air in addition to release of balloons and pigeons. The school children both boys and girls, who took part in tableau, PT show and march past were the worst sufferers in scorching heat since they were there from morning.

Pakistan Army, holders of the prestigious Quaid-i-Azam trophy for an overall 22 times including 15 on trot, led the march past. They were followed by Pakistan Air Force, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Balochistan, HEC, NWFP, Fata, Islamabad, Pakistan Navy, Police, Punjab, Railways, Wapda and hosts Sindh.

International ping pong player, Asim Aziz, took oath on behalf of athletes while Zahid Sheikh took oath on behalf of technical officials.

Celebrated boxer Asghar Ali Shah ignited the torch as it entered the stadium after covering a journey in a torch relay from Quaid’s Mausoleum. It will be extinguished on April 14 when curtain falls on the games.

National Games reflect the overall standard of country’s sports. The performance of athletes during the next couple of days will be true indicator how seriously they have trained for the event.

It is yet to be seen how many athletes succeeds in setting new national records or come close to the Asian mark. Mare participation will not serve the purpose.