QUEENSLAND: An 89-member Pakistani contingent arrived here at the Games village to participate in the 10 disciplines of the XXI Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, which is going to open on Wednesday.
Children wearing colourful costumes, officials, a large number of volunteers and above all the Pakistanis based in Australia have given a lively reception to Pakistani athletes. The 89-member contingent is taking part in athletics, badminton, boxing, hockey, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.
Pakistan will have to face India on Saturday, next, with many of the field hockey lovers inquiring about the most awaited clash. The Gold Coast, a city famous for is beauty and from children to old men above all enthusiastically responded with their shooting and cheering.
More than 6,600 athletes and team officials from 71 countries and territories would compete in 18 sports and seven Para-Sports during 11 days of the competition which will be broadcasted to a global audience of 1.5 billion.
They will be supported by 15,000 friendly Australian volunteers. Two Pakistani student ambassadors have also travelled to the games including a girl and a boy – who will represent Pakistan at a cultural programme alongside students drawn from all over the Commonwealth. Australia has a strong record of supporting sports development in Pakistan.
Australia has always given a helping hand for the promotion of sports activities in Pakistan and local people, as well as, people from across the world are awaiting the grand opening ceremony.
The GC2018 opening ceremony will be organised on Wednesday at 6.30 (Australia time), GMT 12.30 pm in Pakistan and will continue up till April 15, on the Gold Coast in the Australian state of Queensland. These will be the fifth Commonwealth Games held in Australia and the first games offering an equal number of medal events for men and women.
Spanning across more than 57 kilometres on a picturesque coastline bordered by a world-heritage listed rainforest, the Gold Coast is Australia’s premier tourist destination – renowned for its surf, sand and sunshine.
