Bhubaneswar, India, January 16, 2022: The Queen’s Baton has toured the temple city of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, on its final leg in India on Saturday, January 15.
As part of its epic journey, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games symbol commenced its final lap of a four-day relay in India from Kalinga Stadium with Olympians Dutee Chand and Sunita Lakra carrying the Baton.
The relay stopped over at historic landmarks Puri Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri Blue Flag Beach and Konark Sun Temple where it was received by officials of the State Sports Department and District Administration.
It later arrived at Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor of Odisha, where it was received by HE Ganeshi Lal, Governor of Odisha, from Shradhanjali Samantray, star footballer from the State. A number of athletes and coaches participated in the relay.
The ceremonies ended with athlete Dutee Chand handing over the Baton to the Secretary, Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, Vineel Krishna, who then handed it over to officials from the Indian Olympic Association.
In a video message, the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, said: “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Odisha. The Queen’s Baton Relay is one of the best traditions of the Commonwealth Games and it is an honour for Odisha to be part of the journey. Odisha has produced many eminent sportspersons and we are extremely delighted that today some of our finest athletes participated in the relay and became a part of the history of the Commonwealth Games.”
Thanking the Chief Minister, in a video message, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, Nick Low said: “I was delighted when I heard the 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay was coming to Odisha. Having recently been for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup and visited the magnificent Kalinga Sports Complex and met Odisha FC, let no one be in any doubt that Odisha has international-class facilities, highly talented athletes and administrators and, most important of all, a palpable passion for sport. Birmingham looks forward to giving the athletes and officials from Odisha and from across India an equally warm welcome.”
The Baton’s next leg on its Asian swing is Singapore.
