Glasgow, July 22: Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar is set to play a “special” part in tomorrow’s opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games, which will herald the beginning of what promises to be a star-studded event.
Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket after a glorious career spanning 24 years, will make his presence felt during the ceremony in his capacity as the Global Goodwill Ambassador of the UNICEF, which has partnered with the Glasgow CWG organisers and Commonwealth Games Federation in a first-of-its-kind initiative to spread awareness about the childrens’ problems facing all over the world.
But how Tendulkar will be part of the ceremony, to be graced by Commonwealth Head Queen Elizabeth II, British Prime Minister David Cameron and his cabinet colleagues, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond and his colleagues in the government and other dignitaries from Commonwealth nations, is not known as the organisers are tightlipped about the details.
“There will be something special from Tendulkar, wait and watch tomorrow,” Lord David Puttnam, UNICEF UK Ambassador, told PTI today after a programme on the partnership.
“Tendulkar is a Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and he is happily involved with the work of the organisation (UNICEF),” said Puttnam without answering whether Tendulkar will be present in person tomorrow.
The media in the UK had earlier reported that a UNICEF campaign will be featured on the night showing special films recorded by the likes of Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Alex Ferguson and Tendulkar, aimed at raising funds for projects being run across Commonwealth countries.
The Opening Ceremony will also feature a near 100 metre wide and 11m high LED screen erected in front of the South Stand at Celtic Park to broadcast images of the night. In 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games the aerostat which cost crores of rupees was the showpiece during the opening and closing ceremonies.
The turf of the home of Scotland’s famous football club Celtic has been completely covered by wooden flooring while the scoreboard, set to make way for the giant LED screen, will reduce the capacity of the ground to 35,000. (PTI)
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