Baton of the ‘Queen’s Baton Relay’ arrives here on Monday as part of its over 248 days travel in 70 Commonwealth nations and territories ahead of the opening ceremony of ‘Glasgow 2014 XX Commonwealth Games’ in Glasgow on July 23 next year.
The Queen’s Baton made its first stop in New Delhi, honouring the long-held tradition of beginning the relay to the next Commonwealth Games from the city which hosted the preceding edition of the quadrennial event.
The Baton was scheduled to leave Delhi for Dhaka on Monday morning. The Baton, which carries Queen Elizabeth II’s message to the Commonwealth, was brought to Delhi on Friday night and was taken to Agra on Saturday morning, where it was received by Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association officials at the Taj Mahal.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is a much loved tradition of the Commonwealth Games and symbolises the coming together of all Commonwealth Nations in preparation for the four-yearly festival of sport and culture.
British High Commission in Dhaka will celebrate the arrival of the Baton on Monday evening with High Commissioner Robert Gibson joining the event.
The Queen’s Baton Relay will conclude its journey at the Games Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2014.
The final baton bearer will proudly carry the baton on the final leg of its journey, before handing it back to The Queen who will read her message aloud and officially declare the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games open.
The vision of Glasgow 2014 is to stage a Queen’s Baton Relay which will engage, enthrall and create an innovative platform for promoting the Games in Glasgow, Scotland, and across the Commonwealth.
The Queen’s Baton Relay offers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase each nation and territory in the Commonwealth family.
The journey is a chance for Scotland and Glasgow to shine as economic, cultural and educational opportunities are created.
The Queen’s Baton Relay was launched on October 9 from Buckingham Palace, where Queen Elizabeth II placed her message to the Commonwealth into the baton.
The baton then departed from Glasgow for its epic journey, beginning in Asia, visiting India, the host nation of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Source: UNBConnect
