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Rousing reception accorded to QBR

A rousing reception was accorded to the Queen`s Baton Relay, one of the greatest traditions of the Commonwealth Games, when it was brought to the Maharaja`s College ground here for the rally.

Kochi: A rousing reception was accorded to the Queen`s Baton Relay, one of the greatest traditions of the
Commonwealth Games, when it was brought to the Maharaja`s College ground here for the rally. Despite intermittent rains, a large crowd of sports enthusiasts had assembled at the ground to have a glimpse of the baton, which was brought to Kochi from Union Territory of Lakshadweep, yesterday. Ernakulam District collector, Dr M Beena, handed over the baton to three olympians-footballer O Chandrasekhar, T C Yohannan and Shiny Wilson inside the ground. The trio then handed it over to the Kerala Sports Minister, M Vijayakumar, in track suit, and accompanied by Transport minister Jose Thettayil, it was taken round the ground. At about 9.15 AM the convoy carrying the baton left the ground for its first stop-over at Southern Naval Command at Willingdon Island. Kerala fisheries minister, S Sarma and Kochi Corporation Mayor, Prof Mercy Williams were among those present at the function. At the Naval base, the QBR was accorded a befitting reception led by Vice Admiral K N sushil, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command. International and national level sportspersons from the Indian Navy, Naval personnel in uniform and scores of students from Navy children school had lined up on either side of the road, cheering as the baton passed them. Earlier, as the baton relay reached the naval premises it was received by Bibu Mathew, Chief Petty Officer, a bronze medalist at the Asian Athletic championship in Triple Jump. After that the baton was then handed over as a relay, by several prominent sports personalities from the Navy, which included among others Shijas P Mohammed Master Chief Petty Officer, who was the Captain of the National volleyball team, L K J Singh, Petty Officer, bronze medalist in Kayaking in Asian championship and Naresh Yadav, Petty Officer, gold medalist in athletics at Asian Grand Prix. Former Lieutenant Commander K George, aged 70 years, a veteran navy athlete finally handed over the baton to Vice Admiral Sushil. The Admiral then handed over the baton to Shubhangi Swaroop, National champion in Taekwondo and a student of Navy Children School as well as Arjun Chaudhury, Kerala State team basketball player and a student of Kendriya Vidyalya. The Games baton was then handed over by these young athletes to the Relay team commander for its onward progress. The QBR will culminate this evening at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor stadium here. PTI