Around 150 New Zealand athletes and team officials are preparing to march in the Delhi Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.
Weve had a really positive response from athletes, said Dave Currie, Chef de Mission. Opening Ceremonies are always a highlight and our athletes are keen to be part of the team as they enter the stadium tonight.
Irene van Dyk will carry New Zealands flag ahead of the black and silver clad team into the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium at 1930h Delhi time tonight.
New Zealands first female Commonwealth Games wrestler, Sian Law, is excited about the evening ahead.
Theres a real hype about being here and being surrounded by so many positive athletes, she said. Everyones in the same frame of mind; you can feel it in the air.
It actually gives me goose bumps when I think about marching in and representing New Zealand.
For some athletes the ceremony will be enjoyed from the comfort of the Red Beach Grandstand at the team lounge. Hockey Women, Table Tennis, Swimming and Badminton all compete the next day and have to elected to stay behind. The cyclists have also decided to miss the march.
The athletes will be dressed in black with a white silk khata. A symbol of peace, friendship and respect for the host nation, the khatas are also closely associated with Sir Edmund Hillary. The khatas were gifted by the Hillary and Norgay families last night at a function to welcome the team to India.
Of course were wearing black, said Dave Currie. The 29028 theme will also feature in our uniform and well be marching with pride for New Zealand. Peter Hillary and Jamling Norgay will also march in the ceremony and represent their fathers who are the inspiration behind the team.
For the first time in Commonwealth Games history, athletes will march into the stadium and be seated in time to enjoy the celebrations. Traditionally, athletes have marched last.
Its about the athletes, said Currie. We pushed hard for a change in protocol and Im delighted to say we were successful.
For the first time, athletes will be able to enjoy the fantastic show ahead.
Logisitcs ahead of an Opening Ceremony are always a challenge and organizers have been working hard to coordinate around 4,000 athletes and support staff to leave the village and join bus convoys to the stadium around 20 minutes drive from the athletes village.
Itll go like clockwork, said Currie, with a wry smile. Well assemble downstairs at 4pm and head to the transport mall. Athlete departures are in waves of 20 buses.
The ceremony will begin at 1900h with athletes marching in shortly afterward. New Zealand will march at 1930h. The Queens Baton will arrive at the stadium at 20:26 hours after completing its 170,000kms journey across the Commonwealths 71 Nations and Territories. The Baton will be received by HRH The Prince of Wales who will read The Queens message, which ends with the opening of the Games.
The President of India will then deliver her address and signal the commencement of the Games.
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