Team PNG walks from Village to opening event

 THE opening ceremony of the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on Wednesday officially started the sporting event on a fine Scottish summer evening.

Team PNG walked with other teams in the Pacific Islands for 2km from the Games Village to the Celtic Park were the ceremony took place in front of 40,000-plus spectators and a possible television audience of one billion.

Led by flag-bearer Steven Kari, Team PNG athletes and officials walked into the stadium in their special walkout uniform.

Queen Elizabeth welcomed athletes and officials of the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth to Glasgow, which she said was a city rich in culture and sporting achievements.

She read her message from inside the Commonwealth baton which had travelled around nations and she wished the teams the best.  

She acknowledged young people in the Commonwealth, saying that half of the population in the association was under 25. 

The Queen thanked the thousands of volunteers who had given their time and effort in the organising the games.

Before the opening, the audience were entertained by performances by dancers and famous musicians, including Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle. The Games will run until August 3.