Asian Games torch winds its way through Sharjah

Sharjah: The Asian Games torch was handed over to the first relay runner in the country yesterday morning as paratroopers slowly landed from the skies streaming colours of the UAE flag.

A police band played in the background and a folk dance troupe swayed to the music as Obaid Al Qaseer held the torch aloft proudly.

"It is a great honour," he told Gulf News earlier. "My name was chosen by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah," said the former general secretary of the UAE Olympic Committee.

Al Qaseer held the torch high and walked 300 metres from the entrance of the Sharjah University City Hall, to the road leading to the various colleges.

Organisers said the shape of the torch has been inspired by the curves of the horns of the Arabian Oryx. The mascot of the Doha Games is Orry, the friendly Oryx.

The torch has travelled through 16 countries so far and will reach Doha on November 25, making it the longest relay in the history of the Asian Games.

As the procession wound its way through the University City, school children wearing pink and green uniforms waved the UAE and the Asian Games flag and cheered. Students from the various colleges performed a tableau of sports, including soccer, karate and weight lifting.

The torch got a huge welcome at the American University. President Winfred Thompson was the first American to hold the torch.

As the torch made its way to the Cultural Roundabout, there was a long tailback till the airport. The torch was first relayed here by three cyclists, then by three motorcycles and finally by four vintage cars.

A huge traffic jam occurred at the Cultural Roundabout with a long tailback right to the airport. Commuters had to spend more than 40 minutes on the bridge towards the roundabout but the 5,000 balloons released brought some cheer to the motorists.

The final run lead up to the closing ceremony at Qanat Al Qasba. As the torch arrived on stage and the main torch was lit, a spectacular fireworks show lit up the night sky.