Colourful: President Obasanjo opens 8th All Africa Games with pomp
Nigeria responded to its critics in style, by presenting the most spectacular All Africa Games opening ceremony ever on Saturday
Louis Jadwong at the all Africa Games
Nigeria responded to its critics in style, by presenting the most spectacular All Africa Games opening ceremony ever on Saturday.
The games organising committee pulled a gold medal from the jaws of chaos here as the 8th All Africa Games started in style in the sleepy capital of Abuja.
Nigeria will always surprise, and they did again on Saturday night as everyone for once forgot all the logistical problems that have hit the games to admire the four hour show at the 60,000 capacity stadium.
The opening ceremony told the story of Africa’s birth, rites of passages, death of the soul and rebirth from the early days, through colonial times to today.
It was a multi-genre theatrical involving Nigeria dance, drama and mythic figures.
Life, the colourful display showed, started from the anthill, from which the egg and life emerge from.
President Olusegun Obasanjo opened the games with a challenge to Nigerians to show the rest of the continent the potential they have.
Uganda, one of the 53 countries that matched in the night in front of Obasanjo and Olympic Committee boss Jacques Rogge this time wore beautiful Kikoyi half gomesi and Kikoyi shirts. Financial hardships in Kampala forced the team to abandon their kanzu and gomesi. Javelin thrower Annet Kabasindi carried Uganda’s flag.
Uganda will compete in boxing, athletics, weightlifting, softball and baseball.
The baseball and softball team missed the opening ceremony as they arrived late on Saturday and where up to last night yet to be accredited.
Nigeria responded to its critics in style, by presenting the most spectacular All Africa Games opening ceremony ever on Saturday.
The games organising committee pulled a gold medal from the jaws of chaos here as the 8th All Africa Games started in style in the sleepy capital of Abuja.
Nigeria will always surprise, and they did again on Saturday night as everyone for once forgot all the logistical problems that have hit the games to admire the four hour show at the 60,000 capacity stadium.
The opening ceremony told the story of Africa’s birth, rites of passages, death of the soul and rebirth from the early days, through colonial times to today.
It was a multi-genre theatrical involving Nigeria dance, drama and mythic figures.
Life, the colourful display showed, started from the anthill, from which the egg and life emerge from.
President Olusegun Obasanjo opened the games with a challenge to Nigerians to show the rest of the continent the potential they have.
Uganda, one of the 53 countries that matched in the night in front of Obasanjo and Olympic Committee boss Jacques Rogge this time wore beautiful Kikoyi half gomesi and Kikoyi shirts. Financial hardships in Kampala forced the team to abandon their kanzu and gomesi. Javelin thrower Annet Kabasindi carried Uganda’s flag.
Uganda will compete in boxing, athletics, weightlifting, softball and baseball.
The baseball and softball team missed the opening ceremony as they arrived late on Saturday and where up to last night yet to be accredited.