No matter what you've felt about the Commonwealth Games before this day - trepidation or pride, nervous tension or indifference - come Sunday and goosebumps are assured, as jolly, bobbing heads of the Indian contingent comes into view on TV or inside the stadium, when the Delhi 2010 is declared open.
A group of hockey players - led by captain Rajpal Singh - have gone ahead and customised turbans to match with their maroon sherwanis, and India's women athletes will try putting their best foot forward in their red-and-green sarees, as the 619-strong home team brings up the rear of the parade at the ceremony starting 7pm. While Saina Nehwal - a baton bearer was ready to pull on her track-suit and simply pull her hair back tight, not fussed over her attire as she runs her lap of 80m, shooter Samresh Jung and wrestler Sushil Kumar who will hand the baton to Abhinav Bindra, were still figuring out which of their outfits to don first with some typical confusion clouding the sequence of events.
Pride on their sleeves remains a common dress code. And all athletes concur that years of preparation for some of them will culminate into performance and possible glory over the next 12 days. "It's important to be out there and show our full strength on the opening day. I'm excited," says Nehwal who is eager, in equal measure, to witness the glamorous show that India will put out as it welcomes 71 nations of he conglomeration.
A smattering of words from the Oath she took at the Commonwealth Youth Games two years ago and memories of being the flag-bearer at Pune come back to the badminton ace on the eve of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. "But this is bigger. It's the real deal," she adds.
Rajpal Singh prefers a more flamboyant preparation. "There are 4-5 members in the team who are Sikh and we'll wear turbans matching with sherwanis. For us, it's an important part of our attire. We asked some friends in Delhi to arrange for them. It will also make us look different in the contingent," promises the Indian hockey captain.
For Nehwal, who has often missed opening ceremonies till date since she invariably has early matches to play the next day, Delhi will be different. "I'm looking forward to it. And because it's happening in India, I want to be out there as part of the opening ceremony," Nehwal says, adding that she is especially curious about the cultural show and firecrackers which she is sure will be spectacular.
"My mother will be in the audience, and I know she'll be as excited as these are my first big Games where my parents will come watch me. The Games are different from other badminton tournaments, and the opening ceremony sets the tone. As a kid I was never someone who watched sports on TV. But after I started playing, I remember watching Sydney and Athens and realising just how big these Games are," she says.
For boxer Vijender Singh, some of his best memories of the Beijing Olympics - besides his bronze medal - are of carrying the national flag during the closing ceremony. "It still inspires me to give my best in each tournament which I take part in. Most of the time we are travelling and play abroad and it will be a special moment taking part in the opening ceremony. We are excited about wearing the traditional sherwani. I will try to go for a traditional look coupled with a different stole," he says.
One of the six Games ambassadors, MC Marykom, might not be part of the Games since women's boxing doesn't figure in them, but she is equally enthused about being a baton bearer."It's been a hectic past week but I wanted to be here at the opening ceremony though I'm not taking part in the Games. It will still motivate me for the upcoming Asian Games," she says. "I am not sure about the official kit but I will also try to give some local Manipuri touch to it like I did at the opening ceremony in the World Championships at Barbados."
The athletes are also relieved that the Games management has arranged for them to be seated rather than standing in the field during the long ceremony. "It's good because most of them have an event on the next day and wouldn't want to be exhausted," Marykom adds. While wrestler Sushil Kumar is unsure of the schedule and has left the day's plan to his coach's cue, shooter Jung says, "I'm a little confused about whether to carry the track-suit or the sherwani." As India throws open the red carpet to the Commonwealth, it's also time to welcome the home champions.
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