Hyderabad: The 32nd National Games setting new standards in blitz and grandeur were declared open by President A P J Abdul Kalam amidst breathtaking hi-tech show encapsulating India's spirit of unity at the G M C Balayogi Main Athletics Stadium, Gachibowli, on December 13.

In his arousing inaugural speech, Kalam highlighted the importance of sports in one's life and called upon teachers, parents and society to encourage children to take to sports at a young age and bring laurels to the country.

A capacity crowd of 30,000 watched in rapt attention as the stadium was bathed in multi-coloured lighting.

The Games torch arrived at the main venue on schedule and was carried into the stadium by woman volleyball player Mulini Reddy while weightlifter of yesteryears Kamineni Eshwar Rao lit the sacred flame.

Three-time hockey Olympian Mukesh Kumar took the customary oath on behalf of over 7,000 participants promising to play in the true spirit of sports to uphold the honour of the country and the glory of the Games.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu emphasised the need for giving high priority to sports in the country. The sportspersons should be provided with the latest facilities and equipment to practice and enable them to compete at international levels, he said.

Naidu urged the Centre and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to bid for the next Olympics and promised that his government would provide all the help for conducting the mega event in the country. "India is competent to host Olympics," he said.

PTI