Bhubaneswar, July 3: The Pakistan team arrived amid tight security here Monday and were shooed from the media by the police personnel at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA). Waiting camerapersons both print and electronic could only catch a glimpse of the vehicle they were travelling in. Also arriving in the city late Monday night was Oriya athlete Purnima Hembram.
With only a day to go for the beginning of the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships, the Kalinga Stadium was abuzz with activity the entire day.
Due to a heavy shower in the morning athletes could not train. However, in the afternoon all the athletes hit the newly-laid practice grounds to make up for their losses.
All the Oriya athletes including the likes of Dutee Chand, Srabani Nanda, Amiya Mallick and Jauna Murmu went through the paces under the eyes of their respective coaches.
The Indian jumpers also took their time out to have some stretching practices with the help of their Poland physiotherapist Kinga. Hammer thrower Niraj Kumar was the most prominent among the throwers fine tuning his skills. Some Japanese and Chinese Taipei athletes were also seen sharpening their throwing skills.
In the main stadium last minute touches were being given for the gala inaugural event. Local Odishi dancers and other groups from Thailand, Delhi and the state went through their nimble-footed activities.
Preparations for the laser show amused the sparse young volunteers at the venue. Other logistical preparations were also given the final touches. The most prominent among them was three poles procured from China, which would automatically hoist the flags of the countries winning medals.
Sports minister Chandra Sarathi Behera visited the ground to inquire about the final touches in the preparation for the mega event.
Meanwhile teams from Kazakhstan, Yemen, Maldives, Bhutan, Philippines, Japan, Chinese Taipei and Saudi Arabia arrived Monday.
