South Korea was gracious to open Asia’s Biggest Sporting Event in style with approximately over 13,000 participants representing 45 countries expected to be in action until 04th October.
Last night South Korean President Park Geun-hye declared the Games open with last time Host and sporting super power China fielding the largest contingent of over 500 and Brunei havig the smallest team of 13. The crowd extended an overwhelming and warm welcome to Team North Korea as politics took a back seat.Traditional rivalries amongst India/Pakistan,Iran/Iraq,North/South Koreas,China/Japan & Malaysia/Thailand will spice up the competition to grab medals with China expected to win the lions share.
Sri Lanka has Accredited 80 Athletes & 31 Officials to their team and they will participate in 09 Sports. Today men’s Hockey opens the competition for the Island Nation against formidable Pakistan. Former World Champions & Defending Champions are expected to give the Sri Lankan stickers a torrid time.
As expected Sri Lanka was totally outplayed from the opening whistle and conceded 04 Goals in the first quarter. By half time Pakistan had extended their lead in the third and to 09-00 , netting in 05 Goals in the second quarter. In the third quarter Pakistan added 03 more Goals to go 12 – nil up. Sri Lanka restricted the scoring to just 02 Goals in the fourth and last quarter as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 14 – Nil in the Pool B encounter. The two teams had met each other after 13 long years. Tomorrow Sri Lanka will meet India.
The first Gold Medal at the Games was won by China. That privilege was achieved by Chinese women’s pistol shooting team. The latest medal tally is
Sri Lanka will also be involved in Beach Volleyball with Pubudu Ekanayake and Asanka Kumara up against the duo from Indonesia in pool C while Wasantha Rathnapala partnered by Jude Perera will take on their opponents from Cambodia in a Pool B encounter.
The weather is fine. The countries is cool. The Games have begun.
Haritha Perera @ Main Press Centre in Incheon, South Korea
