King Charles III formally declared the 2026 Commonwealth Games open in Glasgow on Thursday as a colourful opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro marked the return of the multi-sport event to the Scottish city for the first time since 2014.
Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain led the Indian contingent during the Parade of Nations, with Mirabai carrying the Tricolour and Lovlina carrying the ceremonial Commonwealth baton. The pair, both medallists at the Tokyo Olympics, drew loud cheers as the Indian contingent entered the arena.
The ceremony celebrated Scotland’s cultural heritage through music, dance and storytelling, with performances by Scottish artistes KT Tunstall, Nathan Evans and Saint PHNX, before King Charles III officially declared the Games open in keeping with Commonwealth tradition.
India has fielded a 123-member contingent for the Games, with athletes set to compete across 13 disciplines, including para sports, despite the 2026 edition being significantly smaller than previous Commonwealth Games. The contingent includes several Olympic and world medallists as India looks to retain its position among the leading sporting nations in the Commonwealth.
India’s campaign had already got underway before the opening ceremony, with the lawn bowls team becoming the first Indian athletes to compete earlier on Thursday. The team will be hoping to recreate its memorable success from the Birmingham 2022 Games, where India won a historic gold medal in the women’s fours event.
The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games features athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories competing across 10 sports at venues including the Scottish Event Campus, Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre and the Glasgow Arena. Although the programme has been reduced compared to previous editions, organisers have said the Games will continue to showcase elite competition across all disciplines.
For India, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra headlines the athletics campaign, while Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain are among the country’s strongest medal contenders in weightlifting and boxing respectively. India will also look towards a formidable boxing squad and several experienced athletes across disciplines as it aims to add to its rich Commonwealth Games medal haul.
With the opening ceremony complete and the cauldron lit, attention now turns to competition as athletes begin their pursuit of medals over the next 11 days in Glasgow.
(IANS)
