The 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relays in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, 15 January 2022:  As a part of its epic journey, the 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton commenced its journey in Odisha, from Kalinga Stadium with Olympians, Dutee Chand and Sunita Lakra carrying the baton and formally, kicking off the relay to historic landmarks – Puri Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri Blue Flag Beach and thereafter to Konark Sun Temple the place it was obtained by officers of the State Sports Department and the District Administration.
It later arrived at Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar the place it was obtained by His Excellency, Governor of Odisha, Ganeshi Lal from Shradhanjali Samanatray, the ace footballer from the State. The Queen’s Baton then toured the temple metropolis of Bhubaneswar earlier than arriving on the Kalinga Stadium for the last-leg of the relay.
Sportspersons, Rakhal Sethy, Roshan Minz, Dileshwar Rao and coaches Rajesh Singh, Kalu Charan Choudhry, Lucela Ekka, Lipika Mohapatra, St. Victor Minz participated in as we speak’s relay.
The Queen’s Baton Relay culminated with Dutee Chand handing over the baton to Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports and Youth Services, Govt of Odisha, R.Vineel Krishna, on the Kalinga Stadium, who obtained it with honours, within the presence of Bijay Nayak, Executive Chairperson, State Youth welfare Board, earlier than handing it over to Indian Olympic Association, amidst an viewers of sportspersons and officers of the state ecosystem.

In a video message, Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, shared, “It offers me immense pleasure to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Odisha. The Queen’s Baton Relay is likely one of the finest traditions of the Commonwealth Games and it’s an honour for Odisha to be part of its epic journey. Odisha has produced many eminent sportspersons and we’re extraordinarily delighted that as we speak a few of our most interesting sports activities individuals participated within the relay and have become part of the historical past of Commonwealth Games.
In Odisha, we imagine within the energy of Sports and Youth. Today, our state has among the most interesting sports activities infrastructure and an ever-evolving sports activities ecosystem that conjures up athletes to observe their objectives passionately. This relay will go on to encourage and encourage our younger athletes to dream huge and shine on the Commonwealth Games. I want grand success of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, he added.
Thanking the Chief Minister, in a video message, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, Nick Low, stated, “I was delighted when I heard that the 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay was coming to Odisha.  Having recently been to Bhubaneswar for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, visited the magnificent Kalinga Sports Complex and met Odisha FC. Let no one be in any doubt that Odisha has international class facilities, highly talented athletes and administrators and, most important of all, a palpable passion for sport.  I know Odisha will give the Queen’s Baton Relay the warmest of welcomes.  Birmingham looks forward to giving the athletes and officials from Odisha and from across India an equally warm reception.”

The Queen’s Baton that may depart Odisha for its subsequent vacation spot, Singapore, was given a spectacular and befitting ship off on the Kalinga Stadium amidst fireworks that lit up the night time sky.
About the relay
The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Commonwealth Games custom that builds anticipation for the forthcoming Games by celebrating, connecting, and thrilling communities throughout the Commonwealth and shining a lightweight on untold tales and unsung native heroes from the locations it visits.  Lining the size of its curved form and woven all through the Baton is a platinum strand, a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in her Platinum Jubilee which marks seventy years as Head of the Commonwealth.  This is the sixteenth official Queen’s Baton Relay, an epic journey throughout the Commonwealth visiting all 72 nations and territories, reaching Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Americas.  The route spans 269 days, spending between two and 4 days in every nation or territory (together with a valuable night time in Odisha!), protecting 90,000 miles (1.4 lakh kilometres) with over 7,500 bearers carrying the Baton of their neighborhood.

Also learn: Odisha: 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton arrives in Bhubaneswar