With the theme of "Harmonious Host City, Joyful Indoor Games", the second Asian Indoor Games was officially opened in Macao on Friday night.

 

Edmund Ho Har Wah, Chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region of China, declared open the games at the opening ceremony.

 

A total of 3,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions are set to take part in the second version of the Games which will run from October 26 to November 3 in Macao.

 

"Our Asia is a diverse continent where the sun never sets," said Manuel Silverio, chairman of the 2007 Macao Asian Indoor Games Organizing Committee (MAIGOC), on the ceremony.

 

"But for all the great distances and differences between us, Asia finds a common language, and that language is sports."

 

"For participants and spectators alike, athletic competition in the true amateur spirit displays what is best in all of us, allowing us to see beyond our differences and enjoy our shared humanity in the spirit of solidarity and friendship," said Manuel.

 

The second Asian Games feature most of the non-Olympic sports including five-person soccer, e-sports, Kabaddi, Bowling etc.

 

The three-hour-long opening ceremony was visually striking with brilliant multi-media methods, fireworks and dazzling ideas.

 

Sun Wukong, Monkey King, are illustrating on the stage the vivid image of the Asian Games as a symbol of vigor, wisdom and courage, and mascot Mei Mei is there leading the audience to the journey of the joyful sports events.

 

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge and Director of the General Administration of Sport of China Liu Peng attended the opening ceremony.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2007)