The Opening Ceremony of the 16th Commonwealth Games The 16th Commonwealth Games kicked off with a grand

cultural show. For a spellbinding three hours, the capacity crowd at the 100,000-seater National Stadium in Bukit Jalil were entertained to a wide repertoire of songs and cultural performances. What a superb start to the Games, the first Commonwealth Games hosted by an Asian country and the last for the millennium. It was an opportunity that not only showcased the racial and cultural diversity of Malaysia but also the capability of the nation to hold a major sporting event. The newly built stadium turned into a sea of colour as thousands of dancers and singers dressed in resplendent costumes gathered to put up a superb show. The extravaganza was watched by the spectators gathered at the stadium and a global television audience of over 500 million people. The pre-show began at 5p.m. Riveting performances by popular singers like Sheila Majid and an eyecatching performance by parachutists helped to create a carnival-like atmosphere. The show itself began at 8p.m. with the arrival of dignitaries who included the King, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohammad and his wife, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president, Prince Edward, CGF Chairman Michael Fennel, cabinet ministers and other VIPs. Shortly after, the Negaraku was played. This was followed by the King inspecting the guard=of-honour mounted by the Royal Malay Regiment. Then came the contingents from the 70 participating countries of the Commonwealth which trooped out in alphabetical order. The first contingent was from Canada, by virtue of being the host of the previous Games. The 330-strong Malaysian contingent, which was the last to appear, was received by the spectators with rousing cheers and a standing ovation. Following a 10-minute cultural performance by 2000 students, all eyes turned to the gigantic electronic screen to watch the final leg of the Queens baton fun from Dataran Merdeka, Prince Edward, the CGF president, received the baton containing the queens message which was then read. This was followed immediately by the hoisting of the Commonwealth Games ceremonial flag and a colourful fireworks display. National bowler, Shalin Zulkifli, then led the oath taking ceremony. The grand finale of the opening ceremony was a cultural presentation and a fireworks display.

The Closing Ceremony of the 16th Commonwealth Games After 11 days of truly outstanding competition, the 16th Commonwealth Games, the second largest sporting event in the world after the Olympic Games, came to close in a glittering ceremony of pomp and colour. The two-hour ceremony was watched by over 100,000 spectators who packed the National Stadium at Bukit Jalil. The Ceremony was also televised live to an audience of over 500 million all over the world. The ceremony began with the arrival of their majesties, Queen Elizabeth II and the Yang diPertuan Agong Tunku Jaafar, in a black open-top limousine. This was followed by performance by brass band conducted by three drum majors. Then, after a 20-minute information blitz on the 17th Commonwealth Games, in which the audience were brought to Albert Square in Manchester, England, via satellite, the audience were entertained by songs and dances. The atmosphere at the stadium was tinged with sadness as over 6,000 athletes and officials from the 70 participating countries strolled in waving goodbye to the cheering spectators. The 18,000 volunteers followed behind joining the athletes and officials to form ceremonial flag was lowered by Royal Malaysian Navy personnel who then paraded the flag around the stadium before it was handed over to the Manchester representative. Immediately after the closing speeches, Queen Elizabeth II declared the Games officially closed amidst a dazzling display fo fireworks and a shower of confetti over the athletes and spectators. Then, as spectators joined athletes and officials in singing the Farewell song and Auld Land Syne, the curtains came down on the Commonwealth Games.

The Opening Ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Amidst a dazzling display of fireworks, sky tracker high-beam lights, laser lights and the beating of drums, Malaysia heralded the opening of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The RM9bil airport was opened on Saturday, June 27 1998, by the Yang diPertuan Agong Tuanku Jaafar. The festivities began with the arrival of the Prime minister at 8.40p.m. and the King and Queen shortly after. Their arrivals were accompanied by drum beats. The celebrations centred on the theme KLIA-Bringing the World to Malaysia and Malaysia to the World. This was followed by a prayer session and the speeches of Dr Mahathir and Transport Minister, Datuk Ling Long Sik. Present at the ceremony were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, cabinet ministers, VIPs and guests. In his opening speech, the Prime Minister said that the airport would act as a catalyst for development as it would spur tourism and economic growth. Immediately after speeches, two paragliders holding globes flew over the plaza. Then the audience watched a space boy carrying a globe glide down a cable wire from the top of the Main Terminal Building into the plaza. Upon his arrival, he was accompanied by 24 people, dressed in international costumes representing people from different continents. They, then walked towards a dais and place the globe on a platform, which was then raised. The 15-minute of performance symbolized international harmony. The King placed a replica of the air traffic control tower on the globe to mark the official opening. Just then, colourful fireworks lit the sky as the mesmerized crowds cheered in obvious jubilation. As hundreds of cameras clicked away, their flash lights appeared like thousands of dazzling jewels strewn carelessly about. The two and a half hours of festivities was beamed to television viewers across the country. The ceremony ended with a 10-minute musical fireworks displays.

Describe the National Day Celebration in your country The country celebrated its 41st National Day on 31st August 1998. Playing host to the celebrations for the first time was Penang. People from all walks of life turned up in full force to watch the National Day parade. The encouraging turn out, inspite of the dark rain clouds which had gathered towards the end of the celebrations and the dark clouds of economic gloom prevailing the country, clearly reflected the patriotism and unity of Malaysians. This years celebrations were centred on the Theme Our Country, Our Responsibility, which sent a clear message to the people that as the country braces itself with the current economic downturn, it is up to each Malaysian to do his part for the country. Tens of thousands of people lined up along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and neighbouring roads to get a closer look at the celebration. The whole place was transformed into a carnival site as people from all races and creed started converging at the University Sains Malaysias field in the early hours of the morning. The celebrations started with the arrival of the Prime Minister and his wife. They joined cabinet ministers and other VIPs at the main podium. With the arrival of their majesties, the Yang diPertuan Agong Tuanku Jaafar and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Najihah, the stage was set for the celebrations to begin. After the singing of the Negaraku and the inspection of the guard-of honour by the King, the whole field was changed into a sea of blue, green, red and yellow as more than 2,000 school children took to the field with a colourful display of field exercises and the formation of the National Day Logo. The highlight of the celebrations was the National Day Procession. Among the contingents which took part were from government departments, the police, Armed Forces, and private companies. They trooped out decked in colourful apparel. Amidst the hearty applause given to each passing contingent, the participants put their best foot forward in a true spirit of patriotism reflecting the nations confidence in tackling the current economic woes. The end of the parade was no less exciting as the tired but jubilant crowds spilled onto the roads, cheering and clapping, in appreciation of a superb show.