15th Asian Games PART 1- Doha 2006

[Qatar Son 333]

Mashad -> Esfahan, Iran - Wed 8 Nov

Flame visits cultural capital of Islamic World

Day 32 of the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay and the Doha 2006 Flame left the Holy City of Mashad, IR Iran, for the 2006 Cultural Capital of the Islamic world, the ancient Iranian city of Esfahan.

A bright and clear, sunny day greeted the Flame Plane as it touched down at Esfahan Shahid Beheshti International Airport at 08:30 this morning, 8 November.

HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay ambassador, was welcomed by five girls and boys dressed in brightly coloured traditional outfits as he walked down the steps from the aircraft.

There on the tarmac to greet Sheikh Joaan were dignitaries from the province of Esfahan, Governor, Dr. Mourteza Saghaian Nejad; Mayor, Dr. Sayaid Morteza Saghaiannejari; together with the Secretary General of Physical Education, Mr. Behrouz Momtakhabi and representatives from the Iranian Olympic Committee; President Dr Reza Gharakhanlou and Secretary General Mr. Ali Kafashian.

Leaving the airport, the Torch Relay started it’s day with a reading from the Koran at Monar-e-Jonban, the Shaking Minarets.

First Torchbearer, the city Mayor, Mr. Bakhtiari, stood under the famous minarets which both shake in harmony if one is vibrated by someone inside. Once the shaking began, the Relay was off on its six hour, 40km route through the city.

Mr Bakhtiari ran across a small footpath then exchanged the Flame with Mr. Momtakhabi. The Relay continued on along the Atashgah Boulevard before crossing the 186m Marnan Bridge, built in 1636CE by the Armenian administrator, Khaje Sarfaraz.

After a loop up to Sofeh Park, taking in the beautiful Armenian Vank Church, the Torch Route hugged the banks of the Ziyande River:

Three more bridges were crossed, the Khagou Bridge, built during the Safavid Dynasty; the Sharestan Bridge, the oldest bridge in Esfahan and the Siospol Bridge, a unique construction with 33 spectacular arches.

Some of the alternative modes of transport used in the Esfahan leg of the Relay included grass skiers, a first for the 2006 Relay, kayaks on the Ziyande River – the kayaks escorting the Flame showing their commitment to the day by capsizing to show the Torch Relay logo emblazoned on their bottoms – and a horse and carriage along Charbagh Street.

As dusk fell on the city, the Flame arrived on horseback at the UNESCO World Heritage Site and second largest city square in the world, the Naghsh-I Jahan Square.

Overlooked by the breathtaking Shah and Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosques on the southern and eastern sides of the square, the Flame was handed to Ahmad Reza Kiani and Ali Malekpour who were joined by taekwondo world champion and Athens 2004 gold medallist, Hadi Saee.

Saee, Malekpour and Kiani walked along 76 metres of beautiful, hand-woven Persian carpet to the Torch Relay celebration site. Together they ignited the cauldron which initiated the performance of a traditional Iranian song sung in three languages; Arabic, English and Farsi, and a performance from a twirling dance troupe.

Tomorrow, the Flame travels to its last stop in IR Iran, the capital city Tehran, host to the 1974 Asian Games.

the video : http://www.doha-2006.com/gis/menuroo...eos.aspx?id=87

[yusef]

Qatari's must be very excited about the games....wish I was there.

[Qatar Son 333]

Athletes’ Village first guests
Sunday, 12 November, 2006

Athletes' Village staff arrive for work on opening day, ready to welcome IR Iran, the first delegationThe brand new Athletes’ Village became fully operational on Friday 10 November as its first guests arrived to take up their residency.

Officials from IR Iran, including its Chef de Mission Mr Sayed Nasrollah Sejadi, along with colleagues Mr Mohammed Azizi and Ms Atefeh Eslamian, were greeted by the Village Protocol and Welcome Committee before being allocated their accommodation.

Initial task of the IR Iran National Olympic Committee (NOC) members is to make sure all preparations regarding accommodation, transportation, health services, catering and training are in place before the arrival of the Iranian team.

A further 44 participating NOCs are on their way to take up residency at the Athletes’ Village and the IR Iran group was due to be joined on Saturday 11 November by NOC delegations from Thailand and Bahrain, while a two-man team from Kazakhstan is set to arrive today, 12 November.

Hosts Qatar will send a four-man delegation led by Chef de Mission Ahmad Al Mawlawi; they are scheduled to arrive in the Village tomorrow.

The Athletes’ Village comprises 32 residential buildings with a total of 811 apartments for athletes. A further 45 apartments are available for Chefs de Mission and officials as well as an NOC office for each participating country and region.

Each of the athlete’s apartments can house up to 13 people and consists of five bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as a communal living room with television and telephone access.

[Qatar Son 333]

Salalah -> Muscat, Oman - Sun 12 Nov
Smile please
Today, 12 November, a rest day for the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay, the Doha 2006 Flame was taken to Taqah Castle.

The castle, a prominent feature of the picturesque fishing village of Taqah in the Dhofar region of Oman, was the backdrop for a series of breathtaking photographs.

Famed for its pottery, silverwork and other artisan industries, Taqah Castle has a distinct style to its architecture. The castle's numerous shuttered windows are particularly unusual, with latticed wooden screens and keyhole-shaped arches.

Taqah Castle, which dates back over 100 years, was once the home to the grandmother of the Sultan of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

Outside the castle, a Qatari clad in warrior costume and holding the Doha 2006 Torch was carried shoulder high in a Sambuk, a small fishing vessel, which was carried into the grounds of the Fort followed by hordes of cheering youngsters.

The Torch Warrior disappeared into the depths of the edifice and moments later re-appeared in one of the turrets, holding aloft the Flame to the delight of the crowd.

Later in the afternoon, the Doha 2006 Flame left Salalah for Muscat, the capital city of the Sultanate of Oman, next stop on its 50,000km journey around Asia.

After touching down at Muscat’s Seeb International Airport, HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay Ambassador, was greeted by Rashad bin Ahmed Al Hinai, the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; HE Eng. Habib Macki, Deputy Chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee, and other dignitaries.

Tomorrow, day 37 of the Relay, the Flame will resume the Relay and pass well known local landmarks in Muscat such as Al Bastan Palace Hotel, The Corniche and several historic forts nestled in the rocky landscape which is such a feature of the countryside.

[Qatar Son 333]

19 days to go and 3 days for ______________dead line______________ means just 3 more days for aspire zone ,aspire tower, road improvments, etc !!!!!!

[Qatar Son 333]

...

[Qatar Son 333]

1 day to dead line !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Qatar Son 333]

A day by the sea
Day 37 of the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay began with some very enjoyable sailing in the Gulf of Oman along the Baraljissah Coast. The Flame was carried in convoy with three wooden dhows, the traditional fishing and cargo boats of the Gulf region.

Constructed in one of Oman’s oldest ship building yards in the north eastern Omani town of Sur, dhows are a symbol of Oman’s seafaring tradition. This tradition was at its peak in the 1800s, when the boats were used to ship spices from Zanzibar off the African coast to Oman. Today the boats are still used for fishing – and for pleasure trips.

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay Ambassador, proudly held the Doha 2006 Flame and led the flotilla of boats along the beautiful Muscat coastline, taking in sites such as the luxury Al Bustan Palace hotel, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resorts & Spa and the Sultan Qaboos Port.

Joining HE Sheikh Joaan for the ride were HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said; HH Sayyid Hareb bin Thuwaini Al Said; Rashad Al Hinai, the Ministry’s Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs; Habib bin Abdulnabi Macki, Deputy President of the Omani Olympic Committee and Sheikh Soud Hamed Alim Al-Rawahi, President of the Oman Athletics Association.

Traditional sea dancers from the area of Quriyat performed a ceremonial dance to the beat of a Rajha drum and the sound of the gurbah, an instrument similar to bagpipes. The saif, a traditional sword, was much in evidence during the dance routine.

As the convoy returned to shore, two huge water cannons sprayed a wall of water to welcome HE Sheikh Joaan and the Flame back to land.

With the voyage over, the Torch Relay began as the sun was setting. First was a celebration featuring traditional Omani dancing, then a rousing rendition from the Royal Oman Police Band, a motorcycle stunt show by the Royal Guard of Oman and an impressive display by camel and horse riders performing tricks. The large crowd which packed the 45,000-seater Qaboos Stadium was suitably, and noisily, appreciative.

Sayyid Al Mutassim bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, the Minister of State and Governor of Muscat, lit the cauldron in the stadium, home to the Omani National Football Team, to start the Flame on its 12km journey through the streets of this historic city.

The Relay began with the Flame doing a lap of the stadium carried in a horse and carriage, before handing on to the first Doha 2006 Torchbearer, athlete and Sydney 2000 Olympian, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Hooti.

Mohammed was joined along the route by 38 Omani athletes and representatives from the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, including female wheelchair athlete, Rahma Marhoon Al Hasni and national rally driver Hamad bin Said Al Wahaibi.

As each Torchbearer finished their leg, in a show of solidarity and friendship, they continued running behind the Flame is it journeyed through the city’s streets for one and a half hours. For the finish stretch to Muscat’s Seeb International Airport the Flame was carried by cyclist Yousef Khanfar Al Shukaili.

Tomorrow, 14 November, the Flame travels to Sohar in the Al Batinah Region of the Sultanate of Oman, reputed to be the birthplace of Sindbad the Sailor.

[Qatar Son 333]

Sohar, Oman - Tue 14 Nov
All according to plan
Sohar in the Al Batinah Region of the Sultanate of Oman, 240km northwest of Muscat, was the venue for the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay for day 38, 14 November.

Sohar’s city, once the capital of Oman, is dominated by its castle, built between the 13th and 14th centuries by the Emirs of Hormuz. The castle saw considerable action during the active years of its life and features an escape tunnel which runs from inside the fort to the wilayat of Buraimi, 10km to the west. The tunnel was used as a route to obtain reinforcements and supplies during sieges – and probably to escape when things weren’t going to plan.

But for the Flame, everything planned for today went according to schedule.

HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay Ambassador, received a warm welcome on arrival in the picturesque grounds of the Castle. He was greeted by Rashad bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Hinai, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Sports Affairs.

Following a performance from Taste of Oman, a cultural entertainment troupe which included traditional sword dancing in it’s entertaining repertoire, the 15th Asian Games Torch was lit from the Flame carried to Soha in its safety lantern. The Torch was handed to the Mayor of Sohar who in turn passed it a 15th Asian Games Torchbearer mounted on a spirited horse.

In a clatter of hooves the Torch exited the grounds of the Castle and was borne along the Corniche in a procession of 10 Torchbearers on horseback and camels.

Local children waving Omani flags turned out in force to cheer the Flame on its 3km route along the coastline of this fishing town.

Eighteen Torchbearers carried the Flame through the streets of the city to a fisherman’s monument, where the last runner, Bashir Al Heeshy Al Harassy, paused with his fellow Torchbearers for a golden photographic opportunity.

Transport from country to country for the Torch Relay has so far been by special aeroplane, but this time the Flame kept its feet firmly on the ground. It departed the Sultanate of Oman by land, crossing the border into the United Arab Emirates.

At the border crossing, 20 traditional dancers with swords were there to receive HE Sheikh Joaan and the Flame. An emotional farewell to Oman was made.

The Flame had received an affectionate welcome in each of the three Omani cities it visited, but next in line is a five day visit to the UAE, one more of the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

Tomorrow, day 39 of the Relay, the Flame will journey through the streets of Hatta in the in the Hajar Mountains of the Emirates before visiting Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi before it leaves for Kuwait on 19 November.

[Qatar Son 333]

_____________________deadline everybody_______________________

[Qatar Son 333]

Hatta, Oman -> UAE - Wed 15 Nov
Raised to the Hatta heights
Day 39 of the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay, 15 November, began among the rocky landscape of the Hatta Mountains close to the Oman border.

HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Marktoum, son of the Ruler of Dubai, greeted HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the 15th Asian Games Torch Relay Ambassador, before the Relay and together they lit the 15th Asian Games Torch.

HE Sheikh Hamad paused for photographs with HE Sheikh Joaan before passing the Flame to Doha 2006 Torchbearer, Mohammed Said Al Khabbi, dressed in traditional dish dash and riding a camel. Al Khabbi started the Relay on its 3km route up to Hatta Heritage village followed by three other camels.

The Relay was escorted by 20 Dubai State Police troopers on horseback, each holding aloft the UAE flag.

Hatta Heritage Village is situated 105km southeast of Dubai, in the heart of the rugged Hatta Mountains and provides the visitor with a fascinating glimpse into the UAE’s past. The history of the village can be traced back almost 3,000 years.

Halfway along the route, outside the Ministry of the Interior, school children from Rashid and Hatta Schools wearing bright red and green t-shirts, the colours of the UAE flag, clapped and cheered as the Flame went past. Children in traditional dress carried a giant UAE flag above their shoulders; following the Flame as it went up the windy road to Hatta Cultural Village, the children sang the UAE national anthem at the top of their voices.

As the Flame approached the village, lit by the setting sun over the dramatic mountains, the Relay was greeted by traditional musicians playing bagpipes and drums

As the Flame reached the entrance of the heritage village children flanked the entrance and beat sticks on the ground in rhythm.

Then the Flame was handed over to five school children who, dressed in bright red and green outfits, walked with the Flame to the stage where they were greeted by dancers performing the Aalila dance.

The children handed the Torch to HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid who jointly held the Flame high in the air with HE Sheikh Joaan in a salute to a successful first Relay day in the Emirates.

Tomorrow the Flame travels to Sharjah for the second day of its adventures in the UAE.

[Qatar Son 333]

The movie of the arrival of the flame to UAE , Hatta : http://www.doha-2006.com/gis/menuroo...eos.aspx?id=94

[Halawala]

The flame came to my university at 12:00 today, just duing my exam. I told the professor that Iwill take the exam at the other section because of the torch relay. I took 2 photos fromthe library of the flame passing by and thousands of people were in the courtyard awaiting the flame!

[Qatar Son 333]

cool but why didnt you post it before i mean early

[Halawala]

LooL! I told you I have exams after that; and I slept and I just woke up! Its only 6 hours old!

[omarmakki]

Originally Posted by qatar son 333

The movie of the arrival of the flame to UAE , Hatta : http://www.doha-2006.com/gis/menuroo...eos.aspx?id=94

Nahh... No crappy streaming videos for me.
Watched it on Aljazeera Intl. :P

[suzan]

Halawala! and where are you? I can't see you

[Qatar Son 333]

he is taking the pic lol i just reached 500 posts long way to omarmakki

[omarmakki]

I can see his reflection in the second pic
BTW, did you see Sheikh Jo3an there?

[Qatar Son 333]

Originally Posted by omarmakki

Nahh... No crappy streaming videos for me.
Watched it on Aljazeera Intl. :P

i know thats cool to but i saw the fireworks that happend in sharjah 1 hour ago and i saw the arrival in hatta it was good but still its good to see things online.