A torch of Military World Games was lit at Leh yesterday with fanfare by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju. The torch was handed over to the leader of EME Cycle Rally Team, which will carry it right up to Kanyakumari. The cycling expedition carrying the flame will cover a distance of 4249 kms in just 20 days. ‘Bravo’ the mascot of the Military World Games, is also accompanying this unique journey of Torch from Leh to Kanyakumari. Troops based at Leh, commanded by GOC, 14 Corps Lt Gen PC Bhardwaj cheered the Mascot Bravo and members of Endurance Expedition as the flame was lit and carried away.
The flame will reach New Delhi on 5th of next month. The torch will pass through Tangland – La, Charchu, Manali, Agra, Jhansi, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Kurnool, Hosur, etc before reaching Kanyakumari.
The event is part of series of events, which will be conducted as a precursor to the mega event, to be held in October this year. The Ceremony was organized to commemorate 75 days to the Military World Games.
India is conducting the 4th CISM Military World Games in Hyderabad and Mumbai during 14-21 October this year. Nearly 100 countries are expected to participate in this mega event. Going by the size, this event is considered to be the biggest sporting event, next only to the Olympics. In Olympics almost 25% of the medal winners are from the armed forces from world over. These Champions will comprise the 6000 strong participants worldwide. India is conducting this event for the first time. Various activities are being conducted by different units of the Indian Armed Forces to publicise the Military World Games.
samir/raj
(Release ID :29481)