The city will have the attention of the nation's sporting fraternity as the XIX Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay makes its way around with receptions at 17 locations here on the National Sports Day on Sunday.
The baton reached the city on Saturday, accompanied by a convoy of vehicles and a full fledged multi media team of Marwah Studios, the only official media team of the relay, after an official reception at the Cochin International Airport in Nedumbassery. District Collector M Beena received the torch, after its Lakshadweep leg, from Commander VN Singh who is leading a team of 91 delegates during the baton's journey across the nation.
Olympians TC Yohannan, O Chandrashekharan and Shiny Wilson will receive the baton from the District Collector at the Maharaja's College Stadium at 9 a.m., marking the start of the Kochi leg. Sports Minister M Vijayakumar, Fisheries Minister S Sarma, along with MPs, MLAs, sports officials and athletes will be present at the ceremony.
The Southern Naval Command and the Kochi City Police will accord special receptions to the Queen's Baton relay.
At the Travancore Gate, Southern Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Vice Admiral KN Sushil will join the Navy's sportsmen, accompanied by the Navy band, to receive the baton.
Ernakulam Range IG B Sandhya, City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham and Deputy Commissioner PH Ashraf will lead the police during the function at High Court Junction.
In view of the event, security has been tightened, with commandos helping the police, the Collector's office has said.” We at Marwah Studios at Noida, keeping full check on our multimedia team” said Sandeep Marwah, President Marwah studios.
The baton will leave for Thrissur on Monday
