Australian David Atkins, producer of the Asian Games opening and closing ceremonies, is the man who designed the Sydney Games' opening ceremony. He said yesterday that he has been preparing for Doha for two years and is convinced the ceremonies at the Asian Games will be the best ever.

"As the opening ceremony in the Sydney Olympics focussed on the magnificent cultural theme and the Athens Games the significant history of the host nation, the Doha Asiad will be an excellent mixture of both culture and history. We will also add the beauty of art and music as good gradients to make the Doha Asiad opening the biggest and the most spectacular ever," Atkins said.

Atkins showed the media covering the Asiad a five-minute video preview of the opening ceremony which will take place in two days at the 40,000-seater Khalifa Stadium.

Sharf Omar Hashisho, director of ceremonies and cultural events at the games, said the Olympic-standard ceremonies would emphasise past and present lifestyles in the Arab world.

"The opening ceremony will be the most sophisticated ever seen at the Asiad. We have been working for many months to create a database of Qatari artistic talent and we believe their input in the ceremony will be a highlight of the Games," Hashisho said.

"We are keen to evoke an overwhelming sense of pride, wonder and goodwill. We are confident our efforts will be a spectacle to remember. Billions of viewers world-wide are expected to watch the opening ceremony on television, in a three-hour long broadcast. We have hired the best in the business."

He added that as the cauldron is lit at the opening ceremony, powerful searchlights will sweep through the flame and up the Sport City Tower, symbolically connecting them. This will be followed by a complex fireworks and searchlight show.

"The ceremony will position Doha as a city of diversity, where east meet west and traditions exist side by side with modern life," said Hashisho. "It will be a great celebration of art, culture and history that will unite aspects of Qatari and Asian culture into a dazzling showcase of light, sound, music and dance."

Preechachan  Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Doha