Flag bearer of Qatar Mubarak Ali al-Morekhe leading the team into the opening ceremony of the 17th Asian Games in the South Korean port city of Incheon yesterday. The world’s second-biggest multi-sports spectacle after the Olympic Games, that will see over 13,000 competitors from 45 countries and regions vying for glory, was kick-started with singing, dancing, besides the expected fanfare and fireworks. The Games were declared open by South Korean President Park Geun-Hye with the words “I declare open the 17th Asian Games”, before celebrated actress Lee Young-ae lit up the flame resembling a fountain of cascading water. The Asian Games is the continent’s largest sports event. The 2014 games will feature 36 sports and award about 439 gold medals. Reports and more pictures:
