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Asian Games 2023 Opening Ceremony Highlights: Mesmerising Opening Ceremony Marks Official Beginning Of Asiad 2023
Asian Games 2023 Opening Ceremony Highlights: China President Xi Jinping declared the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 officially open on Saturday.
- NDTV Sports Desk
- Updated:September 23, 2023 07:47 PM IST
Read Time: 1 min

Asian Games 2023 Opening Ceremony Highlights© AFP
Asian Games 2023 Opening Ceremony Highlights: The opening ceremony of Asian Games 2023 kicked off with an artistic program with Chinese President Xi Jinping among the important guests. India's flag-bearers in the athletes' parade were men's hockey team captain, Harmanpreet Singh, and star boxer Lovlina Borgohain. The dress for the Indian contingent included a khaki textured saree for women and a khaki kurta for the male players. Later, Xi Jinping declared the Asian Games 2023 officially open. Mesmerising song and light show captivated the mind of the audience at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium.
(Asian Games 2023 Medals Tally | Asian Games 2023 Full Schedule)
Here are the Highlights of Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony from Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium:
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- 19:36 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Torch is lit!The torch was lit and it was followed by a final performance and this is how the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2023 ended.
- 19:31 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Time for torch relay!The torch relay at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium has begun. It is accompanied by some great of Artificial Intelligence.
- 19:19 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Show goes on!The sensational work of light in the stadium ends and it follows children singing a song in chorus.
- 19:04 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Spectacular show!A superb dance show amid pleasing music and some great light effects are together making it a spectacular watch. It is showing the China's cultural heritage and romantic imagery.
- 18:53 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: OCA flag hoisted!The Olympic Council of Asia flag has been hoisted with the crowd on its feet.
- 18:51 (IST)Asian Games 2023 is officially open now!China President Xi Jinping has declared the Asian Games 2023 officially open now.
- 18:43 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Randhir Singh at centre!Randhir Singh, interim president of the Olympic Council of Asia, currently at the stage. “On behalf of OCA, I would like to say how proud and happy we are. Heart to heart @ future, this is not only the slogan for Asian Games but also the future of Asia. To the spectators and people of Hangzhou, Xie Xie for your hospitality and warm welcome," he said.
- 18:39 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Gao Zhidan gives a speech!Gao Zhidan, the president of Asian Games organising committee is giving a speech currently.
- 18:17 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: What an ambience!The Sri Lankan contingent were on the stage. Syria is now at the centre stage. The Mascots along with the song in the background and light are making is all a surreal experience for everyone. Chinese Taipei comes next and it receives a huge cheer from the crowd.
- 18:07 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: More on athletes' parade!The contingent of Myanmar and Nepal are at the centre stage now. Oman comes next. The crowd is cheering really well for the teams here.
- 18:03 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Indian contingent shines!Conceived and uniquely designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology, the dress for the Indian contingent included a khaki textured saree for women and a khaki kurta for the male players.
- 17:50 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Indian contingent here!Here comes the Indian contingent led by boxer Lovlina Borgohain and men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh. Iran comes next to them and the Iraq contingent follows.
- 17:47 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: It goes on!The contingents of Bhutan, Cambodia and North Korea also go through the stage. This all is taking place amid beautiful lights and music. Hong Kong is the next one to arrive and it receives a lot of cheer from the crowd.
- 17:43 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Athletes' parade underway!The Bahrain contingent now takes the centre stage. Their athletes wave the flags with smiling faces. Next comes the Bangladesh contingent.
- 17:40 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Mascots on stage!The Mascots of Asian Games 2023 are on the stage now with a superb dance performance accompanying them. Beautiful lights and dance work all around the stage and there comes Afghanistan's contingent.
- 17:38 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: National anthem time!The crowd is on its feet for China's national anthem and flag.
- 17:37 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Show underway!The artistic program has the Great Wall of China being shown on the big screen with the soldiers walking with the Chinese flag on the stage. This all is being accompanied by song in the background.
- 17:31 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Opening ceremony begins!The Asian games 2023 opening ceremony has kicked off. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also among the attendees at the event. It has started with an artistic program.
- 17:27 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: Team India full of energy!
The energy of #TeamIndia#IndiaAtAG22 pic.twitter.com/kNycxtaqwC
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) September 23, 2023 - 17:24 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: A record Indian contingent!India have sent a record contingent of 921 to take part in the Asian Games 2023. Out of that 655 are athletes, 260 are coaches and support staff. While multiple events have already kicked off on September 19, the opening ceremony on Saturday will officially mark the start of the 19th Asian Games.
- 17:08 (IST)Asian Games Opening Ceremony Live: India's two flag-bearers -The captain of the men's hockey team, Harmanpreet Singh, and star boxer Lovlina Borgohain will be the flag-bearers for India at the Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony. Both of them are ready for the event.
- 17:06 (IST)Welcome guys!Hello everyone, welcome the live blog of Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony. The event takes place at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium. Stay connected for the all the updates.
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