Veep flags off Queens Baton relay
By Sports Reporter
REPUBLICAN vice-president Lupando Mwape is today expected to flag off the Zambian leg of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Queens Baton relay.
The Queen’s Baton, which is on an epic journey and traverse in about 71 Commonwealth countries, was in Malawi before arriving at Lusaka International Airport last night aboard South African Airways.
The relay will start this morning with an official ceremony at the embassy park to be officiated by Mwape, who will pass on the Baton to members of the diplomatic corps, ministers and other dignitaries.
A Commonwealth medalist will receive the Baton, which is coming to Zambia for the first time and travel with it, together with the crew, to the airport roundabout where the relay will start.
The Baton will then be carried through the city of Lusaka on Chilimbulu, Manchinchi and Great East roads, accompanied by hundreds of school pupils and members of the public.
The relay will later culminate in a sports festival to be held at the International School of Lusaka.
The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games will take place in March next year, with more than 4,500 competitors expected from 71 countries.
The Queen’s Baton relay has been an integral part of the Commonwealth Games programme for almost 50 years, since the first games were staged in Cardiff, Wales in 1958.
