2006 Asian Games torch relay begins

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New Delhi: The 2006 Asian Games torch relay began at the Doha Golf Club on Sunday with less than two months left for the start of competition.

The flame will visit 15 countries, travelling more than 50,000 kilometres in 55 days before the opening ceremony on December 1.

Local craftsmen helped give the event a rustic flavour as the country's heir apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikh Joann Bin Hamad Al Thani helped launch the proceedings.

It will be the longest relay in the history of the games with more than 3,500 torchbearers carrying the flame before it enters the Khalifa Stadium to officially start the event.

Master of Ceremonies Yusef Seif welcomed the crowd to Doha.

The words of the Doha 2006 Torch Relay slogan, 'Flame of Hospitality', were illuminated to signify Qatar's desire to welcome the rest of the continent to what will be the biggest Asian Games in history.

Guests from the 45 participating nations were provided with lanterns lit from the original flame by 45 Qatari athletes and 45 students from the Leadership Academy.

The torch, designed and inspired by the horns of Orry the Oryx - the mascot of the Games - will have its own attendants who will look after the Flame throughout its journey.

Leaving for India in a private aircraft known as the 'Flame Plane', the torch will travel in a specially made lantern so it will continue to shine throughout its travels.

After India the flame will travel up through Korea, the Philippines and Japan before hitting China, Macau, China and Hong Kong.

After a journey through Indonesia and Thailand, the flame will see the sights of IR Iran, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and, finally, on to the host country of Qatar.

The 15th Asian Games begin in Doha on December 1 and run until December 15.

(With inputs from Associated Press)