Manila to make unique torch relay: official

The Manila leg of the 15th Asian Games torch relay will be unique in many ways, one that is worth telling many times over, local media reported on Wednesday.

"We want to be different. We want it to be one of the most memorable in the history of the Asian Games," said Mario Tanchanco, chairman of the Manila leg.

The unique run, set on Thursday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., is aimed at making the third leg of this year's Asian Games torch relay one of the best ever in the history of the quadrennial event, according to a report by The Manila Bulletin.

The unique run will be highlighted by a horse-driven and boat-riding torch-bearers while passing through key streets of Metro Manila, said the report.

Among the torch bearers are former Olympian Ali Abdulla M.A. Mohamed of Qatar, Busan Asian Games gold medalist Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Olympian Mansueto Velasco and four-time world bowling champion Rafael Nepomuceno. A total of 125 runners will participate in the event that will start and end at the Rizal Park.

The torch, designed like the curve of the horns of the Arabian Oryx (the national animal which also inspired the Games mascot), arrived from Busan, South Korea on Monday along with Qatar Ambassador Abdullah Ahmed Yousif Almutawa and Crown Prince H. E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

After the relay, a two-hour cultural presentation will be held at the Quirino Grandstand.

Doha Games Torch relay media chief Nicole Brown said that the relay, which will cover 15 Asian nations and 22 cities in 55 days, symbolizes the unity among Asian nations as well as a celebration of the different local culture of the countries.

The flame had already passed New Delhi and Busan.

Source: Xinhua