Meitaki maata India

Delhi put on a party to remember as the 19th Delhi Commonwealth Games came to a close on Thursday evening in India.

And the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was party central as all competing teams marched together into the stadium, epitomising what the games are all about – fun and friendship in sport.

The main message of the closing ceremony was that India has staged one of the most diverse and organised Commonwealth Games.

Despite the sensationalised news reports that the games would come under attack by terrorists and that the games village was unsafe and uninhabitable – the games went without a hitch and only fantastic memories remain.

Papa bowler Pita Toto was the best performed athlete for the Cooks at the games and was honoured as the closing ceremony flag bearer. He lead the team along with chef de mission George George, netball captain Ritua Aliivaa and bowling managers Ana Kairua and Nelson Akava.

Athletes and officials mixed and mingled and partied with the Indian hosts who put on another spectacular show.

The only formal proceedings during the closing ceremony were the lowering of the Commonwealth Games flag and the handover to Scotland, who will host the games in Glasgow in 2014.

The next host nation gave the packed-out stadium a taste of what they have to offer when they host the games.

Of course the bagpipes and kilts were standout symbols of Scotland, but it was the laser light show that really wowed the crowed with some innovative light displays and dances leaving athletes looking forward to Glasgow 2014.

Team Cook Islands members were once again mobbed by photographers wanting photos of the team with their ei katu and some were even lucky to receive the ei for either a pin or a team uniform.

The party didn’t run on too long for the local team as packing and cleaning were on the cards before an early morning departure from the games village to the airport for the first part of the team’s journey home – a 15 hour flight to Auckland.

From Team Cook Islands we say Namaste and meitaki maata India for being a wonderful host and sharing their diverse culture.