The 2010 Asian Games, also known as the XVI Asiad held in in Guangzhou, China from November 12 to November 27, 2010. Guangzhou was the second city in China hosted the Games after Beijing in 1990. A total of 476 events in 42 sports contested by athletes, making it the largest event in history of the Games. It was the last one to have presented such big events, as the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

The 2010 Asian Games opening ceremony officially began at 8:00 pm China Standard Time on November 12, 2010. The ceremony took place along the Pearl River on Haixinsha Island, mark it the first time in history that the ceremony was held outside the stadium. In front of 30,000 spectators, it lasted four hours, featured about 6,000 performers, with at least 40,000 of fireworks. The ceremony was choreographed by Chen Weiya, who was assistant director to Zhang Yimou in 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiaobao attended, joined by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and other dignitaries from the region. The extravaganza heralds the most ambitious Asiad so far with some 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and territories vying for gold in 42 sports.

The ceremony kicked off with a small boy floating down from the sky on a leaf-like carriage lit in green. He poured water from a bottle, setting off giant fountains that sprayed in arcs across the stage. Four dozen water goddesses seemed to walk across the water, followed by a dozen fairies rising out of pools in the stage floor.

Performers flapping large pieces of red cloth scrambled across the stage to create the image of petals dropping on water. Other actors entered in a large sampan-like vessel, recreating a journey in rough seas, with the would-be sailors swaying on ropes and ladders amid waters represented by large flags waved by hundreds of dancers.

Classical pianist Lang Lang performed on a white grand and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” actress Zhang Ziyi sang as synchronised swimmers danced and water sprouted before them.Performers on jet skis zoomed into the stadium and performed tricks.In a playful segment, dozens of dancers attached to wires seemed to run across cityscapes flashed across the video screens, climbed mountains and formed formations to look like eagles flying through the sky.

The athletes arrived on boats that ferried them down the Pearl River. Brightly illuminated in bulbs of different colors, the 45 boats were decorated with Asian landmarks — including Japan’s Mount Fuji, Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Jordan’s Petra and India’s Taj Mahal. China was represented by the Temple of Heaven, the Bird’s Nest and the country’s pavilion from the recently concluded Shanghai World Expo.

Sports/Events

42
Aquatics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Billiard Sports, Bowling, Boxing, Canoe/Kayak, Chess, Cricket, Cycling, DanceSport, Dragon Boat, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Karate, Modern Pentathlon, Roller Sports, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Sepaktakraw, Softball, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Wushu.

Pakistan's Participation in XVI Asian Games

237-member Pakistan Contingent participated in the XVI Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China from 12th to 27th November, 2010. The following were the members of Pakistan Contingent:-
 

  
  Medal Tally of XVI Asian Games
 

   
   Pakistan's Medal Tally in XVI Asian Games