Cultural extravaganza planned for Lusofonia Games

The upcoming Lusofonia Games, which will see participation from a dozen countries, will have a distinct Goan flavour marked with razzmatazz and varied cultural aspects of the coastal state.
The multi-sporting event, to be participated by 1,500 athletes from Portuguese-speaking countries, will be held in Goa in January next year.
Goa's quintessential nightingales - Lorna and Sonia Shirsat - will lend their melodious voices to the Games' official song, penned by poet-writer Vishnu Wagh and composed by local musician Mukesh Ghatwal.
The multilingual song has been scripted in Konkani, Portuguese, Marathi, Hindi and English, Keshav Chandra, CEO of the Games, said at a press conference here today.

Celebrations around the much-anticipated event will kick off on December 11, when a dazzling ceremony has been planned along the river Mandovi in Panaji to launch the Games' song and its mascot, he said.
The colourful event will take place in the presence of state officials, sportspersons, Chef-de-Missions of the participating countries and other dignitaries. Goa's leading sportspersons will be felicitated on the occasion.