Glasgow’s doors will open in the light of the opening Mozammel Haque Chanchal Mozammel Haque Chanchal

The city of Glasgow is dressed in a different form. The colors of the flags of different countries are reflected in the water of the Clyde River. People from different parts of the world are walking on the streets. Some are wearing their country's jerseys, some are holding flags, some are looking forward to the joy of waiting for many days. Some are athletes, some are coaches, some are volunteers, some are just lovers of the game. In a few hours, the city of industry, Glasgow, will become the meeting place of the Commonwealth family.

The curtain of the 23rd Commonwealth Games will rise at the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow at 1 am Bangladesh time. Britain's King Charles III will officially declare the opening of this great event. Queen Camilla, Commonwealth Sport President Dr. Donald Rookery, Glasgow 2026 Organizing Committee Chairman George Black, Scottish sports legend Sir Chris Hoy and other prominent figures from the international arena will be present with him.

The most emotional moment of the opening ceremony will be the end of the King’s Baton Relay. On Commonwealth Day 2025, on 10 March 2025, at Buckingham Palace, King Charles III left a special message inside the King’s Baton. The legendary Scottish cyclist Sir Chris Howe started the journey. The baton has since travelled 500 days to 74 Commonwealth countries and territories.

This is the longest baton relay in Commonwealth Games history. Today marks the final chapter of that journey on stage in Glasgow. King Charles will read out the message inside the baton himself. At that moment, the doors to Glasgow 2026 will officially open.

This year’s baton relay was special. For the first time, each country and region has created a different baton to symbolise their culture, heritage and identity. 74 batons will come together in Glasgow. Scotland’s baton is made from locally sourced sustainable ash wood.

The opening ceremony will also have its own Glasgow touch. A colorful event will be created by combining Scottish music, dance, modern technology and cultural heritage. This city will showcase its history, culture and people's vitality in front of millions of viewers around the world.

The young star of the national swimming team, Samiul Islam Rafi, will walk with the red-green flag in the opening parade. And another swimmer from Bangladesh, Sonia Akhter, has been given the honor of carrying the King's Baton. The flag of Bangladesh will fly in their hands in the light of Glasgow, which will carry the emotions of millions of people in the country.

This time, Bangladesh is participating with 15 athletes in four disciplines. Imranur Rahman, Shirin Akhter, Swapna Khatun, Lushad Islam and Nazimul Hossain Rony will be in athletics. Sonia Akhter, Kajal Mia, Samiul Islam Rafi and Jinnat Ferdous will represent Bangladesh in swimming. Rakib Hossain, Ruhin Reza and Jinnat Ferdous will compete in boxing. Shishir Ahmed, Rajiv Chakma and Abu Saeed Rafi will represent the country in artistic gymnastics.

The road ahead of them is difficult. The fight for medals among world-class athletes is not easy. But standing on one of the world's biggest sports stages with the country's flag on your chest is no small achievement. Some are dreaming of their best performance, some of them are dreaming of international experience, and some are waiting for the best moment of their lives.

This sports festival will continue until August 2. About 3,000 athletes from 74 countries and regions will participate in 10 sports and six para sports. The competition will be for 215 gold medals. The competition stage will be the Scotstown Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Center, Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Scottish Event Campus.

The story of these Games is also being written in the parks, riverbanks, cafes, street art and people's smiles in Glasgow city. 'Game On' live site in Kelvingrove Park, 'Commonwealth Mile' on the banks of the River Clyde. All in all, the entire city has become an open festival stage.

When Bangladeshi athletes walk in the marchpast, the country's Commonwealth history will also walk with them. Salam's gold medal, Atiq's success, Abdullah Hale Baki's silver medal, and the untold stories of struggle of countless athletes will be intertwined in those few minutes of march.

Tonight is not just the opening night. It is a night of dreaming. A night of waiting for new history. In the next 11 days, new heroes, new records, new wonders may be born. The first line of the story will be written today, at the sparkling OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow.

As soon as King Charles announces the opening, another memorable chapter of the Commonwealth family will begin.