Panaji, Jan 16 (IANS): Two thousand performers, the passionate cheers of local supporters and the upgraded Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stadium at Fatorda will come together to orchestrate a grand opening ceremony for the Lusofonia Games Jan 18.

The performers will comprise folk performers and artists from Goa and other parts of India. Local school children will also be a part of the extravaganza.

Artists will perform dances depicting joy, cultivation, way of life, seasons, rituals and festivals in our cultural sphere. Multiple segments will showcase the various occupations of Goa, colours of India, magic of monsoons, Goa through late Mario Miranda’s eyes and more.

The entire show will be a kaleidoscope of India through the cast, props and technology.

To ensure everything goes off smoothly, personalities from the field of theatre and arts are closely monitoring the daily rehearsals. The putting together of huge prop fabrication models for the ceremonies is in full swing and international experts are working to set up lights and projections to put up a breathtaking display.

The third Lusofonia Games which will be held over 12 days from Jan 18 will see the participation of athletes and officials from 12 nations.

Participating countries are founding members Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Goa (India), Macau (China), Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and Sri Lanka.

Athletes will compete in nine different sporting disciplines - Athletics, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Football, Judo, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball and Wushu.

The Lusofonia Games are multinational and multi-sport, organised by ACOLOP (Associacao dos Comites Olimpicos de Lingua Oficial Portuguese), which involves athletes coming from Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) countries, namely those belonging to the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries), but also others where there are significant Portuguese communities or that have a common past with Portugal.