Flag-bearer Forbes moved by experience

Delhi, India:

As the words 'Let's now welcome Jamaica' echoed throughout the cavity of the JN Stadium in Delhi, India, during the opening ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games on Sunday, one person sported a smile that could be spotted even from the second tier of the massive facility.

As national netball captain Simone Forbes glided around the venue with a firm grip on the chrome-coloured flagpole which bore the Jamaican flag, followed by a trail of gold-clad teammates in tow and 60,000-strong cheering in support - it was clear that this was an experience that meant a great deal to her.

It was not particularly a lifelong dream of her's to carry the flag at a major meet, but the impact that the experience has had is without doubt.

"I'm overwhelmed, it was such an honour to carry the flag," said Forbes afterwards. "I really wasn't expecting to be handed such an honour. At first I didn't really feel any way, to be honest, I just thought well, I'm going to be carrying the flag.

"But when I walked out with my nation's flag andrealised that so many people behind me could have been carrying it and also to think that so many greats have carried our flag at major Games; to be given that opportunity really moved me."

Forbes, who later helped the team to a convincing 75-36 triumph over Trinidad and Tobago at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex, believes that being selected to carry the flag was a homage to the sport and shows that netballers are being recognised and appreciated.

"I want to share this whole experience with the other members of my team. Of course, I play in a team sport and I couldn't have done what I did without them, so really I was representing the netball team and it was an awesome honour, and awesome experience," added Forbes.

Competing

The skipper was also full of praise for the organisers of the Games and rated it the best she has seen so far. This is her third time competing at the Commonwealth Games after Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006.

"From what I saw, it was a spectacular opening ceremony," said Forbes. "At this point, I can say that India by far is already the best Commonwealth Games that I have been to. Despite all that has been said it has been a fantastic Games so far."

Jamaica played much of the latter stages of their game against Trinidad and Tobago giving playing minutes to the younger, inexperienced players in the squad, but they never seemed to miss a beat as they ran riot on the Trinis.

"I was on the bench watching the game and making a lot of noise. I was so proud watching the young girls out there playing. I said to somebody beside me that I can probably retire soon based on what was happening on the court. They went on and did a fantastic job," Forbes added.

"It shows that we are still developing strong players and that the talent is there to replace us older ones and ensure that Jamaica continue to be represented the way it deserves to," she noted. "I was a little surprised at the levels that they showed. I knew they could play because if they couldn't obviously they wouldn't have been here, but when they went on and the way they gelled was just mind-blowing."

- André Lowe