Commonwealth Games begins with bowls before opening ceremony

Among the early starters was Gary Kelly of Northern Ireland, who defeated Frederrick Tafatu of Niue 2-0.

He told BBC Scotland News: “It’s a great opportunity to put our sport on the stage.

“Its an absolute honour for every one of us here to be involved in the Games, whether coaches, athletes, managers, and just fantastic to be involved in nations coming together like this.”

Also off to a winning start were the Australian duo of Dawn Hayman and Kelsey Cottrell, who defeated the Zambian pair of Foster Banda and Gertrude Siame.

Cottrell said: “We were excited to be starting, it was like OK, we’re on day zero so we don’t have to wait as long as everyone else so let’s get right into it.

“But then you’re not totally sure what you’re doing, or what the atmosphere’s like, so you get a little bit nervous.”

Hayman, the lead in the duo, is taking part in her first Games.

She said: “I’m really soaking up the atmosphere, and I’m just super happy to be here. It’s really good for us to be on when no other sports have started yet.”