Bangkok--19 Dec--eTurboNews DOHA, Qatar (Bernama) -- Despite the prevailing chilly weather, the Doha Asian Games Closing Ceremony at the Khalifa Stadium was not spoiled by rain as spectators were treated to a multimedia feast of tales from "A Thousand and One Nights." Shorter but no less extravagant than the spectacular Opening Ceremony, a giant book formed the centerpiece of the 55-minute segment of the " Arabian Nights," whereby the pages were turned to introduce the stories of Scheherazade, whose talent for story-telling kept her alive night after night because they enthralled Haroun Al-Rashid, the famous caliph who roamed the streets of Baghdad in disguise to discover the thoughts of his people. "It's a time to celebrate the athletes who have thrilled us in the past days and to thank the State of Qatar," said David Atkins, the artistic director and producer of both the Opening and Closing ceremonies, at a media briefing earlier. Like in the Opening Ceremony, there was an "audience participation kit" containing in a miniature Qatari flag, an LED lantern, star and glow stick under each seat. From the Arabic dances of Al-Andalus that evolved into the famed flamenco of Spain, the audience were treated also to the whirling dance of the Dervishes and an aerial "dance of the Genie" before the Athletes Parade. The Malaysian contingent was led by squash gold medalist Nicol David ahead of 110 athletes & officials dressed in "harimau" (tiger stripes) tracksuits and arranged by their sport - squash, takraw, cycling, women's hockey, diving, wushu.The last of them are scheduled to depart Doha on the night of December 17. Following closing speeches by the Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee (DAGOC) chairman, the Crown Prince of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Chairman Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the OCA flag, and the Asian Games flag and torch was handed over to Zhang Guang Ning, mayor of Guangzhou, the next host city of the Asian Games in 2010. This marked the start of a dazzling 10-minute spectacle by some 65 performers and 15 crew from Guangzhou who offered a preview of what to expect in four years' time. Filipino international star Lea Salonga, a Tony award winner for her performance in the Broadway musical "Miss Saigon," concluded the show with a tribute composed by Australian composer Kylie Burtland and fireworks. Beyond the sporting records, this biggest ever Asiad with the most number of sports (39), delegates (11,500) and participating countries and regions (45) charted the debut of the triathlon, equestrian endurance race and chess in the Asian Games. It was also the first to record the death of a competitor - when Korean equestrian rider Kim Hyung-chil was crushed by his horse after they failed to clear an obstacle during the cross country event on Dec 7. Following an inquiry that certified that it was a tragic accident, DAGOC announced that a monument will be built in his honour at the Aspire Zone, henceforth the new name of the main competition venue that has been known as Sports City for the past 15 days. Plans are also afoot to turn the iconic Torch Tower there into a five-star hotel to promote sports tourism to the state-of-the art sports complex that includes the world's largest indoor sports dome. Host nation Qatar's unprecedented medal haul of nine gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze put it in ninth place, two rungs above Malaysia, which had its best ever Asian Games medal haul of eight gold, 17 silver and 17 bronze. Meanwhile, China further stamped its supremacy at the top with 165 gold, 88 silver and 63 bronze. Until the next Asiad in Guangzhou, China, goodbye Doha.