Commonwealth Games Delhi India 2010 Commonwealth Games India

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Patrick Manning has expressed an interest in the country staging the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

T&T is one of three countries so far – the others Australia and Nigeria — showing an interest in bidding for the games in nine years. The Australian city of Melbourne staged the 2006 Commonwealth Games and Nigeria’s Abuja lost out to Glasgow (Scotland) for the 2014 Games.

India will host the 19th edition of the Commonwealth Games next year.

Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, made the disclosure about T&T’s interest on Saturday, during a press conference at the International Financial Centre, Port-of-Spain.

Manning’s intentions were made at a Sports Breakfast meeting, in which Kalmadi and dignitaries representing the Commonwealth nations attended at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

“In his (Manning’s) speech, he said he would like to be the host of the Commonwealth Games 2018,” Kalmadi said.

“He made a bid right there in front of all of us,” added Kalmadi.

Manning’s bid came on the heels of T&T’s hosting of the Fifth Summit of the Americas in April and just before the closure of the 21st Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) here this past weekend.

Kalmadi said countries need strong financial backing to successfully bid for the Commonwealth Games.

Asked if T&T would be able to prepare for an event of this magnitude, Kalmadi said, “It depends on your government. If they are ready to come forward or not”.

The 2010 games, which will be held in Delhi India next October, has already cost India’s government US$2 billion.

T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) general secretary Brian Lewis said that in 2008 they had given some thought to staging the Commonwealth Games.

“Our intention was to engage discussion with Sport Minister Gary Hunt and the government following the Caribbean Games.”

T&T cancelled staging the Caribbean Games earlier this year as a result of the H1N1 virus and scuppered the TTOC’s projections for the bigger assignment.

“The background of a successful Caribbean Games would have given T&T a good argument to be the (Commonwealth) host. If the Prime Minister is of the view it is something he would like to explore, I would think the T&TOC would like to have some discussion with him,” Lewis said.

source >> http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/sports/12/01/tt-interested-in-commonwealth-games-bid/

New Delhi, Dec 20(ANI): The Group of Ministers (GoM) and the core committee responsible for the completion of the projects related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games met to review and discuss the preparations for the mega event on Sunday.

Buzz up!
Addressing the media, Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister M. S. Gill, expressed his satisfaction over the pace of work and hoped all the tasks will be completed by the scheduled dates.


"Stadium and everything will be done and ready for the Commonwealth Games and much before that. That's all I have to say, I have full understanding with Fennell (President of the Commonwealth Games Federation) and I was sitting in the meeting in London and the discussion went on in my presence, it was my proposal only," Gill said.

However, in contrast to the views of Gill, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said: "I am still not comfortable because I am nervous, but I think it will be done."

Among those who took part in the meeting was noted movie director-scriptwriter Shyam Benegal, who has been assigned the task of apt programmes for the opening and closing ceremonies.

Accompanied by another famous movie personality, Javed Akthar, the lyricist, Benegal presented his proposals, which he said have been accepted.

"The concept has been more or less approved. It is the question of responsibility of OC (Organising Committee) now to make it happen. As far as the core team is concerned, we have given them the concept, both for the opening as well as the closing ceremonies. And they have accepted it," Benegal said.

The Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held between October 3 and 14 in New Delhi will be India's first major international sports event after the 1982 Asian Games. (ANI)

source >> http://www.in.com/news/current-affairs/group-of-ministers-core-committee-meets-to-review-2010-commonwealth-games-sunday-december-20-20091609-ist-2f18c9e4837f60aa31b932ee13d492bbf989e8ed-131233-true.html

he Indian government on Thursday sanctioned an additional loan of 182 million dollars for next year’s Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi.

The organising committee will receive a loan of 345 million dollars, more than double of the original figure of 163 million dollars, cabinet minister Ambika Soni told reporters.

Rising costs for the opening and closing ceremonies and the increase in the number of days for the Queen’s Baton Relay — it is twice the length for this games as for previous editions — were some of the reasons for the increased budget, Soni said.

The Delhi 2010 Games, which run from October 3-14, are already the most expensive Commonwealth Games in history with an infrastructure and organising budget of two billion dollars.

New Delhi: Eying the growing domestic tourist sector, Mahindra Holidays and Resorts, a part of Mahindra group, said it will be adding 1,000 more holiday homes under its newly-launched Homestays brand.

"India is not a place to see but to experience. Homestays is a new concept which allows tourists to stay in Indian homes instead of hotels, allowing them to experience a little more of the 'real' India," company managing director Ramesh Ramanathan told reporters.

Under the scheme, tourists will stay with families in their homes in select locations, where they can get a peek into the cultural traditions, history and everyday life of the hosts and enjoy local home-cooked food.

The tariff starts from Rs.1,200 that includes taxes and breakfast, with the average rate being Rs.2,500.

At present, Mahindra Homestays has around 50 family properties in 10 states including Delhi, Rajasthan, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh.

The hotel brand was launched last July mainly targeting foreign tourists. But now the company is also looking at the middle class domestic tourists.

"Our target is to bring 120 Homestays units under our brand by the end of current year and 1,000 in the next five years," Ramnathan said, adding that 80 percent of the revenue earned would go to home owners.

"We have already signed agreements with the Kerala tourism department and are in talks with Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Delhi."

The company is also eying the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and has roped in eight Homestays partner in the capital and adjoining areas, he added.

source >> http://www.cwgdelhi.net/commonwealth-games/cwg-secutiry/319-mahindra-to-add-1000-more-holiday-homes.html

MELBOURNE-- Australia's Commonwealth Games top body said the Gold Coast in Queensland has a realistic shot at hosting the 2018 Games.

Queensland State Premier Anna Bligh on Wednesday released preliminary plans for infrastructure needed for the Gold Coast to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, ahead of a trip to India to argue the glitter strip's credentials, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.

Bligh travels to Delhi on Thursday to meet with officials, as part of a wider trade mission.

She told the state parliament in Brisbane on Wednesday that she would go armed with ideas on how the Gold Coast could accommodate the international sporting event.

Bligh said the state government had finalised an investigation into the games and found the coast to be "very well placed" to launch a successful bid.

Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite said the Gold Coast "certainly had a realistic shot", with just a few hurdles to overcome.

Auckland and the Nigerian capital, Abuja, are expected to be the hottest challengers to the Gold Coast's bid.

source >> http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=445182

Bonn, Germany – The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has officially released the Para-Sports Medal Events Programme for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games following consultation with the International Paralympic Committee. The Commonwealth Games will take place from 3-14 October 2010 in Delhi, India, and will showcase world-class sporting opportunities for elite athletes with a disability.

The 15 Para-Sports medal events to be included on the Delhi 2010 programme are as follows:

Athletics Events

Men’s Shot Put - F32/34/52
Men’s 100m - T46
Men’s 1500m - T54
Women’s Shot Put - F32-34/52/53
Women’s 100m - T37
Women’s 1500m - T54

Swimming Events

Men’s 50m Freestyle - S9
Men’s 100m Freestyle - S8
Men’s 100m Freestyle - S10
Women’s 50m Freestyle - S9
Women’s 100m Freestyle - S9
Women’s 100m Butterfly - S9

Powerlifting Events

Men’s Bench Press - Open
Women’s Bench Press - Open

Table Tennis Events

Women’s Wheelchair - Open (Classes TT1-5)

Delhi 2010 Organizing Committee Chairman, Suresh Kalmadi said that the inclusion of the Para-Sport Medal Events Programme in the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games will provide the city of Delhi and the country of India an outstanding opportunity to build greater social awareness of Paralympic sports, as well as the elite performances that athletes with a disability are capable of achieving.

"These events will challenge us to develop a more "barrier-free" environment in Delhi, ensuring that all Commonwealth Games athletes fully enjoy their experience, and that the Games will leave a meaningful legacy in this regard," Kalmadi said.

Sir Philip Craven, President of the IPC, said the commitment of the CGF will prove successful in 2010, providing elite sporting opportunities for athletes with a disability from all over the Commonwealth.

“As the world was able to see in China, the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games brought the Paralympic Movement to new heights,” Sir Philip said. “And I look forward to seeing a positive impact in India during the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games with the global attention that is certain to accompany the event.”

Mike Fennell, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said that the relationship shared with the IPC and the Paralympic Movement is a priority for the CGF.

“The Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games Para-Sport Medal events programme will undoubtedly continue to be a valued added and distinct component to our Games, providing great opportunities, for elite athletes with a disability, while further promoting the positive impact of the Paralympic Movement and the relationship shared between the CGF and the IPC” Fennell said.

The Co-operative Agreement between the IPC and CGF, which was signed in November 2007, under the banner of "Partners Uniting the Commonwealth Through Sport”, is the foundation for the institutional and Games related relationship the two organizations share.

The Commonwealth Games are held every four years and involve the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. The multi-national and multi-sport event has been previously held in Melbourne in 2006 and Manchester in 2002.

source >> http://www.paralympic.org/release/Main_Sections_Menu/News/Press_Releases/2008_11_26_a.html

New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) With the 2010 Commonwealth Games less than 15 months away, the Delhi government Friday unveiled a slew of measures for improving greenery, streetscaping and beautification around stadia in the national capital during the event.
The government’s Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) headed by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit cleared 15 proposals worth Rs.398 crore (Rs.3.98 billion), including Rs.272 crore (Rs 2.72 billion) for work related to the 2010 Games.

“The government would ensure world-class streetscaping and beautification around various stadiums during the Commonwealth Games,” Dikshit told reporters after the meeting.

Of the 15 projects, one is for the environment department and the others relate to the Public Works Department (PWD).

Potted plants will be displayed around the games venue. The committee has also cleared proposals related to beautification of roads around various stadiums during 2010 CWG.

Besides this, the government has decided to replace old signages with new ones that are attractive, weather resistant, modern and uniform and durable.

It will re-surface bituminous roads by using plastic waste.

“Re-surfacing of roads by use of plastic waste would go a long way in protecting the environment, which is one of the priorities of the city government,” Dikshit added.

source >> http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/enviornment/for-games-delhi-clears-rs4-bn-beautification-projects_100222552.html

New Delhi: Taking inspiration from the Beijing Olympics held last year, the Delhi government, too, is keen to display its commitment towards the conservation of environment to the world. It plans to introduce ‘hybrid’ electric buses during the Commonwealth Games to be held in October 2010.

These hybrid buses will run on CNG and electric energy, and the government plans to station them at all 11 Games venues to transport athletes and spectators. It may also possibly give joyrides to inquisitive visitors.

While Delhi already has a huge base for a CNG-propelled public transport system and it has recently introduced subsidies on the cost of battery-operated cars and two-wheelers, Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta said these hybrid buses would be in addition to the eco-friendly transportation structure to be provided during the Games.

“Hybrid buses were a part of the system during Beijing Olympics. Delhi, too, has a green city agenda and the event (Commonwealth Games) could be used to extend our commitment to the cause,” he said.

2010 Commonwealth Games

After the introduction of motorbikes fitted with fire extinguishers in April, the Delhi Fire Service is now planning to introduce small cars and jeeps fitted with firefighting equipment that will be used for tackling emergency situations during the

As per the authorities, the idea behind using smaller vehicles is to cut down on the time taken by a fire tender to reach its destination. Officials believe smaller vehicles will result in "increasing operational capabilities" of the department and save precious time, as it will allow easier movement even during heavy traffic situations during the Games.

Even when introducing the motorbikes, officials had said the main purpose was to "reduce response time" by deploying them in fire-prone, congested areas like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Old Delhi and Trans-Yamuna areas.

In May 1999, 57 people died in a fire that broke out in a chemical market in the congested Lal Kuan area - one of the biggest fire calamities witnessed in the Capital. A similar mishap occurred at Swadeshi Market in Sadar Bazar in December 2001.

Fire officials have pointed out that a primary reason for the magnitude and high casualty rate witnessed in these incidents is the inability of bigger fire tenders to reach the spots in time.

"The department is considering using smaller vehicles, like the Maruti Gypsy or small vans, instead of the regular tenders for tackling untoward incidents at or near Games venues," said Chief Fire Officer R C Sharma. "We will take another month or so to take a final decision on the issue," he said.

Security is the prime concern ahead of next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi due to the tense situation in the region, organisers said on Wednesday.

New Delhi, May 11 (ANI): A Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) security delegation arrived here on Monday to inspect all the facilities and the stadiums before the games to be held in 2010.

A meeting took place at the Delhi Secretariat where Delhi gave its presentation to the delegation members.

Suresh Kalmadi, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was also present. He later said that the Commonwealth Games work is not getting delayed at all.

“A delegation of Commonwealth Games has arrived in Delhi, which was here six months back also. They are inspecting all the facilities here and are having discussions with all the stakeholders. Today was the presentation by the Delhi Government. Tomorrow and day after tomorrow, they will see the presentation of the stadiums. Till now, all the presentation work regarding the Commonwealth has proceeded on time,” said Kalmadi.

Preparations for Commonwealth Games are on here for hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games at an estimated cost of 70 billion rupees.

Delhi had bagged the contract after beating the Canadian city Hamilton in the bid for the games.

The Games will be staged in India for the first time and in Asia for the second time. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, held the Commonwealth Games in 1998. With a population of more than 1.2 billion, India is the largest country in the Commonwealth.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be India’s first big International sports event since the 1982 Asian Games. New Delhi hosted the inaugural Asian Games in 1951 and again in 1982. (ANI)

Yet another 2010 Commonwealth Games project has hit a bureaucratic roadblock. The environment department of Delhi government is yet to give the green signal to MCD to widen the road leading to Karni Singh shooting range. And while the project has been stuck for over six months, the government is now thinking of making the road one-way, at least for the duration of the Games.

While the civic agency claims that the road is too narrow and needs to be widened to ease traffic problems — especially since it is in the border area — the environment department has refused permission as widening the road would require cutting of over 400 trees. Besides, the area is part of the southern ridge and therefore widening will not be possible.

Said standing committee chairman Vijender Gupta: ‘‘I inspected the site two weeks ago and noticed traffic jams as the road is narrow. Since the road leads to a Games venue, widening is necessary. Moreover, the road is near the border and witnesses heavy traffic volume daily.’’ Around Rs 1.5 crore is being spent on strengthening and improving the road.
Added Gupta: ‘‘If we are spending money, we should try resolving the problem long-term. The problem of traffic congestion will remain after the Games if the road is not widened, once it becomes two-way again. We are supposed to meet chief secretary Rakesh Mehta on this issue.’’ The road extending from MB Road to Haryana border was dense carpeted last in 2000 and is in a very bad condition.

source >> IndiaTimes

New Delhi: The Delhi Government presented its Budget for 2008-09 which emphasizes on improving the capital's infrastructure.

The Budget was presented by Finance Minister AK Walia in the Assembly who allocated Rs 1,189 crore for the development of infrastructure related to Commonwealth Games which is head in the capital.

A state-of-the-art Games Village is being built along the east bank of the Yamuna River by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) .

A new indoor stadium will be constructed for Commonwealth Games and the existing ones will be repaired.

The stadiums which will host the different games include Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Major Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium complex,Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range,Talkatora Indoor Stadium, Tyagaraj Sports Complex, Siri Fort Sports Complex, , RK Khanna Tennis Complex,Yamuna Sports Complex, Delhi University and the SPM Swimming Pool Complex.

Many new flyovers are also being constructed for the 2010 Commonwealth Games along with the expedition of the work related to Delhi Metro.

New Delhi: Yet another Commonwealth Games 2010 project has hit a bureaucratic roadblock. The environment department of Delhi government is yet to give the green signal to MCD to widen the road leading to Karni Singh shooting range. And while the project has been stuck for over six months, the government is now thinking of making the road one-way, at least for the duration of the Games.

While the civic agency claims that the road is too narrow and needs to be widened to ease traffic problems — especially since it is in the border area — the environment department has refused permission as widening the road would require cutting of over 400 trees. Besides, the area is part of the southern ridge and therefore widening will not be possible.

Said standing committee chairman Vijender Gupta: ‘‘I inspected the site two weeks ago and noticed traffic jams as the road is narrow. Since the road leads to a Games venue, widening is necessary. Moreover, the road is near the border and witnesses heavy traffic volume daily.’’ Around Rs 1.5 crore is being spent on strengthening and improving the road.
Added Gupta: ‘‘If we are spending money, we should try resolving the problem long-term। The problem of traffic congestion will remain after the Games if the road is not widened, once it becomes two-way again. We are supposed to meet chief secretary Rakesh Mehta on this issue.’’ The road extending from MB Road to Haryana border was dense carpeted last in 2000 and is in a very bad condition.

source >> The Times of India

New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) Taking note of terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan, Delhi Police Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal Tuesday said his force would provide full security to Commonwealth Games scheduled in the national capital.

'We will provide fool proof security for both the events in the capital. We are very alert and will be taking all precautionary measures required,' Dadwal said.

The city police chief said they are also adopting a 'multi-pronged' strategy to ensure incident-free Lok Sabha polls in the national capital.

'We will implement all laws and regulations very strictly. We will act against bad characters and troublemakers. We will ensure that the code of conduct is enforced,' he added.

The Commonwealth Games 2010 Opening Ceremony will be held on 3rd October at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. This opening ceremony will include many events as follows.

There will be a single flag bearer that will lead the parade of the participating nations in the opening ceremony.

In the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2010, marching event will form an important part. The participating nations will join the marching event according to the alphabetical order.

According to the protocol, the host nation of the previous Commonwealth Game 2006 Australia will lead the marching event, whereas the present host nation India will be the last. Also India's national anthem Jana Mana Gana will be played at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

According to the protocol of the Commonwealth Games, the last and final carrier of the baton will be a well-known personality from the sports arena, from India, the host country.

There will be a lot of musical extravaganza consisting many Indian and foreign artists. There will be also a lot of fireworks. Many celebrities from sports, bollywood and politics will address the gathering people and athletes. The event will be inaugurated with the presence of President of Indian Olympic Association.

Shera has been chosen as the official mascot of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Shera is a Royal Bengal Tigre claded with white sporting jersey and blue track paints. The Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal of India. It is also an endangered species because of its vulnerability to habitat loss, poaching and environmental degradation.

New Delhi (PTI): The government in its interim budget for 2009-10 on Monday allocated a sum of Rs 964.42 crore for the 2010 Commonwealth Games scheduled in the capital.

The budgetary allocation would cover stadia renovation, players' training and upgradation venues, among other things.

A total outlay of Rs 1,764 crore has been allotted this year for sports and youth affairs, compared to Rs 1,593 in 2008-09.

Of the Rs 1,764 crore, Rs 1,490 has been earmarked as plan expenditure, while the rest is non-plan expenditure.

Of the total amount allocated for 2010 Games, Rs 600 crore has been earmarked for Sports Authority of India's stadia renovation alone, while Rs 100 crore has been allotted for preparation of teams.

Rs 60 crore has been allocated for upgradation/creation of venues while Rs 194.42 crore has been approved for overlays at SAI, All India Tennis Association and the Indian Olympic Association.

Apart from the amount earmarked for the 2010 Games, the government has also allotted Rs 16.75 crore for strengthening anti-doping measures.

These are traffic signals with brains. They take a volume count of the number of vehicles at an intersection and automatically adjust the available green signal time on the basis of changing traffic demand. And the good news is that Intelligent Traffic Signals (ITS) are going to become a reality in the Capital before the Commonwealth Games 2010.

The system has been designed to optimize utilisation of road space and enable maximum number of vehicles to cross a selected stretch with minimum stoppage at intersections. The traffic police feel it is the solution to Delhi’s congestion. ‘‘Through ITS, it is possible to reduce congestion levels in the selected area. It is being implemented on all routes leading to the Games sites before 2010 and will later be extended to other parts of the city,’’ said S N Shrivastava, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

The existing signalling system works on cycles, where fixed time frames are pre-set for change of signals irrespective of real-time assessment of traffic. Experts also feel that ITS will ease congestion. By 2010, the plan is to have ITS on all 87 corridors across 210 kms which will be used by players and officials. The scheme will cover 302 intersections in all.

The traffic police are in the process of finalising the technology. For this, presentations have been scheduled with each of the 21 companies which had participated in a global Expression of Interest (EoI) floated by the traffic police last year. A consultant — a JV of RITES and a German firm — has been roped in to help in selecting the best available technology and the bidding process.

Dec 21: The government has issued guidelines for the venue owners of the 2010 Commonwealth Games to take all possible security steps, including police verification of the workers, for safe conduct of the international sport extravaganza.

"Accordingly, steps have been taken by venue owners on police verification of the workers, perimeter security, access control
etc," a Home Ministry official said.

The construction plans for all venues, including the Commonwealth Games village, are being vetted by Delhi Police for security point of view.

The Home Ministry has already sanctioned Rs 78.26 crore to the Delhi Police to procure additional security equipment and vehicles to be required during the Commonwealth Games.

The fund would be spent to purchase equipment like X-Ray scanners, Door Frame Metal Detectors, Hand Held Metal Detectors, vehicles and communication equipment among others.

A major upgradation of the police control room has also been undertaken and 130 additional vehicles have been sanctioned for the police control room by the government.

"There is an extensive plan to install CCTV cameras in three phases all over the city," the official said.

Besides, the government has already sanctioned 12,612 posts to Delhi Police out of which 8,213 posts have been filled up specifically to strengthen security arrangements for the 2010 Games.

The Delhi Police is also having regular meetings with neighbouring states -- Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan -- to ensure close security coordination as a large number of foreigners coming to attend the Commonwealth Games would be visiting important tourist sites of these states, sources said.

An Empowered Security Committee headed by Union Home Secretary and a Commonwealth Games Security Review Committee headed by Additional Secretary have been constituted in the Home Ministry to review the security arrangement for the Games.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in Delhi between October 3 and 14, 2010.

This will be the largest multi-sport event conducted to date in Delhi and India generally, which has previously hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.

This is the first time the Commonwealth Games will be held in India, which will be the third developing country to host the event -- after Jamaica in 1966 and Malaysia in 1998. This is the second time the event has been held in Asia, after 1998.

New Delhi, Dec 27 - The 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Committee will unveil the logo of the Games on Jan 6 and there will also be a '2010 Countdown Run' as the XIX Commonwealth Games will be 1,000 days off from that day.

The Coundown Run, which will start at 3 p.m. from Vijay Chowk, Rajpath, will culminate at the India Gate with the unveiling of the logo and it will be led by over 1,000 sportspersons of the country including champion shooter Manavjeet Singh Sandhu, Olypmic medallist Karnam Malleswari, Olympian Milkha Singh, P.T. Usha, Shiny Abraham, Dola Banerjee, Dinko Singh, Phulela Gopichand, Mangte C. Marykom among others.

Announcing this, Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi said here Thursday that the logo launch would not only kick start the countdown but also state that Delhi is getting ready for the Games.