Commonwealth Games Delhi India 2010 Commonwealth Games India

Indian men's 4X100m freestyle relay team in final

2010-10-04T02:02:00.000-07:00

Led by India's biggest hope in swimming -- Virdhawal Khade, the India quartet clocked 3:28.06 to make a cut for the final of the Men's 4x100m Freestyle relay, after they finished sixth in their event at SPM Aquatics Complex in New Delhi on Monday.
The other three members of the team are Aaron Dsouza, Arjun Jayaprakash and Anshul Kothari.
India could make their presence felt in two more categories, even as most of them failed to advance further.
In men's 50m backstroke, Badrinath Melkote clocked 27.52 to qualify for the semifinals, while Subha Chittaranjan clocked 29.96 to enter the last four stage in women's 50m butterfly.
However, India put up a disappointing show in all other categories, including women's 200m freestyle, men's 400m freestyle, women's 200m individual medley, men's 200m butterfly, women's 50m breaststroke, as none of the swimmers could qualify in these events.
Meanwhile, a formidable Australian team, followed by England and Canada have already established their dominance in the pool.

Commonwealth Games Opening ceremony

2010-10-04T01:56:00.000-07:00

Fennell checks out CWG Village, England athletes arrive

2010-09-25T03:39:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI: Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell on Friday inspected the Commonwealth Games Village and said "considerable improvements" have been made there even as embattled organisers continued their sprint against time to complete preparations for the October 3-14 event.

"It is good to be in Delhi, and the briefing I received from my CEO, Mike Hooper, last night, was that considerable improvements have been made within the Village, with further significant resources deployed by Delhi Chief Minister, Mrs Dikshit, to make good what was a concerning situation," Fennell said in a statement.

Fennell, accompanied by Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, secretary general Randhir Singh CGF CEO Mike Hooper, took stock of the arrangements at the athletes Village, which was dubbed "filthy and uninhabitable" by visiting international delegates a couple of days ago.

His statement came even as the first batch of 22 English athletes landed in the capital but headed to hotels instead of the Village as their living area is still not ready.

The CGF boss, who was unimpressed with the pace of the work and even shot off a letter to the Cabinet Secretary a few days ago, also briefed the delegates about the work.

Fennell will meet Cabinet Secretary, KM Chandrasekhar this afternoon.

"I am looking forward to spending the morning with my colleagues from the Commonwealth Games movement and evaluating the situation with all the key stakeholders," Fennell said.

"I am certainly pleased to arrive in Delhi with the news that Australia has moved into the Village to get ready for the arrival of their athletes, and with the confirmation late yesterday that England and Wales will be on their way to Delhi shortly.

"Already so many athletes from around the Commonwealth have started their journey to Delhi. Our job across the next week is to help ensure that all the corrective work is completed in good time," he added.

Fennell said the organisers have to provide a good environment for the visiting athletes and officials.

"We must ensure that a suitable environment is provided to ensure the welfare of the athletes and their support staff.

"It is vital that all remedial work that has already started continues with the greatest urgency," Fennell said.

However, the grim build-up to the Games continued with four top British cyclists, including world champion Welshman Geraint Thomas, pulling out of the event along with New Zealand's Greg Henderson.

The New Zealand delegation will take another 24 hours before deciding whether to compete at the event.

Read more: Fennell checks out CWG Village, England athletes arrive - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/commonwealth-games/top-stories/Fennell-checks-out-CWG-Village-England-athletes-arrive/articleshow/6618906.cms#ixzz10XKjVerL

Malaysian delegation arrives in New Delhi to assess CWG state of affairs

2010-09-25T03:38:00.001-07:00

New Delhi, Sep. 25 (ANI): A 15-member delegation from Malaysia arrived here to assess the state of affairs just one week before the opening of the Commonwealth Games 2010.

The Malaysian delegation accompanied by two security officials will visit all the stadiums to assess the situation.

The delegation will leave on Monday. A total of 203 Malaysian athletes will be visiting India to participate in the Commonwealth Games.

The athletes will compete for medals in aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, rugby sevens, table tennis, shooting, squash and weightlifting.

Several other countries had raised concern over the preparedness of the venues after reports of hygiene issues, dengue fever outbreak and security incidents in the lead up to the event which is scheduled to begin in nine days.

India is scrambling against the clock to clean up the games venues.

Meanwhile, authorities tightened the security cover around the Games venues on Friday by deploying thousands of security personnel as athletes from various countries start trooping in for the embattled Games.

Paramilitary troops and heavily armed commandos had cast a tight security net around the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, where the opening and closing ceremony would be held for the October 3-14 Games. (ANI)

Commonwealth Games Village unliveable, complain four countries

2010-09-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI: Amid all the gloom about chaotic preparations for the Commonwealth Games, there was at least one silver lining: the widespread applause for the "world class" Games Village at its soft launch on September 16. Unfortunately, the Organising Committee has run into a rude reality check even on this front.

New Zealand, Canada, Scotland and Ireland have objected strongly to the condition of the accommodation given to them, say highly placed sources. The reason - lack of maintenance of apartments in the towers allotted to these teams and their abysmal, "unliveable" condition, say team delegates. Toilets in particular are said to be in a "mess".

Sources said the apartments, which are left unlocked through the day and night, were found to be dirty. In some flats, labourers had defecated. In others, fixtures and other facilities were still to be provided. Though athletes are to start moving in after September 23, work in just 18 of the 34 towers is said to be complete. The advance teams are reportedly of the view that the remaining work is not likely to get over for weeks.

The delegates are learnt to have told the OC that unless the apartments are set right, their teams should be put up in a Games Family hotel - the Ashoka or Janpath - or some other accommodation. This could add to the OC's logistical problems.

1. Condition of Games Village has prompted delegates from New Zealand, Canada, Scotland and Ireland to issue ultimatum to OC

2. Apartments in towers allotted to these countries, especially Kiwis, filthy.

4. Site workers have been using the unlocked flats.

5. Toilets are stained, fixtures haven't been installed, don't work or are broken

6. Size of contingent: Canada 400, New Zealand 325, Scotland 300

7. Those happy with Village: Australia, England

source >> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/commonwealth-games/top-stories/Commonwealth-Games-Village-unliveable-complain-four-countries/articleshow/6595540.cms

Fennell inspects Commonwealth Games venues

2010-09-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell Wednesday embarked on a whirlwind tour of the stadiums and Commonwealth Games village here as part of his two-day visit to monitor the preparedness for the Oct 3-14 Games.

Fennell’s visit comes at a time when the Commonwealth Games are embroiled in controversies ranging from financial irregularities, unpreparedness and sub-standard quality of work in Games projects.

The Jamaican, who arrived in India Tuesday night, went around the city checking out the facilities at the stadiums. He was accompanied by CGF chief executive Mike Hooper, Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) vice-chairman Randhir Singh and secretary general Lalit Bhanot.

Fennell began his day visiting the Thyagaraj Stadium at 9 a.m and then went on to see Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Indira Gandhi Complex, Games Village and Yamuna Sports Complex.

He will also be visiting Delhi University’s Rugby Stadium, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex, Talkatora Stadium, Siri Fort Stadium and R.K. Khanna Stadium to complete his day.

Fennell will visit the two shooting ranges — Karni Singh and Kadarpur — Thursday.

The CGF president is also expected to have a series of meetings with government officials, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, and Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy, who is the heading the Group of Ministers overseeing the preparations of the Games.

He is also expected to address the Organising Committee executive board.

Before Fennell’s ongoing tour, Randhir and Bhanot made a round of all the facilities except the Kadarpur Shooting Range following the uproar over their unpreparedness.

Final touches are still to be given to the venues and garbage and construction materials are littered all over the stadiums.

The CGOC top brass, after their four-day tour of the venues, said they have scanned through the minute details related to the finishing touches and overlays and they appeared satisfactory.

The CGOC gave Aug 25 as the deadline when all the venues will be completely ready while the Games Village will be thrown open Sep 16 when foreign delegates will start arriving.

source >> http://www.thelatestnews.in/fennell-inspects-commonwealth-games-venues/41091.html

Commonwealth Games 2010: Delhi working through the night to beat deadline

2010-09-17T01:50:00.000-07:00

With only 15 days to go until the start of the Commonwealth Games, the Indian capital is in a frantic rush to be ready for its big opening night.

"My motto is 'Not tomorrow, today. Not today, now'," said Lalit Bhanot, the hard-pressed secretary general of the Games organizing committee.

"There is absolutely no time to waste. We know it will be hectic. We have to work day and night and I am fully aware that from now until the end of the Games there is no holiday and no day off or night off."

After months of delays and missed construction deadlines, Delhi now has a deadline that cannot be moved. On Oct 3, the Prince of Wales will open proceedings at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium before competition gets under way the following day.

One can only assume that the area around the stadium, currently an expanse of monsoon-soaked mud, will have been landscaped by then and that the sound of hammering and sawing that reverberated during a media open day this week will have ceased.

Comically, while officials gave interviews at the stadium about the completion of the refurbishment work, a painter was perched above them whitewashing the ceiling.

It was a similar story when the Mukherjee swimming complex opened its doors last Sunday. Although the competition area was to all intents and purposes complete, the 10-metre diving platform still needed surfacing, while the warm-up area was being repainted and retiled.

At the Siri Fort sports complex, which will stage the badminton and squash competitions, the gleaming interior was in marked contrast to the scene outside – a temporary slum for the hundreds of migrant labourers laying paving slabs and painting kerb stones.

Bhanot insists that such landscaping is a straightforward job that will be completed within a few days. What he has no jurisdiction over is the "beautification" of central Delhi – a government project of far greater scale in which miles of roads and pavements are still in the process of being relaid in readiness for the Games.

"I feel it is going to be complete very shortly," said Bhanot. "Maybe after one week, maybe after 10 days.

"By the time the athletes start arriving, you will find everything in order. I tell all my competition staff and organising committee staff that the government will complete their work and all the work will be completed on time. There should be no doubt at all."

The lateness of the preparations has turned what should have been a celebration for Delhi and India into a public relations disaster at home. Local press coverage is unremittingly negative.

But not all of the carping is fair. Final preparations may be behind the clock but the Games have already brought the city a magnificent new airport terminal, a state-of-the-art metro system and new roads and flyovers to improve the flow of Delhi's notoriously clogged traffic.

And, external landscaping apart, the new stadiums are of undeniably world-class standard. The Thyagaraj sports complex, where netball will take place, and the Talkatora indoor stadium, which will stage boxing, are both gems, while the velodrome at the Indira Gandhi sports complex is rated by cycling's world governing body as second only to the Beijing velodrome in terms of build quality. What a shame neither Sir Chris Hoy nor Victoria Pendleton will be there to enjoy it.

But the fact that none of the venues received its building completion certificate until Sept 6 has frayed the nerves of the organising committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation. The CGF had warned it would not allow competitions to go ahead without the proper approvals.

"If they'd got the certificates six months ago, life would have been a lot less stressed," said Mike Hooper, the CGF chief executive.

"There's no denying that, being so late, it has impacted on other operational areas, which means there is a lot of work to be done by a lot of people in the coming days.

"Delhi Police very publicly said that, ideally, they would have liked a month to get in the venues to do what they need to do. They haven't. They've got less than that.

"The same goes for the organising committee in terms of making the venues operational in relation to the delivery of sport. It's all very well having spanking new buildings that they got the keys to on Sept 6, but on Oct 3 they've got to play sport in them."

The CGF would be entitled to say "we told you so". As far back as October last year, CGF president Michael Fennell warned the Delhi organisers that "time is your enemy" as schedules started to slip.

But Hooper insists that now is not the time to criticise or apportion blame. There are more important priorities.

"I'm not interested in pointing fingers and saying, 'He should have done this' or 'This should have been done sooner'," said Hooper. "Of course there have been delays. We don't need reminding of that. We've been saying it for the last two years. But we are where we are. The glass is half full. Let's focus on getting it filled up and getting all the work done."

Delhi by numbers

14 million people live in Delhi

190,000 kilometres will be covered by the Queen's Baton Relay

80,000 Delhi police officers will be on duty

6,500 athletes are expected, the most ever for a Commonwealth Games

2,000 CCTV cameras have been installed

700 pounds for a top-priced Opening Ceremony ticket

371 English athletes will be in action

103 Indian athletes have failed drug tests this year

71 nations will take part in the Games

70 pence to watch any first-round lawn bowls match

36 gold medals were won by English athletes in Melbourne four years ago

17 sports will be contested

14 pounds for the cheapest Opening Ceremony ticket

11 venues have either been built from scratch or refurbished

2010 Commonwealth Games: Pendleton pulls out of event

2010-07-19T23:47:00.000-07:00

Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton has told BBC Sport she will miss the Commonwealth Games in Delhi to focus on October's European Championships.

The 29-year-old's decision mirrors Sir Chris Hoy, who pulled out of the 2010 Games on Friday because of the clash.

The European event will count as a qualifier for the 2012 Olympics and Beijing sprint gold medallist Pendleton said London remains her main focus.

"It's a no-brainer, points for Olympics qualification are on offer," she added.

"Unfortunately you are not going to jeopardise going to the London Olympics, so we have to go to the Europeans.

"It's really unfortunate we can't do both competitions and support the Commonwealth Games."

We have been put in a situation where the European Championships clash and we can't ignore an opportunity to gain points for the Olympics

Victoria Pendleton

And British cycling chief Dave Brailsford believes other cyclists will continue to prioritise those events offering qualification points for the Olympic Games.

"Those who have clear Olympic ambitions have to prioritise: is it the Commonwealth Games or is it Olympic points and those who want to compete in the home Games in London will 100% go for the Olympic points," he told BBC 5 Live.

"Their thinking is that they would like to get as many points on the board as early as possible. They don't want to end up running into the 2012 Games looking at preparation periods being compromised by having to chase points to qualify.

"It's a very tough decision but ultimately they have gone for the Olympic qualification points considering that is what their careers are based around."

The first senior European Championships - an event formerly restricted to riders under the age of 23 - takes place from 5-7 November.

Pendleton disappointed to miss Commonwealths

However, the competition has suddenly become more significant for Britain's top riders because of the changes agreed by the International Cycling Union (UCI), with results counting towards qualification for London 2012.

The quest for an Olympic place began after March's World Championships in Copenhagen and will run until the Track World Championships in Melbourne in 2012.

Four-time Olympic champion Hoy said the Olympics must "take precedence over everything" following Friday's decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games.

And Pendleton, the defending sprint champion having won gold at Melbourne in 2006, said she had little choice but to miss the Delhi Games.

"The Commonwealths have been a really important competition in the schedule just one below the Olympics," stated Pendleton.

"But if you can't qualify for the Olympics, then it puts us in an awful situation.

606: DEBATE
The Commonwealth Games is a nice event, but lets be honest it is to the Olympics what the Champions League is to the Europa League in football

Sgyrsiau Sbwriel

"I'm really disappointed that I can't support India in their Games as it's somewhere I really want to visit.

"But we have been put in a situation where the European Championships clash and we can't ignore an opportunity to gain points for the Olympics."

A venue for the European championships has yet to be confirmed but the competition will limit the number of riders to one from each country per event, along with the number of European teams allowed to race in the team sprint.

Pendleton compared the changes - which will be in place for London 2012 - with Jamaica choosing between sprinters Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell for their athletics team.

source >> http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/8835499.stm

The Commonwealth Games in Delhi come at a high price for the poor

2010-07-19T23:45:00.001-07:00

An estimated 140,000 families will be evicted to clear space for lavish facilities in Delhi that offer no lasting benefits

As we await the start of another great carnival of sport, uneasily suppressing our reservations about the possible benefits – or the lack thereof – to the great majority of the South African people from the 2010 World Cup, news arrives of a disturbing report into the next such event, also taking place in a corner of the former British Empire where the desperately poor vastly outnumber even the modestly affluent.

The Commonwealth Games, which begin in Delhi on 3 October, are already surrounded by concerns over security. Far more worrying than the possible threat to a few thousand privileged visiting foreigners, however, is a new report by the Housing and Land Network, an arm of the global movement Habitat International Coalition, suggesting that by the time the Games begin about 140,000 families will have been evicted from their homes to clear the space for the lavish facilities now compulsory for such events.

For 100,000 of those families, it is already too late. They have been moved out of their shanty towns and "resettled", a word which has a deceptively comforting sound. Usually the policy's victims find themselves relocated to distant places where the prospects of work are even more remote and there are no schools for their children. It is anticipated that a further 40,000 families will soon share this experience in order to allow athletes to demonstrate their prowess and commercial sponsors to advertise their wares to a worldwide audience.

Miloon Kothari, a former United Nations human rights expert, wrote the report and also discovered that "tens of millions of dollars" originally intended to fight poverty in Delhi have instead been used to fund the Games, whose budget is now around 20 times its original estimate, making the fourfold rise in the London 2012 budget seem almost like good housekeeping.

Back in January it was suggested by Kothari that the Indian government needed to be held accountable for "persistent human rights violations against the homeless" and "a clear violation of [its] commitments under constitutional and international law" to provide for its poor. Now the opportunity to present Delhi as a "world city" and to make money for those with their fingers in the pie appears to be taking precedence over such commitments, as it seems to have done in South Africa, where the "people's game" will be out of the reach of all but a tiny minority of the actual people.

Corruption and the immoral misallocation of resources are more easily spotted in developing countries, partly because that is what we expect to find. In the developed world we are less blatant in our venality – not least because of our inquisitive media. When we pander to sponsors' needs, whether they be soft-drinks manufacturers or television networks, the collateral damage is less obvious. But it is still present in the skewing of priorities and the tacit expectation that a good party will make people forget the problems undermining their society, such as the ever-widening gap between rich and poor.

Those making the decision to hand a sporting event of global significance to a developing nation are not always entirely devoid of decent motives. But the downside, for the voiceless majority, is too great to be tolerated. The XIX Commonwealth Games will not significantly advance Delhi's progress towards membership of an international community. Instead it will increase the prosperity of a handful of globalised "partners", make a few already prosperous people even richer, and leave behind a few very costly facilities for elite sport, to be stared at by those whose homes and lives were destroyed to make it all possible.

Perhaps the time has come to stand back and think about where the recent explosion in festivals of sport has led us. Given that a decision to restrict the hosting of all such events to countries with existing facilities would be unacceptably discriminatory, a 20-year moratorium on all such events, until the world sorts out its finances and its priorities, might not be such a bad idea.
Holding fast to a uniquely pleasing rhythm

It was my good fortune to see Anderson Roberts and Michael Holding bowl in tandem in the 1970s but an abiding memory comes from an afternoon several years after their retirement, when they strode together into the pavilion of Melbourne Cricket Club in Kingston, Holding's home club, still enveloped in the sort of aura with which they struck fear into batsmen's hearts. It was like watching Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday entering a Tombstone bar, or Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker walking into a 52nd Street club.

Fast bowlers are quite a lot like jazz musicians. They all do the same thing, more or less, but each one has his own signature, immediately recognisable from beyond the boundary, created by the combination of physique, run-up, delivery and follow-through. An assertion that Holding was the greatest of all would draw fire from admirers of Harold Larwood, Dennis Lillee and others but he was without question the most aesthetically pleasing.

Fast bowlers' autobiographies seldom amount to much but No Holding Back, the great Jamaican's new effort, published this week, is substantial enough to remind us that he has also become one of the game's better television commentators. He is modest enough not to mention the bass-heavy 1976 reggae classic in which Prince Far I celebrated "the 'eavy, 'eavy bowlin' of a man called Michael Holding". If it's not in your collection, hear it on YouTube.
Diarra's drive to succeed ends in disappointment

Spare a thought for Lassana Diarra, who moved from Arsenal to Portsmouth looking for the first-team exposure that would secure him a place in his country's World Cup squad. A courageous decision worked out so well that Diarra won not only the approval of the eccentric Raymond Domenech but a big move to Real Madrid. At the weekend, however, the news emerged from France's training camp that a genetic disorder of the red blood cells, causing chronic fatigue, will prevent his participation in South Africa.

source >> http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/may/25/commonwealth-games-delhi

Gill inaugurates swimming pool complex for Commonwealth Games

2010-07-19T23:42:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, July 18(ANI): Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister M. S. Gill on Sunday inaugurated the ‘remodelled and reconstructed’ Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex, one of the venues for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, at the Delhi University campus.

The function was held in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi, several sports persons and senior Sports Ministry officials.

“This is an outstanding complex and a remarkable engineering marvel. It is equipped with all the modern facilities even better than the Melbourne Games,” Gill said.

The complex, which was constructed in 1982 to hold the Asian Games, has been upgraded and renovated with state of art facilities to meet the international standards required for hosting world-class aquatic events.

With a total seating capacity of 5000 spectators, the complex now has the largest cohestrand supported, breathable and elliptical shaped aluminum roof.

It is the largest covered aquatic stadium in the country having Olympic-sized racing and diving pools with a six lanes warm up pool.

The 12-day sporting extravaganza will be India’s biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. (ANI

Commonwealth Games to do without world’s fastest man

2010-07-19T23:37:00.000-07:00

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Sprint superstar Usain Bolt will miss this year’s Commonwealth Games in India, his coach Glen Mills has confirmed.

Organisers were hoping the World record holder in the 100 and 200 metres would show up for the October 3-14 Games scheduled for Delhi, but the latest announcement is sure to be a huge blow.

“Bolt made it known long ago that he is not going to the Commonwealth Games,” Mills said.

Bolt’s absence is expected to allow him to continue his preparation for the London 2012 Olympics where he will defend his sprint titles in the 100 and 200 metres.

Before that, the 23-year-old will also defend both sprint titles at next year’s World Championship in Daegu, South Korea.

It will be the second successive time Bolt has missed the Commonwealth Games after pulling out of the 2006 edition in Melbourne because of injury.

He will also be a no-show at the Jamaica National Championships next weekend, another meet Mills said the Jamaican was never carded to attend.

“He was never down to run at trials,” Mills said.

Bolt is currently on the mend from an Achilles tendon injury which forced him out of the last IAAF Diamond League event in New York.

He has already shown glimpses of his ominous form this year, posting 19.56 seconds in the 200 metres in Jamaica g earlier this month before returning to run 9.86 seconds in the 100 metres in Daegu.

source>> http://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/sports/06/21/commonwealth-games-to-do-without-world%E2%80%99s-fastest-man/

10,000 school guides for Commonwealth Games

2010-02-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

The Delhi Government will provide 10,000 school guides for the inaugural ceremony of the Commonwealth Games come October, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit announced on Friday at the inauguration of the wrestling training venue for the Games at Ludlow Castle Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya near Kashmere Gate here.

She also announced that the demand for another 50,000 volunteers made by the Indian Olympic Association would be met in a phased manner.

The Chief Minister said all projects related to the sporting event would be completed well in time and funds would not be a problem as an additional Rs.1,300 crore has already been made available under the Plan outlay for the current year.

Ms. Dikshit said construction of both Thyagraj and Chhatrasal stadiums was also going on in full swing and they are expected to be completed in March.

Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi appreciated the pace of construction of the Games-related project and expressed confidence that they would all be completed within the stipulated time.

He said by organising the Commonwealth Games successfully, India would get an opportunity to lay its claim on hosting the Olympics.

Indian shooters hire coach, pay him from own pocket

2010-01-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

The men's hockey team showed the way a few weeks ago and the women followed in their footsteps. Now, the shooters have got officialdom in their sights and are proving that where there is a will, there is indeed a way

The latest message, this time to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), comes from six top pistol shooters who've hired a foreign coach to train them at the national camp.

With NRAI unable to recruit a coach to replace Hungarian Czaba Gyorik who left after the Beijing Olympics, the shooters have availed of the services of a top coach, with each spending around Rs 50,000 a month.

"How long should we wait? The authorities can take their own time but the competition dates won't change. Now, we're spending from our pockets to pay renowned coach Anatoli Poddubni of Ukraine for his expertise," Samaresh Jung, nicknamed 'Goldfinger' for his medal haul in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, told TOI.

English Commonwealth Games officials dismissed reports of pulling out of 2010 CWG

2010-01-14T11:16:00.000-08:00

The England’s Commonwealth Games officials dismissed any reports on Wednesday that England are all set to pull out of 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. The London officials said that no such move is planned in them and a team from England will definitely travel to India for participation.

A report in The Daily Telegraph (Egland) on Tuesday claimed that “England is poised to pull out of next year’s Commonwealth Games over fears that athletes will be victims of a terrorist attack.”

The newspaper report also claimed that Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson visited New Delhi this month for inspecting the Games sites and he was said to have voiced “serious concerns” about the security arrangements for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

T&T interested in Commonwealth Games bid

2009-12-21T04:42:00.000-08:00

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/

Group of Ministers, core committee meets to review 2010 Commonwealth Games

2009-12-21T04:40:00.000-08:00

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

Delhi’s Commonwealth Games gets extra funding

2009-11-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

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.

Host Nations of Commonwealth Games

2009-11-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

YEAR	NATIONS
1930	Hamilton, Canada
1934	London, England
1938	Sydney, Australia
1950	Auckland, NewZealand
1954	Vancouver, Canada
1958	Cardiff, Wales
1962	Perth, Australia
1966	Kingston, Jamaica
1970	Edinburgh, Scotland
1974	Christchurch, NewZealand
1978	Edmonton, Canada
1982	Brisbane, Australia
1986	Edinburgh, Scotland
1990	Auckland, Newzealand
1994	Victoria, Canada
1998	Kaulalampur, Malaysia
2002	Manchester, England
2006	Melbourne, Australia
2010	New Delhi, India

Mahindra to add 1,000 more holiday homes

2009-10-07T08:57:00.001-07:00

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

Gold Coast To Bid For 2018 Commonwealth Games

2009-10-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

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

Commonwealth Games venues to be ready by Dec

2009-08-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

SURESH KALMADI, the chief of New Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010 moved to combat the criticism caused by the delay in construction of the Commonwealth Games venues and cost overruns, by promising to complete all projects by the December 2009.

While speaking to the media, Kalmadi said, “I’m confident that all New Delhi venues will be ready by the end of December.” He further added, “I assure you venues will be ready. They’ll be then put through test events and all problems sorted out six months before the Commonwealth Games are to take place.”

The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi from between October 3-14, 2010. While speaking, Kalmadi was found very exciting. “These games will showcase India to the world,” he added. His enthusiasm was so high that he promised to overtake 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth.

After the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had expressed its anguish over the delay of work on Games infrastructure three months ago, Kalmadi admitted that the delay was caused primarily due to the escalating price of construction materials like steel and cement. But he also assured that the condition was successfully handled.

Kalmadi is also the president of the Indian Olympic Association. After Kuala Lumpur organised the Commonwealth Games in 1998, New Delhi is the second Asian city to host the Games. It would be the second major sports event in India after the 1982 Asian Games.

Mohinder Singh Gill, the Sports Minister of India also confirmed that the construction work would be closely monitored to meet the proposed deadline. He said, “While there is a lot to be done, I’m sure we’ll be ready in time. We’ll be ready, just like an Indian marriage where things look chaotic but eventually things happen smoothly.”

Kalmadi said the Queen’s Baton relay would start from London in the first week of November and travel to 71 Commonwealth nations and territories before arriving in New Delhi. He also declared that Queen Elizabeth II would present the baton to an Indian athlete at Buckingham Place, from where the relay would go to all Commonwealth countries and territories. The baton would visit every state in India too.

2010 Commonwealth Games Medal Events Programme Released

2009-07-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

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

Delhi clears Rs.4 bn beautification projects for commonwealth games

2009-07-27T23:17:00.000-07:00

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

Delhi toes Beijing line, eco-friendly buses to ferry Games athletes

2009-06-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

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

Smaller Firefighting Vehicles for 2010 Games

2009-06-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

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.

India working for secure 2010 Commonwealth Games

2009-05-20T23:23:00.000-07:00

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.

"We have to satisfy the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on the security aspect and I am confident we can do that," organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi told local media.

"Security is a very important aspect of the Games and we need to have more communication with the CGF on that."

Security concerns in South Asia have grown after 166 people were killed in militant attacks in Mumbai last November, and gunmen ambushed the bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan in March.

Seven Sri Lankan cricketers were injured in the incident, forcing the International Cricket Council to abandon plans to hold a part of the 2011 World Cup in Pakistan.

The CGF and Indian organisers have said that security for the Commonwealth Games, featuring athletes from 71 nations and territories of the former British Empire, will be on par with last year's Beijing Olympics.

"The CGF had sent a couple of delegates to check on the security," said Kalmadi. "They have given a report for us to follow up on.

"The scenario in all our neighbouring countries also worries them, so we have to give them a lot of comfort on security."

Organisers are looking at the October 3-14 Games next year to showcase their ability to stage major sporting events with an eye on hosting the Olympics by 2020.

Kalmadi admitted there were minor delays in construction of two venues, but promised to have all infrastructure ready six months ahead of the event.

"It took us a while to procure mandatory approval for some infrastructure projects," he said. "That led to a delayed start, but we have now managed to catch up and most venues will be ready in time for the Games."

Kalmadi said the CGF executive board were satisfied with the progress during a visit to New Delhi earlier this month.

"The CGF executive inspected the venues and expressed satisfaction with the way the infrastructure was coming up," he said.

"We need to maintain the momentum, and the organising committee will keep monitoring the execution of infrastructure contracts."

New Delhi is only the second Asian city to be awarded the Commonwealth Games. The Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur hosted the 1998 event.

Source >> http://sports.sg.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3325977

Commonwealth Games delegation arrives in New Delhi

2009-05-20T23:21:00.000-07:00

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)

MCD hits govt hurdle on road to Games site

2009-05-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

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

Delhi govt provides Rs 1,189 crore for delhi Commonwealth Games

2009-05-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

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.

MCD hits govt hurdle on road to Games site

2009-04-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

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

Full security for Commonwealth Games: Delhi police chief

2009-03-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

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.

Opening Ceremony

2009-02-28T11:45:00.000-08:00

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.

official mascot of the 2010 Commonwealth Games

2009-02-28T11:38:00.000-08:00

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.

Rs 964.42 cr allocated for Commonwealth Games 2010

2009-02-17T10:37:00.000-08:00

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.

Smart signals on road to 2010

2009-02-17T10:35:00.000-08:00

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.

Security guidelines for 2010 CWG

2009-01-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

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.

Commonwealth Games logo to be unveiled on Jan 6

2009-01-09T11:22:00.000-08:00

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.

Delhi to get longest elevated corridor for Commonwealth Games

2008-12-27T07:09:00.000-08:00

The Delhi government decided to construct a dedicated flyover, the longest in Delhi, to connect Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main venue of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and the Games Village located 5 km away.

Finance Minister Ashok Kumar Walia gave the go-head to construct a 5-km-long elevated corridor at an investment of nearly Rs.5 billion.

He said the elevated road from Sarai Kale Khan, off Nizamuddin West, to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium would facilitate the movement of 10,000 players from the Games Village to the main venue during the event.

The construction of the elevated road would be completed within 24 months, he said.

He described the project as an 'important infrastructure, which would not only prove to be beneficial during Commonwealth Games but would also become a permanent link between east, south and central Delhi'.

'It would serve as a dedicated corridor for movement of players' during the Commonwealth Games, the minister said after a meeting.

After the 2010 Games, the corridor would provide free flow of traffic for commuters, Walia said. It would also help ease traffic congestion on the Ring Road at Ashram, on Mathura Road and other arterial roads.

'Increase in average travel speed will reduce fuel consumption, pollution and loss of man-hours and also reduce the maintenance cost of roads,' the minister explained.

Martha Deacon named Chef de Mission for Delhi 2010

2008-11-17T10:44:00.001-08:00

OTTAWA - Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) today announced the appointment of Martha Deacon of Cambridge, Ont. as Chef de mission for Team Canada for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held October 3-14, 2010 in Delhi, India.

Ms. Deacon has an extensive background in multi-sport games dating back to the 1991 Canada Winter Games where she served as a coach and manager in the sport of badminton. Her past international experience includes a trio of Commonwealth Games as an apprentice coach (1994) and team leader / manager (1998, 2002) in the sport of badminton. She was a member of the Canadian mission team at the 2007 Pan American Games and 2008 Olympic Summer Games in addition to serving in a team services and management role at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Oakville, Ont. native is the outgoing president of Badminton Canada and serves as a board member of the Badminton World Federation in addition to being the Chair of International Events for the Pan American Badminton Confederation.

Ms. Deacon has spent the past 24-years as a professional educator and is currently a Principal in Kitchener.

"I am truly honoured and very proud to represent Canada in such an esteemed role," said Deacon. "It is extremely exciting to be leading Games participants in achieving their own potential of excellence over the next two years, and leaving a legacy of athletic performances and strong Commonwealth relationships. I am most fortunate to have the full support of my husband and daughters, my school board and the Canadian sport community."

"Martha knows the Commonwealth Games well and we are delighted and very proud that she will be our Chef de Mission," said CGC president Dr. Andrew Pipe. "Martha is a seasoned leader with the right mix of experience and knowledge to successfully lead our team in to the complex and exciting atmosphere in Delhi. She has the requisite skills and experience to create world class performance conditions for athletes and deliver on our shared vision for the Games. Martha knows the Commonwealth Games well and we are delighted and very proud that she will be our Chef de Mission."

Deacon begins her term as Chef de Mission immediately and will meet with CGC sport staff in Ottawa to continue the Games planning and preparation processes.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES GOLD MEDALLISTS - WRESTLING

2008-10-23T02:30:00.000-07:00

Only Freestyle Wrestling has been included in the Games. The sport was not included on the programme in 1990 or 1998. The weight limits for each category have varied over the years, those stated in the tables below were those in use from 1974-94 followed by those used in 2002.

Light Flyweight (48kg)

1930 -
1934 -
1938 -
1950 -
1954 -
1958 -
1962 -
1966 -
1970 Ved Prakash IND
1974 Mitchell Kawasaki CAN
1978 Ashok Kumar IND
1982 Ram Chander Sarang IND
1986 Ron Moncur CAN
1990 not held
1994 Jacob Isaac NGR
1998 -
2002- -----------------

Flyweight (52kg)

1930 -
1934 -
1938 -
1950 Bert Harris AUS
1954 Louis Baise SAF
1958 Ian Epton SAF
1962 Mohammed Niaz PAK
1966 Mohammed Nazir PAK
1970 Sudesh Kumar IND
1974 Sudesh Kumar IND
1978 Ray Takahashi CAN
1982 Mahabir Singh IND
1986 Chris Woodcroft CAN
1990 not held
1994 Selwyn Tam CAN
1998 -
2002 --------

Bantamweight (57/55kg)

1930 James Trifunov CAN
1934 Edward Melrose SCO
1938 Ted Purcell AUS
1950 Douglas Mudgeway NZL
1954 Geoffrey Jameson AUS
1958 Mohammed Akhtar PAK
1962 Siraj ud Din PAK
1966 Bishamber Singh IND
1970 Sadar Mohammed PAK
1974 Prem Premnath IND
1978 Satbir Singh IND
1982 Brian Aspen ENG
1986 Mitch Ostberg CAN
1990 not held
1994 Robert Dawson CAN
1998 not held
2002 Krishan Kumar -IND

Featherweight (62/60kg)

1930 Clifford Chilcott CAN
1934 Robert McNab CAN
1938 Roy Purchase AUS
1950 John Armitt NZL
1954 Abraham Geldenhuys SAF
1958 Abraham Geldenhuys SAF
1962 Ala ud Din PAK
1966 Mohammed Akhtar PAK
1970 Mohammed Saeed PAK
1974 Egon Beiler CAN
1978 Egon Beiler CAN
1982 Bob Robinson CAN
1986 Paul Hughes CAN
1990 not held
1994 Marty Calder CAN
1998 not held
2002 Guivi Sissaouri

Lightweight (68/66kg)

1930 Howard Thomas CAN
1934 Richard Garrard AUS
1938 Richard Garrard AUS
1950 Richard Garrard AUS
1954 Godfrey Pienaar SAF
1958 Mohammed Ashraf PAK
1962 Mohammed Ashraf PAK
1966 Mukhtiar Singh IND
1970 Udey Chand IND
1974 Jagrup Singh IND
1978 Zsigmund Kelevitz AUS
1982 Jagminder Singh IND
1986 David McKay CAN
1990 not held
1994 Chris Wilson CAN
1998 not held
2002 -Guivi Sissaouri -CAN -60kg

Welterweight (74/74kg)

1930 Reg Priestley CAN
1934 Joseph Schleimer CAN
1938 Thomas Trevaskis AUS
1950 Henry Hudson CAN
1954 Nicholas Laubscher SAF
1958 Mohammed Bashir PAK
1962 Mohammed Bashir PAK
1966 Mohammed Bashir PAK
1970 Mukhtiar Singh IND
1974 Raghunath Pawar IND
1978 Rajinder Singh IND
1982 Rajinder Singh IND
1986 Gary Holmes CAN
1990 not held
1994 David Hohl CAN
1998 not held
2002 -Daniel Igali - CAN - 74kg

Middleweight (82/84kg)

1930 Mike Chepwick CAN
1934 Terry Evans CAN
1938 Terry Evans CAN
1950 Maurice Vachon CAN
1954 Hermanus van Zyl SAF
1958 Hermanus van Zyl SAF
1962 Mohammed Faiz PAK
1966 Mohammed Faiz PAK
1970 Harish Rajindra IND
1974 David Aspin NZL
1978 Richard Deschatelets CAN
1982 Chris Rinke CAN
1986 Chris Rinke CAN
1990 not held
1994 Justin Abdou CAN
1998 not held
2002 -Nicholas Ugoalah-CAN-84kg

Light Heavyweight (90/96kg)

1930 Bill McIntyre CAN
1934 Mick Cubbin SAF
1938 Edward Scarf AUS
1950 Patrick Morton SAF
1954 Jacob Theron SAF
1958 Jacob Theron SAF
1962 Anthony Buck ENG
1966 Robert Chamberot CAN
1970 Mohammed Faiz PAK
1974 Terry Paice CAN
1978 Stephen Danier CAN
1982 Clark Davis CAN
1986 Noel Loban ENG
1990 not held
1994 Scott Bianco CAN
1998 not held
2002 -Dean Schmeichel-CAN-96kg

Heavyweight (100kg)

1930 Earl McCready CAN
1934 Jack Knight AUS
1938 Jack Knight AUS
1950 Joseph Armstrong AUS
1954 Kenneth Richmond ENG
1958 Lila Ram IND
1962 Mohammed Niaz PAK
1966 Bhim Singh IND
1970 Edward Millard CAN
1974 Claude Pilon CAN
1978 Wyatt Wishart CAN
1982 Richard Deschatelets CAN
1986 Clark Davis CAN
1990 not held
1994 Greg Edgelow CAN
1998 -not held
2002 - NOT HELD

Super Heavyweight (130/120kg)

1970 Ikram Ilahi PAK
1974 Bill Benko CAN
1978 Robert Gibbons CAN
1982 Wyatt Wishart CAN
1986 Wayne Brightwell CAN
1990 not held
1994 Andrew Borodow CAN
1998 not held
2002 -Sing Cheema -IND -120kg

2010 Commonwealth Games

2008-10-23T02:18:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in Delhi, india between 3 October and 14 October 2010. With a population of over 15 million, Delhi is one of the largest cities in the world. This will be the largest multi-sports 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 the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi.

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).

In January 2005, the Commonwealth Games Federationvice-president Randhir Singh expressed concern that Delhi was behind schedule in forming an organising committee. On 18 January 2008, however, the Commonwealth Games Federation expressedits approval of Delhi's progress.

In addition to the Commonwealth Games, the city of Pune, Indiawill be hosting the 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games between October 12 and 18, 2008. The Youth Games will offer nine sports: athletics, badminton, boxing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Commonwealth_Games

First Commonwealth Game

2008-09-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event. organize every four years, it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth Nations. Attendance at the Commonwealth Games is typically around 5,060 athletes. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation that is responsible for the and direction of the Commonwealth Games.

The first event, is called as the British Empire Games, was held in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The name changed to British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954, to British Commonwealth Games in 1970 and assumed the current name of the Commonwealth Games in 1974.

As well as many Olympic sports, the Games also include some sports that are played mainly in Commonwealth countries, such as lawn bowls, rugby sevens and netball.

There are currently 53 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and 71 teams participate in the Games. The four constituent countries of the United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - send separate teams to the Commonwealth Games (unlike at the Olympic Games, where the United Kingdom sends a single team), and individual teams are also sent from the British Crown dependencies.

At the 1930 games, women competed in Swimming and Diving only. In 1934 women competed in some Athletics events also.