Mrs. Dikshit and Kalmadi start on ticket sales for Delhi’s leading badminton episode since 1982

Chief Minister Mrs. Shiela Dikshit & Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, today launched the sale of tickets for the Yonex-Sunrise Badminton Asia Championship to be held at the state of the art DDA Siri Fort Badminton Stadium from 12 April 2010. It is the biggest badminton competition in the Capital since the 1982 Asian Games.
Mrs. Dikshit said they was confident the event would draw full houses, since India’s own Saina Nehwal is a giant draw. “Last month, Delhi showed it loves top notch sporting events by supporting the FIH World Cup Hockey & the Commonwealth Boxing Championships. I am sure that the Badminton Asia Championships, featuring a lot of leading names, will also draw a terrific response,” they said.
Mr. Kalmadi said they expected the Badminton Asia Championship to be a roaring success. “Badminton Association of India hosted the World Junior Championship in Pune & the World Championship in Hyderabad successfully. By bringing the Asian Championship as the check event for the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, BAI has ensured that the sport stays in the public eye,” they said.
BAI President Mr. V. K. Verma pointed out that the ticket prices were pegged low. “Given the fact that the world class players will be competing for honours in the event, they have pegged the ticket prices low,” they said. “The prices range from Rs 50 to Rs 200 for the first two days, Rs 100 to Rs. 350 for the third & fourth days, Rs 150 to Rs 500 for the quafterfinals & semifinals & from Rs 300 to Rs 1500 on the final day.”
Bookmyshow.com has been identified as official ticketing agency. Tickets can be booked online by logging on to www.bookmyshow.com from 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. The agency will setup a call centre (011-39895050) & will send SMS/e-mail alerts for updates on the Championship 2010.
Tickets will also be obtainable for purchase at Café Coffee Day outlets near Siri Fort Sports Complex & across major areas in Delhi. CCD outlets at the following locations will have tickets for sale: Gargi College, Chanakyapuri, Greater Kailash I M-Block Market, Greater Kailash II M-Block Market, Lajpat Nagar, Ansal Plaza, South Extension II, Rajouri Garden, Connaught Place Inner Circle & Galleria Market (Gurgaon).

Commonwealth leader says Delhi 2010 will be twisting tip for India

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Mr. Kamlesh Sharma today said the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi is already a giant achievement & would be a greater achievement once the Games are over besides being the turning point for India as a nation.

Mr. Sharma was talking to the top brass of Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi at its headquarters after they sat through presentations about the preparations for the Games. Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, & his team updated Mr. Sharma on the progress made.

Mr. Kalmadi said it was an honour to have the Commonwealth Secrtary-General in the headquarters of the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. “I am glad you were present at the launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi in Buckingham Palace & they count on your support,” they told Mr. Sharma.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General said the Games will be a great Indian show. “I am glad I came here. Of work, three has a theoretical view that these things must be very complex but it is only when you visit a place where things are being done that the magnitude of the task hits you,” they said. “I wish you all strength & success. I am sure it will be a Games that India is going to be proud of & the Commonwealth, .”

Mr. Sharma hoped the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi would have a larger benefit to the Commonwealth societies by encouraging sports culture as a whole, not in terms of medal-winning sport but also by inspiring younger people in the villages or towns & everywhere else to take up sport. “We should make it in to a Commonwealth strength,” they said.

“I always say that it was the turning point for the Commonwealth in lots of ways when runners from the Caribbean nations beat the United States in the 100m dash – for gold medal & silver medal. This is an example of how much achievement there is inherent in our societies,” they said.