Northern Ireland delegation on reconnaissance trip to Delhi

NEW DELHI, April 7, 2010: A delegation of 10 members of the Commonwealth Games for Northern Ireland, led by Chairman Mr. Robert McVeigh and Mrs Secretary General, Terry Crothers is situated in the capital a familiarization visit of two days in the period prior to the Commonwealth Games, starting here on October 3.
McVeigh, who is a shooter and he has been in New Delhi on several occasions, expressed his confidence that the Games will be a great success. "I see the commitment of the Governments of India and New Delhi and Delhi Organising Committee to produce infrastructure and games that make the city a major player in the world of sports in the future," he said.
The delegation, which arrived here Tuesday visited the Villa game, host the 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee of Delhi and a number of facilities for the Games. Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 the President DelhiSuresh Kalmadi, MP, and other members of senior management met with the group.
The delegation includes coaches Maggie Squires (archery), 1990 discussion of the Commonwealth Games silver medalist shot and Northern Ireland Athletics High Performance Manager Jackie McKernan, Stephen Friel (Boxing), Tom Causer (badminton) three-time Commonwealth Games rider Cormac Macann (Cycling) and Lindsay Nelson (swimming).
On Thursday, the delegation will have meetings with some CGCNA functional areas of the Delhi 2010 Organising Committee.
Northern Ireland, who won two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2006, is targeting a number of disciplines for the medals. "We will have about 80 athletes in a team of 120 and look back in the best position we have done since Melbourne. And one reason is that the timing of games suits us, coming as it does towards the end of our summer, "said McVeigh.
Mr McVeigh said the Queen's Baton visit was a memorable event for Northern Ireland. "We were able to take the 2010 Queen's baton from Delhi to all parts of Northern Ireland. It came as a messenger of peace, and united the community. He was also an opportunity to promote sport in general and in Commonwealth Games in particular, "he said.