UN praise for India’s pollution monitoring system for the Games

A pollution monitoring method developed by Indian scientists has come in for praise from the United Nations as an important step to make sure tidy air in the work of the Commonwealth Games.
According to a document published in the Economic Times dated 9 May 2010, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), a specialised agency of the UN, said the Method of Air Pollution Forecasting & Research (SAFAR) will serve as an example within India, South Asia & globally.
Aimed at managing air quality, it's been developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
‘The WMO recognizes SAFAR as a very important activity in the region & will make all efforts to get international visibility for the project,’ L. Jalkanen, head of the WMO’s Atmospheric Surroundings Research Division, wrote in a letter to SAFAR project director Gurfan Beig in March.
Scientists at IITM are elated & assured that the method will help in ensuring tidy air in the work of the Games, dubbed as the first ever Green Games.
SAFAR will provide information on air quality on an every hour basis & forecast pollution levels 24 hours in advance through wireless colour digital display panels located at 11 key points in the city in the work of the Games.
Only a few developed countries have the technical know-how to make use of such a method. It was used in the work of the Olympic Games in Beijing & also at the last Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
SAFAR’s inputs will greatly help in identifying the major sources of air pollutants & recommending measures to help improve the air quality.

Hockey schedule for Delhi 2010 released

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) have released the hockey schedule for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, with seven women’s matches to kick-start the competition on 4 October.
A total of ten men’s and ten women’s teams will compete in the11-day hockey event, to be played on two pitches of the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the Indian capital, the same venue as the Hero Honda FIH World Cup in March this year.

The draw sees teams apportioned across two pools.

Men
Pool A: Australia, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Scotland.
Pool B: England, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago.

Ladies
Pool A: Australia, South Africa, India, Scotland, Trinidad & Tobago.
Pool B: England, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Wales.

The women’s event opens with a match between New Zealand and Wales, followed later in the day with host India speaking Scotland in a Pool A clash.

The men’s event will start on Tuesday 5 October, with India facing Malaysia in the evening match.

The women’s final is schedule for Wednesday 13 October, while the men’s teams will compete for the gold medal one day later.

Match schedule (all times local, all matches on Pitch 1 unless stated):

Monday 4 October
Women Pool B 10:30 New Zealand - Wales
Women Pool A 13:00 South Africa - Trinidad & Tobago
Women Pool B 16:00 Canada - Malaysia
Women Pool A 18:00 India - Scotland

Tuesday 5 October
Women Pool B 08:30 England - Wales
Men Pool A 10:30 Pakistan - Scotland
Women Pool A 13:00 Australia - Trinidad & Tobago
Men Pool B 14:00 New Zealand - Trinidad & Tobago Pitch 2
Women Pool B 16:00 New Zealand - Malaysia
Men Pool B 16:30 Canada - South Africa Pitch 2
Men Pool A 19:00 India - Malaysia
Women Pool A 21:00 South Africa - Scotland

Wednesday 6 October
Men Pool A 08:30 Australia - Scotland
Women Pool B 11:00 Canada - England
Women Pool A 13:30 India - Australia
Men Pool B 15:30 England - Trinidad & Tobago
Men Pool B 18:30 New Zealand - South Africa
Men Pool A 20:30 Pakistan - Malaysia

Thursday 7 October
Women Pool A 11:00 Scotland - Trinidad & Tobago
Women Pool B 13:00 Malaysia - Wales
Men Pool A 16:00 India - Australia
Men Pool B 18:00 Canada - England

Friday 8 October
Women Pool A 08:30 South Africa - Australia
Women Pool A 10:30
Trinidad & Tobago - India
Women Pool B 13:30 New Zealand - England
Men Pool B 15:30 South Africa - Trinidad & Tobago
Women Pool B 18:30 Wales - Canada
Men Pool A 20:30 Malaysia - Scotland

Saturday 9 October
Men Pool B 08:30 New Zealand - England
Men Pool A 10:30 Pakistan - Australia
Women Pool A 13:30 Australia - Scotland
Women Pool B 14:00 England - Malaysia Pitch 2
Men Pool B 16:00 Trinidad & Tobago - Canada
Women Pool B 16:30 New Zealand - Canada Pitch 2
Men Pool A 19:00 Scotland - India
Women Pool A 21:00 South Africa - India

Sunday 10 October
Men Pool B 12:00 England - South Africa
Men Pool B 14:00 New Zealand - Canada
Men Pool A 16:30 Australia - Malaysia
Men Pool A 19:00 Pakistan - India

Monday 11 October
Women 9-10 08:30 5th Women Pool A - 5thWomen Pool B
Women semifinal 11:00 1st Women Pool A - 2nd Women Pool B
Women 5-6 13:30 3rd Women Pool A - 3rd Women Pool B
Women semifinal 17:30 1st Women Pool B - 2nd Women Pool A
Women 7-8 20:00 4th Women Pool A - 4th Women Pool B

Tuesday 12 October
Men 9-10 08:30 5th Men Pool A - 5th Men Pool B
Men semifinal 11:00 1st Men Pool A - 2nd Men Pool B
Men 5-6 13:30 3rd Men Pool A - 3rd Men Pool B
Men semifinal 17:30 1st Men Pool B - 2nd Men Pool A
Men 7-8 20:00 4th Men Pool A - 4th Men Pool B

Wednesday 13 October
Women 10:30 Bronze Medal Match
Women 13:00 Gold Medal Match

Thursday 14 October
Men 09:00 Bronze Medal Match
Men 11:30 Gold Medal Match

Delhi 2010 will promote greater participation of women in sports

In its endeavour to accomplish greater participation, gender equality, and to address all females related matters in the work of the Games time and beyond, the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010) today held its first Females Sub-committee meeting headed by its Chairperson Ms. Sara Pilot and Ms. Lora Prabhu, Convenor. It was attended by the OC CWG Delhi 2010 Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi MP and members of the Sub-committee including prominent females personalities from different sections.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Kalmadi said 40 percent of the workforce in the OC CWG Delhi 2010 is females and it shows OC's dedication to give equal participation to them. “Half of the 8000 athletes coming to participate in the Games are females and they are going to be accommodated in the Games Village. I propose to have a woman as the Deputy Mayor of the Village so that females issues can be taken care of in a better way,” they added. Thereafter the Sub-committee proposed Air Marshall (Retd.) Ms. Padma Bandhopadhyay to be the Deputy Mayor of the Games Village.
Mr. Kalmadi also suggested to the Sub- committee to make positive greater participation of females in the Domestic Sector of the Queen's Baton Relay 2010 Delhi and other functionalities of the Games like hospitality.

Sub- committee’s Chairperson Ms. Sara Pilot, in her presentation gave the slogan of “voice, choice, freedom and rights for women”. They also reiterated that a national level impetus needs to be created for females related issues.

Ms. Gul Panag, actress, social activist and member of the Sub-committee said, “We require activism in this matter, they already have plenty of constitutional articles that legally bind the government to make positive gender equality.” Another member, Ms. Kalli Puri said, “Our idea is to do one sizable signature activity with this organisation to generate a role model from an underprivileged section of the society who can serve as the brand ambassador to this cause.”

All members were of the view that sports are a sizable device to empower females and also said that there is a necessity to empower females in sports itself. Commonwealth Games are a platform giving the country a chance to enhance visibility of sports and females.

The Sub- committee unanimously echoed Mr. Kalmadi’s view that upcoming Commonwealth Games is the immediate objective as well as a launch pad to boost women’s participation in sports and it can help in generating awareness in the whole process to spot and nurture the talent at an early age and promoting Olympic sports in the country in general.

Mr. Kalmadi gave his full support to suggestions given by the members on setting up a Females Help-desk in the Games Village, training volunteers and workforce in a gender sensitive way and enhancing female viewership of the Games.

Lady June Hillary joins Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi in New Zealand

Spouse of Sir Edmund Hillary, who reached the zenith of Mt. Everest with Tenzing Norgay before anyone else on 29 May 1953, Lady June Hillary joined the celebrations of Queen's Baton Relay 2010 Delhi in Auckland New Zealand.

The baton’s day in Auckland started with a media interview conducted by TVNZ. OC CWG Delhi 2010 representative Ms. Priyanka Negi, Danyon Loader, former swimmer Mr. Daniel Bell and Mr Sam Webster, cyclist from New Zealand were interviewed.

The baton then proceeded from Auckland city to Manukau city to the Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate School, which is named in the memory of Sir Edmund Hillary. The school children welcomed the baton, which is called powhiri, after which the baton was taken to the school Marae (prayer ceremony).

The baton was handed over to Lady June Hillary, Head boy - Arthur Tuiafiso, then to athletes Daniel Bell - swimmer, Sam Webster - cyclist and Danyon Loader - former swimmer. The baton was then passed around to the school children as well as a relay followed including visiting Dawson Road Primary School.

In the afternoon, the baton was taken to Chapel Down School, were students were enthusiastic about the baton and all children had a chance of touching the baton.
Later, the baton visited the Indian Community at Munukau Square. All of them were excited and felt proud to be the part of the Relay.
In the evening, the baton attended a reception hosted by New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC). The NZOC welcomed the relay and shared how they are going to be part of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

We will not be distracted from our goal of producing a great Games

There are 142 days to go for the beginning of the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi and the feeling of excitement is growing by the day. They felt a sense of relief last week when they heard from Commonwealth Games Federation’s Co-ordination Commission (CoCom) Chairman Austin Sealy that CoCom had done its last visit to Delhi.
To us in the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, CoCom’s decision not to return for another trip is a sure sign that preparation to stage the Commonwealth Games is moving in the right direction. But they won't let our guard down and keep finishing the numerous tasks that will add up to make this the best Games ever.

Personally, I am pleased that the Co-ordination Commission termed its last visit as the best, recognizing there has been progress, among other areas, in venue planning, securing of Games accommodation requirements, implementation of major Games expertise systems, ticketing distribution systems besides recruiting thousands of volunteers to date.

The CoCom also noted the successful Cooks de Mission Seminar and the conduct of five check events as achievements since its earlier visit. They have assured that they are prepared to work day and night to that things are in place well before the Games.
They have signed the catering contracts so that they can serve 36,000 meals a day in the work of the Games as well as a total of over 400,000 meals between September 1 and October 30. The team that has come on board has terrific experience of handling such tasks at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games and knows the athletes’ needs.
I am sure that the 8000 athletes and officials will be satisfied with the food they get at the Games Village. Similarly, for transporting the Games Relatives, they are in advanced talks with companies like Mahindra’s, Tata’s and Maruti and they hope to finalise the deal in the approaching week or so.

Let me assure you that the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi is all geared up and waiting for the venues to be handed over so that they can complete the remaining tasks that will they can produce a great Games. Let me also reassure you they are focused and won't let any diversions affect our readiness to host the Games and make a great job of it.

That is what they assured the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh when they met him last. They know they are raring to go that the Commonwealth Games be conducted successfully. They can always keep in mind how concerned they is and how greatly supportive they is of our efforts. They will live up to his expectations and not let him down. Yes, they can and, yes, they will produce a great Commonwealth Games that will make you proud.

Lady June Hillary joins Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi in New Zealand

Wife of Sir Edmund Hillary, who reached the zenith of Mt. Everest with Tenzing Norgay before someone else on 29 May 1953, Lady June Hillary joined the celebrations of Queen's Baton Relay 2010 Delhi in Auckland New Zealand.

The baton’s day in Auckland started with a media interview conducted by TVNZ. OC CWG Delhi 2010 representative Ms. Priyanka Negi, Danyon Loader, former swimmer Mr. Daniel Bell and Mr Sam Webster, cyclist from New Zealand were interviewed.
The baton then proceeded from Auckland city to Manukau city to the Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate School, which is named in the memory of Sir Edmund Hillary. The school children welcomed the baton, which is named powhiri, after which the baton was taken to the school Marae (prayer ceremony).

The baton was handed over to Lady June Hillary, Head boy - Arthur Tuiafiso, then to athletes Daniel Bell - swimmer, Sam Webster - cyclist and Danyon Loader - former swimmer. The baton was then passed around to the school children as well as a relay followed including visiting Dawson Road Primary School.

In the afternoon, the baton was taken to Chapel Down School, were students were enthusiastic about the baton and all children had a chance of touching the baton.
Later, the baton visited the Indian Community at Munukau Square. All of them were excited and felt proud to be the part of the Relay.

In the evening, the baton attended a reception hosted by New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC). The NZOC welcomed the relay and shared how they are going to be part of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

CGF CoCom praises Delhi 2010 commercial programme

The Commonwealth Games’ Coordination Commission during its session today with the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi praised the excellent progress being made with the sponsorship programme.

“We were pleased with the in-roads being made in the area of sponsorship & the results achieved to date by the Organising Committee & their appointed agent for the Games, Sports Marketing & Management (SMAM),” CGF CEO Mike Hooper said.

“With what has already been contracted, & what is currently at contract stage, the sponsorship programme has eclipsed what Melbourne achieved in 2006. Melbourne was the most successful sponsorship campaign in the history of the Commonwealth Games by a significant margin,” they said

“Based on the presentations received today they expect to see further strong gains over the coming four months as corporations realise the opportunities presented by being part of the biggest sports event ever to take part in India, an event of national, & international, significance.”

“While the total currently sits at US$74 million, the presentation today confirmed that there is now nice prospects in a quantity of other key sponsorship categories. CGF is confident that the Organsiing Committee, through its Chairman, Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, & its marketing agent, SMAM, are doing everything possible to maximise opportunities from this market.

Baton’s trip to the endangered Kiribati brings Green Games message home

While the world is confronting global warming and its consequences, Kiribati is fighting a losing battle for its survival. Indiscriminate destruction of forests, unplanned development and uncontrolled carbon emission has caused Kiribati to face the threat of becoming the first nation to be swamped by sea within this century.

As the Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi arrived in Kiribati, which is set to become the first nation to disappear from the world map because of climate modify, the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi reiterated its commitment to being the first Green Games in history and to generate greater awareness about environmental issues.

It's led to Kiribati urging the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, six developed countries in the region, to accept Kiribati citizens as permanent refugee since the island nation is expected to be submerged by the rising sea.

Global warming will cause the sea to rise up to 19 inches in the Asia-Pacific region by 2070. The irony is that Asia-Pacific, a home to a number of the world’s most impoverished and least equipped countries, which are making none or negligible contribution to the global warming will face its consequences over other countries.

Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi has taken on itself the mission to host Green Games by using effective carbon emission mitigation, reduction and offset techniques. Its Green Games vision covers all the environmental aspects including Land, Energy, Water, Air, Carbon, Waste, Procurement and the most important task of Green Sensitisation.

When the Kiribati citizens are facing a manmade calamity, the Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi reached there to reiterate its attempt to spread greater awareness about environmental issues. The baton has not only carried messages about the Commonwealth Games, Delhi and India but also six about it being the first ever Green Games.

The relay also offers Kiribati a platform to attract the world’s attention to global warming and its imminent threats. Kiribati’s President Mr. Anote Tong said in 2008 that the island nation had reached “the point of no return. To plan for the day when you no longer have a country is indeed painful but I think they must do that,” he said.

The Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi, which has travelled 115,831km across Commonwealth nations and territories in Europe, Africa, Americas and parts of Oceania before reaching Kiribati, has visited a number of world’s most bio-diverse regions, and geographical wonders in world. And everywhere, eco-consciousness was the prime theme.

This is a paradox since the sun is setting on a country that sees the sun rise on the world before someone else. Then again, Kiribati may be the first to face the threat of disappearing from the world map, parts of South Asia are facing similar danger. The Commonwealth Games tries to break the shackles the world has imposed on itself and bring the Commonwealth together.

Journey of Unity: Students embraced as Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi ends

Queen's Baton Relay in 2010 ended in New Delhi on high note after three days' journey around the capital, Honiara.

Island nation's leading newspapers Šalomoun Star announced yesterday that the last day was again a successful day as a baton to visit children and students from various schools and Rove prison.

The relay began at the school yesterday Mbokonavera Mbokona then, St. John, Bishop Epalle Catholic school, Red Cross handicap Center, White River, and ended on Tanagai School.

From Tanagai accompanied her up to Rove, where he met and transferred to the Police Commissioner Peter Marshall, who took the baton by a police honor guard Rove Correctional Services.

Rove Prison, it was to meet the Prison Service Commissioner Francis Haisoma who escorted the baton to visit prisoners.

Haisoma during his short speech said that the prisoners were really grateful to have visited the Queen's Baton.

It was explained that prisoners conducted by the GPS to monitor his whereabouts, video cameras and audio recorders to capture everything that moves and makes sounds.

"We are very privileged to have them stick with us and I want to thank the organizers that there is no discrimination at all, or in connection with the status of prisoners, and therefore we are prisoners here are thought to have a chance to see and touch the stick", Haisoma said.

Rove baton after leaving the police station was accompanied by Commissioner Marshall returns to town a reason to wait for Miss Solomon Rabobo Tom, British High Commissioner and President Timothy Smart NOCS Maetoloa Fred, who accompanied the torch Honiara City Council.

In HCC, it was meet director of the Public Prosecutor Ronald Bei Talasasa.

Baton ended its journey at the Government House with NOCS presentation baton back to the Governor-General Sir Frank Kabui, who handed it back to the Commonwealth Prime Oceania Vui Tapas Leung Wai.

The baton will be leaving the country on Monday morning on Nauru.