Wait is over; Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi arrives in India

The Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi has arrived in India! The long wait came to an finish as Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Lt. Gen. Arif Hassan handed over the baton to Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, Chairman, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi & IOA President at the historic Wagah Border between India & Pakistan.
A vibrant ceremony marked the baton’s arrival as this was the first major event of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi on Indian soil.

The baton then passed through the hands of dignitaries including Mr. Mike Fennell, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF); Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Delhi Chief Minister; Mr. Shivraj Patil, Hon’ble Governor of Punjab; Sardar Prakash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister; Mrs. Sundhushree Khullar, Union Sports Secretary; Mr. Mike Hooper, CGF CEO; Olympic Medalist Mr. Vijender Singh & four time World Ladies Boxing Champion Ms. Mary Kom among others.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Kalmadi said, "It's a great day for sports in India. The baton has gone 170,000 kilometers all around the Commonwealth. They have received it in a large manner. It is a large day for India & Pakistan. It is because of Pakistan's efforts that India got the Games & it shows that our relationship with Pakistan will improve if they concentrate on the sporting angle," they added.

Mr. Kalmadi reiterated that everything is on track & all the infrastructure is coming up nicely. "I am grateful to Mr. Fennell & Mr. Hooper, who have been supporting us. This also happens to be 100 days before the Games. Let me tell you that everything is in place, including the infrastructure. Everything is on track," they said.
POA chief Hassan said the Games would help in getting rid of the hostilities between India & Pakistan.

"It's a historic moment for us. It would get rid of the hostilities of the past," they said.
It was so unlike a military check-post at Wagah Border. Amidst the tight security arrangement for the event, festive mood was at its prime. Wagah border adorned a vibrant look & enthusiasm was visible at the face of all Indian & foreign spectators who turned up to cheer the baton in large numbers. Spectators welcomed the baton with chants of “Chak De India”.

The ceremony showcased traditional dance forms of Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir & other states. Folk music, vocals & colours added to the celebratory mood of the event.

Sufi singers Wadali Brothers from India & popular singer, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan from Pakistan, also performed at the ceremony to mark the baton’s arrival.
The baton will now travel across the country covering a distance of 20,000 kilometers, will pass through the hands of over 5000 Batonbearers across 200 cities & thousands of villages using all modes of transport including land, air & sea, before arriving in Delhi for the grand Opening Ceremony of the Games on 3 October 2010.

The baton is for everyone; Common men become proud batonbearers in the land of five rivers, Punjab

The Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi has travelled across the land of three rivers – Punjab. Common man got the chance to see, touch & feel the prized baton. From an elderly farmer in the large farmlands of the state to its, traditional dancers & martial artists, everyone became the proud Batonbearer. They felt part of the mega-event to be organised in the national capital.

After finishing its international leg of journey covering 170,000 kilometers, the baton entered India through the Wagah Border amidst a spectacular ceremony on 25 June 2010.
Next day, the baton left Amritsar (Khasa) Army Cantt for Jallandhar. At Jallandhar baton was welcomed at Hans Raj Maha Vidalya Jallandhar followed by a visit to CRPF divisional Headquarters as well as a battalion of ITBP. All senior officers of these forces along with other staff were present to greet the baton. Punjab Armed Police (PAP) Rama Mandi & Maharaja Ranjit Singh Police Academy, Phillaur were the next destinations where-in baton was received by retired & serving police officers. Batonbearers were applauded by garlands & bouquets; their creativity was visible in the way the relay was organised with mounted horses with Bhangra & Gidda performers dancing in front of the Batonbearers. This was the place where Maharaja Ranjit Singh built his journal to make sure victory over Lahore, & the troops marched towards west to conquer his next location.

The baton halted at Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana, immediately after which there was tree plantation. Ms. Alka Lamba accompanied by baton crew planted medicinal plant’s saplings to boost the green revolution. In Ludhiana, the baton visited Bharat Nagar Chowk.
The baton’s next location was Patiala where the baton was received by famous cricket player, commentator & MP Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu who later joined the relay at Patiala Polo Ground. The sport city had organised a superb relay where-in about 20 Arjuna Awardee participated. The relay ended at NIS (National Institute Sports) of Patiala. Here the baton was joined by the community of Patiala for a cultural show followed by dinner.

In Patiala, the prominent Batonbearers were, Mr. Bahadur Singh, Brig. Labh Singh, Mr. Garbax Singh Sanhu, Ms. Rupa Saini (Hockey), Mr. Jugraj Singh (Athletic), Mr. Satbir Singh, Capt. HDS Brar (Automobile Race), Sub. Sham Singh, Mr. Deepak Patiala, Wg. Cdr. Gurpreet Singh Cheema (Defance Flyer), Mr. Harveen Saroa (Shooting), Mr. Sukchain Sing Cheema (Wrestler), Ms. Sunita Devi (Athletic), Mr. Shudeep Singh (Athletics), Mr. Balkar Singh (Athletics), Mr. Variender Singh (Boxing), Mr. Gurmukh Singh Sandhu (Wrestling), Mr. Ram Singh (Boxing), Mr. Palwinder Singh Cheema, Mr. Gaganjit Singh, Mr. Shamsher Singh Bhoparai (Volley Ball), Mr. Satnam Sing Maan (Jogging), Mr. Sandeep Kaur (Hockey) & Mr. Jagmohan Singh (Athletic).

Team India confident of hosting best ever Commonwealth Games says OC CWG Delhi 2010 Chairman

The Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010) Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, said team India including the OC CWG Delhi 2010, Chief Minister of Delhi & Union Sports Minister are all working as one, team India, under the leadership of the Prime Minister for the same objective of hosting best ever Commonwealth Games.

Speaking on the occasion of inauguration of the Commonwealth Games Branch of Central Bank of India(CBI) at the OC CWG Delhi 2010’s headquarters Mr. Kalmadi said, “We are going to do it. No one ways about it. They have moved ahead technologically & the last Commonwealth Commission that visited Delhi was all praise for us.”
“Around 30,000 enthusiastic volunteers, who are face of the Games, are being trained in Amity University. They are working day & night to be definite great success for the Games,” he said.

Chief Minister of Delhi Ms. Sheila Dikshit said, “These Games will be conducted in the best ever way. They are up to it. What is being constructed now in Delhi will be legacy for India.”

Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Finance Mr. Namo Narain Meena said Commonwealth Games are the moment of national pride. It is one of the major sporting events & will lead to strengthen sports culture in the country among the youth.
Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister inaugurated the Central Bank of India’s Commonwealth Games’ branch in OC CWG Delhi 2010 headquarters atrium. Mr. S. Sridhar, CMD of Central Bank of India, Commonwealth Countries’ high commissioners, Board of member of CBI & senior officials of OC CWG Delhi 2010 were also present on the occasion.

Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi is the unifying force for all, says OC Chairman

The Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010) Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, has said the Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi is the unifying force for all irrespective of caste and creed. Addressing a pre-event press conference on the occasion of the baton’s arrival to India through Wagah border on 25 June and inauguration of the Media Centre at the OC CWG Delhi 2010 headquarters they said baton is for everyone and is for the “aam aadmi”(common men).

“Friendship through sports is the theme of baton’s arrival at Wagah Border. The baton will unite the whole country as it will pass through all 28 states and 7 union territories covering a distance of 20,000 kilometers,” they said.
Mr. Kalmadi further added, “Our main focus will be on International Athletes as the baton will promote Olympic Sports’ culture in the country. All State Olympic Associations will manage cultural shows in the respective cities.”

Mr. Kalmadi thanked Pakistan Olympic Committee for its undying support. “Pakistan has supported us to the hill to get these Games”, they added.
The baton will arrive in India on 25 June 2010 through Wagah Border. Pakistan Olympic Committee’s President Lt-Gen Syed Arif Hassan will hand over the baton to Mr. Kalmadi. The baton will then be passed to the CGF President Mr. Mike Fennell, Delhi Chief Minister Ms. Sheila Dikshit, Governor of Pinjab Mr. Shivraj Patil, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Prakash Singh Badal, Union Sports Secretary Ms. Sindhushree Khullar and Hero Honda CEO Mr. Pawan Munjal and other Batonbearers. There will be a vibrant culture function at Wagah.

The baton will then embark a 20,000 kilometer long journey spanning 100 days. The baton will cover 400 cities and towns will pass through the hands of around 5,000 Batonbearers. A team of 90 people will accompany the baton in its journey across the country.

Started on 29 Oct 2010 from the Buckingham Palace in London, on 25 June, the baton will complete a journey across the globe covering a distance of 170,000 kilometers spanning in four regions of the Commonwealth viz., Europe, Africa, Caribbean, Americas, Oceania and Asia and visiting 69 nations and territories.
The baton will arrive in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, on 3 October 2010 for the spectacular opening ceremony kick-starting t 12 days of sporting extravaganza.

Green Games’ Sustainable Transport Rally spreads the message of eco-friendliness

Keeping up with the Green theme of the Delhi 2010, the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010) today organised Sustainable Transport Rally comprising of eco-friendly means of transport like cycles & electric (battery jogging) cars & scooters.

200 lovers from all walks of life, young & elderly participated in the 8 km long rally. Cycle rally was flagged off by Shera, the Games mascot, from the OC CWG Delhi 2010 Headquarters & the other rally comprising of electrical vehicles started from Delhi Chief Minister Mrs. Sheila Dikshit’s residence. Mrs Dikshit herself drove an electric automobile Reva. Apart from the Cheif Minister, Mrs. Kiran Walia, Health Minister of Delhi. Mr. R. K. Pachauri, MD, TERI, Mr. Parimal Rai, Chairman , NDMC, Mr. P. K. Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister & Mr. V. K. Verma, DG of the OC CWG Delhi 2010 participated in the Rally. Both rallies culminated at Commonwealth Gardens in Africa Avenue, Chanakyapuri where the Chief Minister & other guests planted a sapling in the Commonwealth Garden.

Speaking on the occasion Mrs. Dikshit said they must spend our natural resources wisely as there's lots of species but one Earth. They lauded the efforts of children, RWAs, ladies organisations & NGOs to make Delhi one of the greenest cities in India & in the world.

“Delhi is one of the largest cities. They must strike a balance between the gigantic, rising population & the natural resources & spend them wisely. 42% of the tidy, freshwater obtainable to Delhi is wasted, they must modify our habits. Fuel consumption is another reason for environmental pollution hence battery run vehicles are an option. They must have bravery to demand tidy fuel so that companies provide us the same.”

Mr. Pachauri said, “It is heartening to see lots of young people today turning up to protect surroundings. They must work together to make positive that they bring prosperity for all.”

Mr. Verma said OC CWG Delhi 2010 is committed make Delhi 2010 the first ever Green Games. Delhi Government’s initiative for tidy transport like Metro, Jogging tracks for cyclists, etc., are playing sizable role in improving Delhi’s air quality.
The Chief Minister released State of Surroundings Document for Delhi 2010. Bonsais were introduced to all the guests. The Rally that travelled to different parts of the city spread the message Reduce, Recycle & Reuse.

Delhi 2010 launches its Ticketing Programme

The Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010) formally launched its Ticketing Programme today. Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Mr. Tejendra Khanna, at a function held this morning in the OC CWG Delhi 2010 Headquarters, launched the Ticketing Programmes as Shera, the Games Mascot, handed over first ticket to him & the second one to the Mayor of Delhi Mr. Prithvi Raj Sawhney.
Speaking on the occasion OC CWG Delhi Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, said they was confident that the sports loving people of Delhi & India will contribute to the successful delivery of the Games that is being held in Asia for only the second time & in India for the first time.

Mr. Suresh Kalmadi said, “The tickets for the Games are affordable & basically available by everyone. I think that sports fans across the country will be keen to witness the sporting spectacle that will unfold in October. I hope all Delhi-ites will come forward & buy tickets in giant numbers leading to house full stadiums in the work of all the competitions.” Mr. Kalmadi thanked the Delhi government for waiving the entertainment tax on the tickets which has made it feasible to make the tickets affordable for everyone.

“We are hosting an event of this magnitude for the first time in 28 years & this is vastly different in scale to the 1982 Asian Games. I think that sports fans will be keen to witness the sporting spectacle that will unfold from 3 to 14 October,” they said.

“The Commonwealth Games are your opportunity to explore your passion & enthusiasm for sports, when a considerable number of our athletes are pegged to be medal winners in a range of sports. Ticketing is one of the four revenue streams for the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, the others being Broadcast Rights, Sponsorships & Merchandise. I am positive ticketing will raise the budgeted revenues for us,” Mr. Kalmadi said.

The Lt. Governor said they was happy with the ceremonial launch of Delhi 2010’s Ticketing Programme. Sports lovers from all the country will come & buy tickets in giant numbers. The Government of India, OC CWG Delhi 2010, Sports Ministry & the Chief Minister of Delhi are tirelessly working together to make positive the success of Delhi 2010.

“Delhiites will showcase India’s traditional hospitality & universal brotherhood to the guests visiting India in the work of the Games & beyond,” they added.
Ticket prices for the sporting events range from Rs 50 to Rs 1000. Prices for the Opening Ceremony will range from Rs 1000 to Rs 50,000, & for the Closing Ceremony from Rs 750 to Rs 50,000. Very 40% of the competition venue tickets will be Rs 200 or below. Four events will be free – the Marathon, the Walk, Running Road Race & Running Time Trial.

The sale of tickets will come in to force with immediate effect at counters through the outlets of Central Bank of India & Hero Honda, CWG Ticketing call centre (1800-200-1294) as well as through the official ticketing net site – www.tickets.cwgdelhi2010.org.

Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been appointed as the official ticketing agency for Delhi 2010 in consortium with Broad Vision Systems & TicketPro. IRCTC will provide ticket sales by the Net, call centre, a network of stores & at different sporting venues in the work of the Games. IRCTC will also provide call middle for information dissemination & handling customer queries from the public related to ticketing.

In the work of the first phase, 40 percent of the tickets for the local market will go on sale. All venues will have available seating for spectators with special needs (based on the international standards of 0.5% of the total venue seating capacity).
The tickets sales will be in four phases; in the work of phase I, spectators purchasing the tickets will be provided with a confirmation voucher which will be exchanged for actual tickets beginning 1 August (Start of Phase II). In the work of Phase II, the spectators will have actual tickets against every purchase. Phase III, which will start before the Games (1 October), will witness venue sales outlets also added to the sales channel. Spectators can pick the choice of getting their tickets delivered through courier or opt for pick up option if booking online or through the call centre.

Ticket sales in international markets began in November 2009. Sales to sponsors began in May 2010. Sale to the general public in India will start from today through IRCTC. Sales at the Games venue will be from 02 October 2010 & will continue through the period of the Commonwealth Games till 14 October.

Each ticket holder can travel free by Delhi Metro trains & DTC buses to reach & return from the venue on the day of the event for which they hold a ticket.
The OC CWG Delhi 2010 has ensured that tickets will be printed at Government of India Security Press with complete inbuilt foolproof security features to prevent counterfeit of the Games tickets.

Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, MP & Senior Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association, Mr. Tarlochan Singh, MP, Mr. Rakesh Kumar Tandon , MD, IRCTC & Dr. Lalit Bhanot, Secretary General of the OC CWG Delhi 2010 were also present on the occasion.

India sees Delhi 2010 as chance to emerge as significant sporting nation

The Government of India sees the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi as an excellent opportunity to herald the country’s emergence as a significant sporting nation & showcase its organisational capacity to host such major events.

In its document to the nation introduced by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday, Government said apart from highlighting the important role of sports, promoting closer ties between the people of the Commonwealth countries & promoting tourism, this Commonwealth Games will provide the nation with state-of-art, international standard sports infrastructure.

The document said Government had approved a budget of very Rs. 11,494 crore for the successful conduct of the Games through various ministries. (Of this, the budget for the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi to conduct the Games is Rs 1620 crore). The Commonwealth Games will also lead to the up gradation of city infrastructure on an unprecedented scale, it said.

The new terminal at the Indira Gandhi International Airport will be fully operational soon, well in time for the Commonwealth Games. It's been designed to cater to 100 million passengers per annum by 2036, the document said.
It also said that 45.83 km was added to the Delhi Metro network. Of work, it will expand to 185 km in the work of the Games, spanning the IGI Airport to Connaught Place, to the Games Village in Akshardham to all venues

Australia names teenager in Delhi 2010 lawn bowls squad

Natasha van Eldik was on Wednesday named to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games lawn bowls pairs competition in Delhi in October. At 19, they will become the youngest lawn bowler to wear Australian colours in a Commonwealth Games competition.
They lines up alongside reigning gold medallist, 26-year-old Lynsey Armitage. The pair won the silver medal at the eight-nation event at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium lawn bowls facility here in April. That satisfied Australian coach Rex Johnston that Van Eldik was prepared.

“I got the call at 6.45 this morning...they said they would receive a call whether they had made the Commonwealth Games team or not so I didn't know what to anticipate,” they was quoted as saying in the Australian media. “It's a bit overwhelming . In 12 months I have debuted for my country, played about 14 or 15 games for Australia and now I'll a Commonwealth Games. It is a dream come true.”
The 20-year-old Kelsey Cottrell, a reserve three years ago, will make her debut in the women's singles, while Sharyn Renshaw (NSW), Claire Duke (NSW) and Julie Keegan (NSW) have been chosen to play in the triples.

In the men's disciplines, world No.2 Leif Selby has secured the coveted singles role while Mark Berghofer and Aron Sherriff will play in the pairs and Brett Wilkie will partner defending Games champions Wayne Turley (NSW) and Mark Casey (QLD) in the triples.

Australia topped the medal count in Melbourne three years ago with five gold, one silver and one bronze. National coach Rex Johnston believes it is feasible to replicate that performance in Delhi. “We're happy with the final 12 that has been chosen,” they said, preparing for his sixth successive Commonwealth Games campaign as a player or a coach.

“We have a powerful mix of youth and experience, with the likes of Armitage, Turley and Casey being given the chance to defend their respective gold medals from Melbourne, while we have also invested our faith in the likes of Cottrell and Selby who have proven to be world class players over the past couple of years.”

The Games will leave a lasting legacy, Chairman tells The Times of India

The Commonwealth Games Federation has been coming here every two-three months to assess our preparations. Initially, the preparations were slow, yes – they had to get lot of permissions from MCD

NDMC... So everything delayed the method. Then, they had to get the international federation’s permission; later, they okayed everything. For example, they had an issue in jogging – they said that concrete flooring would not do, you need to have wooden floors. We’ve done all that, so some things took longer, as they had to cater to the international federations. But today, everything is of global standards. Now, it’s organising the Games that’s a challenge for us. They will have 15,000 individuals who will be staying here for 15 days, and then we’ll send them back home. Besides that, they will be having media participation from all over the world. And they know that the media can make and maaro games. Initially, the federation was very apprehensive, but in the last meeting, they said that they would not come again and that they were satisfied with our work.

There's still 130 days for the Games and everything is under control. Even the committee members from various countries have visited India on and off. They last had a committee member from Australia who had come here to see all the arrangements because they are very particular about such things. They are pleased with our progress. The last time they came, they said that the games in Delhi have more potential then the games in Melbourne. Our Games village even surpasses the Olympic village in Beijing. From now on, they will be able to hold any Games. The Games will be a legacy.

As you know, India is the land of cricket and for Olympic sports to survive in India is a very giant thing. Olympic sports are growing, but they know that there is lot of work to be done. But after spending all that money, if they do not get medals, that won't be lovely.

Benefits of Games will be felt for longer than 15 days

Only for 15 days? That is the query that springs up in my mind each time I read a document or listen to about how much the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi are costing us. I shall get to the numbers soon after but let me first ask: Is the sports & city infrastructure, which is quickly coming up & making Delhi a more classy megapolis, going to last 15 days?

Lots of numbers are doing the rounds, including a mind-boggling Rs 30,000 crore than an NGO has released to the media. Let me reiterate that the cost of the Commonwealth Games is Rs 1620 crore – & this is by way of a loan from the Government that will be repaid from the revenues they earn from five streams – sale of broadcast rights, sponsorships, ticket & merchandise sales.

There has been some talk of the city being left with what the anti-sport minded have called ‘severe financial legacy’. I shall address that but only after speaking of the sporting legacy that the Commonwealth Games will leave for Delhi, in particular – & India, at huge.

Five venues are being upgraded, spanking new facilities for nine sports are being opened & numerous training facilities are being either upgraded or created. & each of these has been designed with the athlete in mind. Little wonder then the FIH President Mr. Leandro Negre called the Maj. Dhyan Chand National Stadium the best hockey facility in the world.

Delhi can well truly be the sports capital of the country , what with our national squads training here in the run up to major competitions. Also, the megapolis has the fabulous opportunity to become the most sports conscious city in India. Its citizens – who are among the most important stakeholders in the venture – have taken to the Games admirably.

The city’s development will have advanced by two to 10 years, thanks to the Commonwealth Games. The new terminal at the Indira Gandhi International Airport will become operational soon. I am sure it won’t be long before it is rated among the best in the world.

The ever-expanding network of the Delhi Metro – I am told that it will extend to 185km in the coursework of the Games, spanning the IGI Airport to Connaught Place, to the Games Village in Akhshardham to all venues – & the 2000 low-floor buses will make commuting in the city a pleasant experience. Add to that, new over-bridges & fly-overs, Delhi’s commuters can have a hassle-free time on the city’s roads. & East Delhi residents will find the elevated road over the Barapulla drain from Sarai Kale Khan to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium a boon as it will save travel time & fuel costs.

None of these facilities has been built to benefit only the Commonwealth Games, has it? These are lasting legacies -- as the Moolchand & Lodhi Road flyovers & Khel Gaon (Games Village) are from the 1982 Asian Games. Besides, Delhi’s power-generation capacity is being augmented & that will serve the city for time to come.

I am sure that the new city infrastructure, the new airport terminal, will also boost tourism & will make Delhi a hub for international tourists who would usually skip India & head to Singapore, Malaysia, Bangkok & Hongkong. That will certainly alter from the Commonwealth Games. A study by Cost Waterhouse Cooper says India’s GDP will benefit by $4500 million over five years from 2008-2012. As lots of as five & a half million jobs will have been created, thanks to all these projects.

Having said that, let me draw your attention to reports from Scotland where the budget for the Commonwealth Games 2014 Glasgow has been revised by 70 million Pounds to 523.6 million Pounds. It was not any different in Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 nor is it a different story with London 2012. Indeed, inflation is not a local phenomenon & cost escalation is a common feature in such projects.

So then, to brand the Games a extravagant extravaganza is to take a short-sighted view & ignore the immense tangible benefits that it brings along. Let me congratulate you & your fellow citizens for taking the discomfort in the coursework of the city development with a smirk. Your patience, I am sure, will be rewarded with a world class city. Rest assured: That is not for 15 days