India Gears Up For Common wealth Games

New Delhi will be hosting the first Commonwealth Games competition from October 3-14 this year.

It will be the first time an international sporting event of this magnitude is being held in India. The last major multi-sport event held was the Asian Games in Delhi in1982, 28 years ago.

In the midst of allegations that the preparation for the event is going on at a tardy speed, the atmosphere is gathering up in the country’s capital to host 12 days of competition.

President Pratibha Patil with the Queen Elizabeth II, receiving the baton

71 Commonwealth Games Associations, representing over one-third of the world’s population will be participating in the event with 8000 athletes and officials.

The world-class infrastructure being readied for the event will have competitions in 17 sports namely Archery, Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby 7s, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling. This apart from para-sports events: Athletics, Swimming, Powerlifting and Table Tennis.

Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi, launched from Buckingham Palace on 29 October 2009, one of the longest ever Queen’s Baton Relays in Commonwealth games history, covering 190,000 kilometres across all continents, lasting over 340 days is on its way.

About 40000 volunteers are expected to help the organizing committee to ensure smooth execution of the event.

Undoubtedly the world media will be flying down to Delhi for exhaustive coverage of the 12 days of sporting frenzy. Commonwealth Business Club India, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will work towards boosting the country’s economic and business interests across the Commonwealth.

President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has reiterated India’s commitment to successful conduct of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi.

Indian officials rejoice on winning the bid for hosting the event in New Delhi.

Addressing Parliament on the inaugural day of the budget session in February the President said, “Preparations for the event are at an advanced stage. Every effort will be made to ensure a befitting and successful conduct of the Games”.

The President said that facilities, like modernization of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, required for the Games, will be ready in time. “The expansion and modernization of airports, especially the four metro airports, are progressing well. The Delhi airport project would be fully operational by July, 2010, well in time for the Commonwealth Games.” The Games is making positive changes across Delhi and the country’s TV broadcasting will also undergo revolutionary changes. “The Commonwealth Games 2010 will be covered in High Definition format by Doordarshan for the first time,” President said. Besides, the landmark ecological code for the 19th Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, which aims to ensure reasonable consumption of electricity and water in all the stadiums, was unveiled too recently.

Releasing the ecological code along with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Organizing Committee, said, “this measure would go a long way to limit the carbon footprint in Delhi and would strive to make the XIX Commonwealth Games pollution free.”

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Chairman, Green Games Sub-committee OC, CWG Delhi 2010 also acknowledged the Organizing Committee 2010 Delhi initiative to launch the drive towards green games concept, educating people and creating awareness for environmental protection.

Speaking at the milestone achievement, Kalmadi, said, “Releasing of the code is the first step towards ensuring that we are successful in our mission of conducting the first ever green games in the history of the Commonwealth Games.” Dr. Shashi Tharoor, reiterated that the XIX Commonwealth Games would be the “greenest Commonwealth Games ever.” He further went on to add that “the games would leave a legacy beyond roads and infrastructure; one of greater consciousness of the environment.” Successful hosting of the event will help Delhi project itself as a global destination for such sporting extravaganza.

Dikshit, who faced criticism for the city’s tardy preparation for the Games, said all efforts are on to make it a “memorable event” so that Delhi could hope to host bigger sporting events in the future.

The Delhi Government has undertaken several key infrastructure development projects as part of its preparation for the mega event. The total cost of the infrastructure projects has been pegged at Rs15,000 crore.

Describing the dome-shaped arena of the stadium as a unique piece of modern sports architecture, the chief minister said the new sports facility block adjacent to the stadium has been built using environment-friendly materials.

The stadium, having a capacity of 2,700 spectators, will also host the Commonwealth Boxing Championships to be held from March 10. The stadium has been designed and constructed as per international standards. A number of environmental-friendly material and energy efficient devices have been used in the sports facility block to make it a green building.
The stadium has been renovated at a total cost of Rs150 crore (approx 32,400,000 USD).

SHERA, THE MASCOT

Shera, mascot of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, is the most visible face of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. His name comes from the Hindi word Sher – meaning tiger. Shera truly represents the modern Indian. He is an achiever with a positive attitude, a global citizen but justifiably proud of his nation’s ancient heritage, a fierce competitor but with integrity and honesty. Shera is also a ‘large-hearted gentleman’ who loves making friends and enthusing people to ‘come out and play’.

In Indian mythology, the tiger is associated with Goddess Durga, the embodiment of Shakti (or female power) and the vanquisher of evil. She rides her powerful vehicle – the tiger – into combat, especially in her epic and victorious battle against Mahishasur, a dreaded demon.

Shera embodies values that the nation is proud of: majesty, power, charisma, intelligence and grace. His athletic prowess, courage and speed on the field are legendary. He is also a reminder of the fragile environment he lives in and our responsibility towards the protection of his ecosystem.

[ By yogesh KariKurve ]