Organizers of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi asked the Indian government on Friday to order a cricket tour by the Australian team to be rescheduled to avoid a clash in dates. Ricky Ponting’s men are due to play two tests and three one-day internationals in India between Oct. 2-24, overlapping with the Games, which take place from Oct. 3-14. Suresh Kalmadi, who heads the Delhi 2010 organizing committee, wrote to the Sports Ministry to ask it to ensure the Board of Control for Cricket in India postponed the tour. “I need not stress the importance of not having any international cricket in India during the Commonwealth Games,” Kalmadi wrote to Sports Minister Manohar Singh Gill.
“Our preparations to ensure that we host a successful Games are in the home stretch and we are confident of delivering the best Games ever. “I write to seek your good offices to try and convince the BCCI to reschedule the tour.” The two tests in Mohali, Punjab, and Bangalore, Karnataka, coincide with the Commonwealth Games, which will feature 6,000 athletes from 71 nations, including Australia. Australia has no matches in Delhi, but in a country that is well-known for its love of cricket, millions of Indian television viewers are likely to chose to watch the Australian tour rather than the Commonwealth Games. There was no immediate comment from the BCCI on Kalmadi’s request.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Kalmadi asks BCCI to reschedule Australia series during Commonwealth Games
Queen's Baton reach Uttar Pradesh
The Queen's Baton Relay for the 2010 Commonwealth Games was accorded a rousing reception Thursday as it entered Uttar Pradesh, officials said. The baton relay, which entered the state's Bareilly district from Uttarakhand, was received by officials of the Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association (UPOA) and other dignitaries. A number of cultural programmes were presented by school students and sportspersons on the occasion. 'The main function was held at Bareilly stadium, where the baton reached at around 6 p.m.,' UPOA general secretary Anandeshwar Pandey told reporters in Bareilly, some 250 km from Lucknow. 'The baton will stay for the night in Bareilly. Tight security arrangements have been made in view of the night stay,' he added.
According to the UPOA, the baton will reach the state capital Lucknow Friday.
'The relay will be accorded a warm welcome at Itaunja (on the outskirts of the capital), where the baton would be received by UPOA members and other dignitaries,' said Lucknow District Magistrate Anil Sagar. 'A number of cultural events will be organised in the state capital to welcome the Queen's Baton Relay. Several photo sessions will take place at historic places in Lucknow to mark the arrival of the baton. Later, on the same day it will head for City Montessori School's Kanpur Road branch, where the main function will be held,' he added.
The customary Queen's Baton Relay run would be organised in Lucknow July 10. The baton will later travel around 19 districts of the state, before it reaches Bihar July 13, and re-enter Uttar Pradesh from Jhansi district July 19, Pandey said. The baton has travelled nearly 170,000 km through nearly 70 Commonwealth countries before arriving in India for the Games Oct 3-14 in New Delhi.
According to the UPOA, the baton will reach the state capital Lucknow Friday.
'The relay will be accorded a warm welcome at Itaunja (on the outskirts of the capital), where the baton would be received by UPOA members and other dignitaries,' said Lucknow District Magistrate Anil Sagar. 'A number of cultural events will be organised in the state capital to welcome the Queen's Baton Relay. Several photo sessions will take place at historic places in Lucknow to mark the arrival of the baton. Later, on the same day it will head for City Montessori School's Kanpur Road branch, where the main function will be held,' he added.
The customary Queen's Baton Relay run would be organised in Lucknow July 10. The baton will later travel around 19 districts of the state, before it reaches Bihar July 13, and re-enter Uttar Pradesh from Jhansi district July 19, Pandey said. The baton has travelled nearly 170,000 km through nearly 70 Commonwealth countries before arriving in India for the Games Oct 3-14 in New Delhi.
Sheila Dikshit promise top security to visitor and tourist at CWG Delhi
The thousands of visitors, including athletes and tourists, during the October Commonwealth Games will be provided with the best security, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said Friday.
Speaking at a seminar ‘From Commonwealth Games to Olympics’ here, she also exhorted the people to showcase Delhi’s rich culture during the Oct 3-14 Games, when around 100,000 visitors are expected to throng the city. ‘We seek more and more people’s cooperation from across the country for the successful conduct of the Games,’ she added.
Commenting on the preparations for the Games in the wake of the monsoon’s arrival, she said: ‘We have already done a lot of work and at the same time we are aware of the rains. There would be no problem in timely completion of the projects.’ ‘We have to face many obstacles and overcome those obstacles. The people from every part of the country can be a part of this game. Also, if people from all walks of life – painters, theatre artists or volunteers – contribute then we will say with full confidence that we will certainly do it,’ she said. To a question about the maintenance of the infrastructure coming up for the Games, Dikshit said the responsibility lies with the sports ministry and also it can be used for training programmes for the budding athletes. As to whether Delhi was ready to host Olympics, she noted that the city’s potential to host any big event would be ‘more visible’ after the successful completion of the mega-event, which will have the participation of 71 countries.
Speaking at a seminar ‘From Commonwealth Games to Olympics’ here, she also exhorted the people to showcase Delhi’s rich culture during the Oct 3-14 Games, when around 100,000 visitors are expected to throng the city. ‘We seek more and more people’s cooperation from across the country for the successful conduct of the Games,’ she added.
Commenting on the preparations for the Games in the wake of the monsoon’s arrival, she said: ‘We have already done a lot of work and at the same time we are aware of the rains. There would be no problem in timely completion of the projects.’ ‘We have to face many obstacles and overcome those obstacles. The people from every part of the country can be a part of this game. Also, if people from all walks of life – painters, theatre artists or volunteers – contribute then we will say with full confidence that we will certainly do it,’ she said. To a question about the maintenance of the infrastructure coming up for the Games, Dikshit said the responsibility lies with the sports ministry and also it can be used for training programmes for the budding athletes. As to whether Delhi was ready to host Olympics, she noted that the city’s potential to host any big event would be ‘more visible’ after the successful completion of the mega-event, which will have the participation of 71 countries.
Commonwealth Games Construction work Complete- Kalmadi
Suresh Kalmadi, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, on Friday said the infrastructure for the Games is complete. Addressing media persons on the occasion of the setting up of the first venue operational team here, Kalmadi: "Finally, everything is falling into place; there are challenges now; the infrastructure part is over. The airport has happened, the metro has happened, now the flyovers and roads and all things are going on, that will happen and then finally the Games. Upto the time of the Games, most of the work is Organising Committee's work, so have to be on our toes and make sure everything goes off well".
He said that Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell had initially shown apprehension over the completion of the inaugural venue, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, butwas now satisfied with the progress made. "Mr. Fennell had come who had doubts about it, but he has come back and said that it is 'A-One'. There were two venues, which were lacking behind, one was Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and one was the swimming one, Talkatora Swimming Pool. That's also okay now. We are having our test events now in both these places," he added.
He said the Commonwealth Games would be the best and comparable to international standards. Test events have given Indian players a chance to train under foreign expertise, and therefore, they are expecting ample medals for the country this year, he said. The Commonwealth Games 2010 will be held from October 3 to 14.
He said that Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell had initially shown apprehension over the completion of the inaugural venue, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, butwas now satisfied with the progress made. "Mr. Fennell had come who had doubts about it, but he has come back and said that it is 'A-One'. There were two venues, which were lacking behind, one was Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and one was the swimming one, Talkatora Swimming Pool. That's also okay now. We are having our test events now in both these places," he added.
He said the Commonwealth Games would be the best and comparable to international standards. Test events have given Indian players a chance to train under foreign expertise, and therefore, they are expecting ample medals for the country this year, he said. The Commonwealth Games 2010 will be held from October 3 to 14.
Commonwealth Games 2010 date
The Commonwealth Games 2010 will be held from 3 october 2010 to 14 October 2010 which is total 12 Days when whole nation and world will see best sports event.
Time to move in to venues: OC Chairman
The FIFA World Cup may have engaged nearly everyone’s attention over the past month but, at the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, we have not allowed any distraction – sporting or non-sporting – to affect our focus from the task on hand: that of ensuring that we produce the best ever Commonwealth Games in October. One of the most satisfying events in the headquarters of the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi was the hosting of a meeting for the High Commissioners earlier this week. I was heartened by the positive response we drew from the Heads of Missions or their representatives of Commonwealth nations.
We briefed them about a number of aspects like security, transport, visa, accommodation, catering – areas that focus on the athletes welfare. The interactive session was memorable and the High Commissioners went back with confidence that their athletes would have the best of facilities to showcase their talent in Delhi. We had a similar successful meeting with Members of Parliament, Internataional sportspersons Presidents and Secretaries of State Olympic Associations, Nodal Officers from State Governments to brief them about that the Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi, which has been on a rousing tour of the country since arriving at the Wagah-Attari border a fortnight ago. I am delighted that the baton has drawn tremendous attention on its travels in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Queen’s Baton 2010 receives warm welcome in Jammu & Kashmir
The Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi has received a warm welcome throughout the northern Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. The Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi was received at the Srinagar International Airport by Mr. R. S. Chib, Honourable Minister of Sports and Education and Janab Aga Syed Ruhullah, Honourable Minister for Animal Husbandry, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Director General Youth Services and Sports J&K. The baton then visited famous Nishat Garden. The ceremony commenced with a short speech by the Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr Chib to assure proper sporting infrastructure in place for J&K athletes. The gathering of approximately 2000 people at the Nishat Garden appreciated the arrival of the baton.
The Batonbearers took the baton up to a boat in Dal Lake. It was a spectacular sight to see. The boats were arranged to ensure a smooth journey to makki poit ghat where the baton was received by Principal Tyndale Biscoe School. School children were lined up on both sides of the road. The relay started from Makki point to the botanical garden. In the botanical garden the baton was received by Shri Shyam Lal Sharma, Honourable Minister for health and Jenab Mohd Yaseen Shah, MLA. The baton was taken all around the garden by golf carts before it mounted on the horse cart. Next stop for baton was the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) gate where the baton was received by Janab Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of Tourism/HUD/revenue and Jenab Abdul Rahim Rather Honourable, Minister of Finance and Ladhakh affairs. A colourful cultural ceremony was arranged by J&K cultural academy. The main attraction was the Ladhaki dance and Dogri dance. Shera also danced on stage with the performers.
The Batonbearers took the baton up to a boat in Dal Lake. It was a spectacular sight to see. The boats were arranged to ensure a smooth journey to makki poit ghat where the baton was received by Principal Tyndale Biscoe School. School children were lined up on both sides of the road. The relay started from Makki point to the botanical garden. In the botanical garden the baton was received by Shri Shyam Lal Sharma, Honourable Minister for health and Jenab Mohd Yaseen Shah, MLA. The baton was taken all around the garden by golf carts before it mounted on the horse cart. Next stop for baton was the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) gate where the baton was received by Janab Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of Tourism/HUD/revenue and Jenab Abdul Rahim Rather Honourable, Minister of Finance and Ladhakh affairs. A colourful cultural ceremony was arranged by J&K cultural academy. The main attraction was the Ladhaki dance and Dogri dance. Shera also danced on stage with the performers.
Book Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Tickets
The Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010) formally launched its Ticketing Programme. 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 and 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 he was confident that the sports loving people of Delhi and India will contribute to the successful delivery of the Games that is being held in Asia for only the second time and in India for the first time.
Mr. Suresh Kalmadi said, “The tickets for the Games are affordable and easily accessible by everyone. I believe that sports fans across the country will be eager to witness the sporting spectacle that will unfold in October. I hope all Delhi-ites will come forward and buy tickets in large numbers resulting in house full stadiums during all the competitions.” Mr. Kalmadi thanked the Delhi government for waiving the entertainment tax on the tickets which has made it possible to make the tickets affordable for everyone. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been appointed as the official ticketing agency for Delhi 2010 in consortium with Broad Vision Systems and TicketPro. IRCTC will provide ticket sales via the Internet, call centre, a network of retail outlets and at different sporting venues during the Games. IRCTC will also provide call center for information dissemination and handling customer queries from the public related to ticketing.
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, and for the Closing Ceremony from Rs 750 to Rs 50,000. Almost 40% of the competition venue tickets will be Rs 200 or below. Four events will be free of charge – the Marathon, the Walk, Cycling Road Race and Cycling Time Trial. The sale of tickets will come into force with immediate effect at counters through the outlets of Central Bank of India and Hero Honda, CWG Ticketing call centre (1800-200-1294) as well as through the official ticketing website www.tickets.cwgdelhi2010.org.
Mr. Suresh Kalmadi said, “The tickets for the Games are affordable and easily accessible by everyone. I believe that sports fans across the country will be eager to witness the sporting spectacle that will unfold in October. I hope all Delhi-ites will come forward and buy tickets in large numbers resulting in house full stadiums during all the competitions.” Mr. Kalmadi thanked the Delhi government for waiving the entertainment tax on the tickets which has made it possible to make the tickets affordable for everyone. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been appointed as the official ticketing agency for Delhi 2010 in consortium with Broad Vision Systems and TicketPro. IRCTC will provide ticket sales via the Internet, call centre, a network of retail outlets and at different sporting venues during the Games. IRCTC will also provide call center for information dissemination and handling customer queries from the public related to ticketing.
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, and for the Closing Ceremony from Rs 750 to Rs 50,000. Almost 40% of the competition venue tickets will be Rs 200 or below. Four events will be free of charge – the Marathon, the Walk, Cycling Road Race and Cycling Time Trial. The sale of tickets will come into force with immediate effect at counters through the outlets of Central Bank of India and Hero Honda, CWG Ticketing call centre (1800-200-1294) as well as through the official ticketing website www.tickets.cwgdelhi2010.org.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Queen's Baton Relay arrives in India through Wagah Border
Starting the 100-day countdown to this year's Commonwealth Games, the Queen's Baton Relay arrived in India from Pakistan through the historic Wagah Border in Amritsar Friday. Chairman of the CWG Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi, received the baton from Pakistan Olympic Association President Lt Gen Syed Arif Hassan at the international border, where the Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell was also present. The QBR, which was launched by Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace in London on 29th October last year in the presence of Indian President Pratibha Patil, will now start a 100-day national tour which would culminate in New Delhi for the Games from 3rd to 14th October. With this, the baton is nearing the end of its 190,000-km journey, covering 71 nations and territories across the world.
"It's a great day for sports in India. The baton has gone 170,000 kms all around the Commonwealth. We have received it in a very big manner," Kalmadi said after passing the baton to a host of dignitaries including CGF CEO Mike Hooper and Olympic bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh. "It's a big day for India and Pakistan. It is because of Pakistan's efforts that India got the Games and it shows that our relationship with Pakistan will improve if we concentrate on the sporting angle," he added. Among those to whom the baton was passed on being received at around 0930 hrs at the border, were four-time world champion woman boxer M C Mary Kom.
Kalmadi once again allayed fears about the delay in infrastructure construction that have marred the build-up to the Games.
"I am grateful to Mr Fennell and 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," he said. POA chief Hassan said the Games would help in getting rid of the hostilities between India and Pakistan. "It's a historic moment for us. It would get rid of the hostilities of the past," he said. Among others who were present at the relay included Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and a host of top politicians and bureaucrats.
"It's a great day for sports in India. The baton has gone 170,000 kms all around the Commonwealth. We have received it in a very big manner," Kalmadi said after passing the baton to a host of dignitaries including CGF CEO Mike Hooper and Olympic bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh. "It's a big day for India and Pakistan. It is because of Pakistan's efforts that India got the Games and it shows that our relationship with Pakistan will improve if we concentrate on the sporting angle," he added. Among those to whom the baton was passed on being received at around 0930 hrs at the border, were four-time world champion woman boxer M C Mary Kom.
Kalmadi once again allayed fears about the delay in infrastructure construction that have marred the build-up to the Games.
"I am grateful to Mr Fennell and 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," he said. POA chief Hassan said the Games would help in getting rid of the hostilities between India and Pakistan. "It's a historic moment for us. It would get rid of the hostilities of the past," he said. Among others who were present at the relay included Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and a host of top politicians and bureaucrats.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Commonwealth Express to be flagged off today
A special exhibition train to promote Commonwealth Games will be flagged off by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in New Delhi on Thursday. The Commonwealth Express comprising 11 coaches will leave for Amritsar to coincide with the arrival of Queen's Baton in the country from Pakistan on 25th June. The special exhibition train, a joint venture between the Railway Ministry and the Information and Technology Ministry, will travel to each state and have about 50 stoppages at selected stations across the country. Besides Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and officials from the Organising Committee, Railway Ministry and IT Ministry are expected to attend the flagging off ceremony.
Commonwealth Express with its colourful coaches will be carrying detailed exhibits of Commonwealth Games. Railways' contribution to sports and its achievements in the sports arena will be showcased in the train. While railways will have five coaches, IT will showcase its achievements in six coaches. "We have prepared the schedule of the train keeping the Queen's Baton journey in the country. There will be stoppage at those stations where the baton will also reach," said the official. The baton is expected to return the capital on 30th September.Railways are the lead partner of the Commonwealth Games. IRCTC, a PSU of railways is the official ticketing agency of the Games. The train will carry the Commonwealth Games logo along with that of Indian Railways. Railways will publicise the detailed schedule of the train movement and its timings so that people can visit and see the exhibition.
Commonwealth Express with its colourful coaches will be carrying detailed exhibits of Commonwealth Games. Railways' contribution to sports and its achievements in the sports arena will be showcased in the train. While railways will have five coaches, IT will showcase its achievements in six coaches. "We have prepared the schedule of the train keeping the Queen's Baton journey in the country. There will be stoppage at those stations where the baton will also reach," said the official. The baton is expected to return the capital on 30th September.Railways are the lead partner of the Commonwealth Games. IRCTC, a PSU of railways is the official ticketing agency of the Games. The train will carry the Commonwealth Games logo along with that of Indian Railways. Railways will publicise the detailed schedule of the train movement and its timings so that people can visit and see the exhibition.
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