The United Kingdom has expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements of the Common Wealth Games which will kick start in the national capital in October this Year and have denied that Scotland yard will be policing the forthcoming games.
However UK envoy has told reporters in New Delhi that some Security officials will be accompanying the British contingent to liaise ith local authorities. UK high commissioner said "We always send metropolitan police officers with our teams for major sporting events; they will be there to liaise with local authorities to ensure that our concerns are understood and vice versa".
He categorically said "We (Britain) are not going to be involved in policing the game but we will be involved to try and ensure to work effectively with Indian authorities so that the games are successful.
United Kingdom's envoy to India Sir Richard Stagg has expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements made by Delhi Police and the Centre Reserve Police Force.
Stagg also told reporters here that the UK security experts visited Delhi earlier in the month had given positive report about the security arrangements made by India for the forthcoming common wealth games and Indian authorities are on track to conduct safe games. He said "Indian authorities are on track to deliver very effective performance on security".
It is reported by certain sections of media that crack members of the British Metropolitan Police, popularly known as Scotland Yard, are likely to be involved in securing the Delhi Commonwealth Games scheduled for October, it was also reported that British contingent numbering more than1500 will at least be given protection by the Scotland Yard.
COURTESY - Naveen Kapoor (ANI)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
IWF is slapped with Rs 2.3 cr fine for dope-related offences
The Indian Weightlifting Federation escaped a ban but was slapped with a hefty fine of $500,000 (approximately Rs 2.3 crore) by the Indian federation’s president BP Baishya confirmed the development and told TOI that they had received a communication from IWF on Friday. The fine followed bans on six lifters, including former Commonwealth Games medallists Shailaja Pujari and Vicky Batta. While Pujari was banned for life, the rest were sanctioned for four years each.
According to Baishya, his federation has been given time till the Commonwealth Games to pay the fine.
Federation secretary Sahadev Yadav said that the IWF has conveyed that the Indian team could not participate in international events till the fine amount is paid. "They took the decision two months back and they conveyed it to us today. This is blackmailing by the IWF," federation secretary Sahadev Yadav said.
It was being speculated in the weightlifting circles that IWF’s tough stand could have something to do with the recent elections to the Indian federation, which was forced to dissolve its executive body and go to polls in the wake of a series of positive dope tests. Sources claimed that IWF was unhappy with the fact that several of the officials who were holding posts in the previous body, got back to the federation in different positions.
However, Indian federation officials claimed that IWF did not indicate anything to this effect in its communication.
There was also talk in some quarters that IWF’s decision has something to do with the Commonwealth Games. "This being a medal sport for India, the country is naturally desperate to have its lifters at the Games. Now, they are left with no choice but to cough out the money," Yadav said.
He also said he had no idea how the federation would raise such a huge amount. "We will raise the matter with IOA as well as the sports ministry. It’s not easy to raise the money in a short time. And the delay in payment of fine means our lifters won’t get required international exposure before the Commonwealth Games."
Besides the $500,000 fine, Baishya’s team might also to forced raise another $31,000 (around Rs 15 lakh) - the amount of the fine slapped on six offenders. Neither the lifters nor their state associations are likely to pay the amount.
COURTESY - Times of India
According to Baishya, his federation has been given time till the Commonwealth Games to pay the fine.
Federation secretary Sahadev Yadav said that the IWF has conveyed that the Indian team could not participate in international events till the fine amount is paid. "They took the decision two months back and they conveyed it to us today. This is blackmailing by the IWF," federation secretary Sahadev Yadav said.
It was being speculated in the weightlifting circles that IWF’s tough stand could have something to do with the recent elections to the Indian federation, which was forced to dissolve its executive body and go to polls in the wake of a series of positive dope tests. Sources claimed that IWF was unhappy with the fact that several of the officials who were holding posts in the previous body, got back to the federation in different positions.
However, Indian federation officials claimed that IWF did not indicate anything to this effect in its communication.
There was also talk in some quarters that IWF’s decision has something to do with the Commonwealth Games. "This being a medal sport for India, the country is naturally desperate to have its lifters at the Games. Now, they are left with no choice but to cough out the money," Yadav said.
He also said he had no idea how the federation would raise such a huge amount. "We will raise the matter with IOA as well as the sports ministry. It’s not easy to raise the money in a short time. And the delay in payment of fine means our lifters won’t get required international exposure before the Commonwealth Games."
Besides the $500,000 fine, Baishya’s team might also to forced raise another $31,000 (around Rs 15 lakh) - the amount of the fine slapped on six offenders. Neither the lifters nor their state associations are likely to pay the amount.
COURTESY - Times of India
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Former BJP President Rajnath Singh wants beef off Commonwealth Games menu
The Commonwealth Games organising committee now has to worry not just about meeting the deadline, but also the menu card for sportspersons and delegates.
Former BJP president Rajnath Singh has written to Games organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi that his party opposed beef on the menu.
“Cow is considered sacred in India. This thought has been integral to our cultural ethos for ages. No wonder, even the founding fathers of our Constitution also advocated a ban on cow slaughter (Article 48),” Singh said in his letter.
“The Commonwealth Games have become an important event where we should use every possible opportunity to highlight our cultural values and age-old traditions. By removing beef from the menu card, the organising committee would not only empathise with the popular sentiment but also save the Games from agitations and other possible controversies,” he added.
He also says that the BJP-dominated Municipal Corporation of Delhi has already passed a resolution to this effect. “Rules for importing such items will be suitably altered for the purpose. If imported, beef will only be for the guests and sportsmen and not for general consumption,” said Rakesh Mehta, chief secretary, Delhi government. The organising committee has not committed itself on the matter.
The politics of beef is not new in the country and Rajnath appears to be hoping that by adopting this pet Hindutva cause, he could hold on to some of the party’s old agenda.
“With Nitin Gadkari determined to move ahead with a development-oriented agenda, rather than a Hindutva one, this is Rajnath’s way of signalling the RSS that for him at least, these pet causes are important,” said a senior BJP leader.
COURTESY - Nistula Hebbar / DNA
Former BJP president Rajnath Singh has written to Games organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi that his party opposed beef on the menu.
“Cow is considered sacred in India. This thought has been integral to our cultural ethos for ages. No wonder, even the founding fathers of our Constitution also advocated a ban on cow slaughter (Article 48),” Singh said in his letter.
“The Commonwealth Games have become an important event where we should use every possible opportunity to highlight our cultural values and age-old traditions. By removing beef from the menu card, the organising committee would not only empathise with the popular sentiment but also save the Games from agitations and other possible controversies,” he added.
He also says that the BJP-dominated Municipal Corporation of Delhi has already passed a resolution to this effect. “Rules for importing such items will be suitably altered for the purpose. If imported, beef will only be for the guests and sportsmen and not for general consumption,” said Rakesh Mehta, chief secretary, Delhi government. The organising committee has not committed itself on the matter.
The politics of beef is not new in the country and Rajnath appears to be hoping that by adopting this pet Hindutva cause, he could hold on to some of the party’s old agenda.
“With Nitin Gadkari determined to move ahead with a development-oriented agenda, rather than a Hindutva one, this is Rajnath’s way of signalling the RSS that for him at least, these pet causes are important,” said a senior BJP leader.
COURTESY - Nistula Hebbar / DNA
Delhi seeks Rs 2000 crore additional fund from Centre for the Commonwealth Games
Facing severe fund crunch in view of huge spending on infrastructure projects linked to the Commonwealth Games, Delhi government sought an additional Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre.
Placing the demand before Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Delhi Finance Minister A K Walia said the city Government needs the additional allocation for the preparation of the sporting event.
"I have said we need at least Rs 2,000 crore.... This year we got about Rs 1,000 crore for Commonwealth Games and some money from JNNURM," Walia told reporters after a pre-Budget interaction with Mukherjee.
The government has made investments to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore to improve infrastructure ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
The Government is facing financial crisis as it had reported a fall of over Rs 1,300 crore in tax revenue collection in the last fiscal due to the economic downturn.
The tax collection has improved this year as the government collected a total tax revenue of Rs 8394.2 crore in the first eight months of 2009-10, which is an increase of 3.4 per cent comparing to the corresponding period of the last fiscal.
Asked about preparation for the Commonwealth Games, Walia said Government will complete all the projects on time.
"We are satisfied with progress of work. All the projects will be completed much before commencement of the event," he said.
In view of financial constraints of the city government, the Centre had granted a plan allocation of Rs 2,435.68 crore to it in the Union Budget, which was an increase of Rs 1,673 crore compared to year 2007-08.
The Delhi government, in its budget, had earmarked Rs 2,105 crore for the financial year 2009-10 for projects related to the Games.
The city Government had withdrawn subsidy to certain categories of power consumers, increased bus fare and hiked water tariff last year in view of its financial constraints.
The Government had also increased VAT on 120 items to improve its financial resources which will come into effect from Thursday.
COURTESY - Times of India
Placing the demand before Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Delhi Finance Minister A K Walia said the city Government needs the additional allocation for the preparation of the sporting event.
"I have said we need at least Rs 2,000 crore.... This year we got about Rs 1,000 crore for Commonwealth Games and some money from JNNURM," Walia told reporters after a pre-Budget interaction with Mukherjee.
The government has made investments to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore to improve infrastructure ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
The Government is facing financial crisis as it had reported a fall of over Rs 1,300 crore in tax revenue collection in the last fiscal due to the economic downturn.
The tax collection has improved this year as the government collected a total tax revenue of Rs 8394.2 crore in the first eight months of 2009-10, which is an increase of 3.4 per cent comparing to the corresponding period of the last fiscal.
Asked about preparation for the Commonwealth Games, Walia said Government will complete all the projects on time.
"We are satisfied with progress of work. All the projects will be completed much before commencement of the event," he said.
In view of financial constraints of the city government, the Centre had granted a plan allocation of Rs 2,435.68 crore to it in the Union Budget, which was an increase of Rs 1,673 crore compared to year 2007-08.
The Delhi government, in its budget, had earmarked Rs 2,105 crore for the financial year 2009-10 for projects related to the Games.
The city Government had withdrawn subsidy to certain categories of power consumers, increased bus fare and hiked water tariff last year in view of its financial constraints.
The Government had also increased VAT on 120 items to improve its financial resources which will come into effect from Thursday.
COURTESY - Times of India
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Scotland Commonwealth Games team picks new anthem
Scotland Commonwealth Games team picks new anthem
Scottish athletes have voted overwhelmingly for Flower of Scotland to be the official national anthem at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Scotland the Brave had been used as the anthem for Scottish competitors who won gold medals at previous games.
But the athletes voted by 211 to 15 in favour of Flower of Scotland to be adopted for this year's event.
A shortlist of four songs, which also included Loch Lomond and Highland Cathedral, had originally been chosen.
Athletes due to compete at the Delhi games were then asked to choose between Flower of Scotland and Scotland the Brave, which had been the two most popular tunes from the shortlist in a vote taken in November.
Flower of Scotland has been used by the national football and rugby teams since the early 1990s, but the Commonwealth Games team had continued to use Scotland the Brave, which was first adopted as its anthem in 1958.
Commonwealth Games Scotland had feared the lack of a recognised anthem created confusion amongst the athletes, team members, spectators and television viewers.
Courtesy - BBC News
Scottish athletes have voted overwhelmingly for Flower of Scotland to be the official national anthem at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Scotland the Brave had been used as the anthem for Scottish competitors who won gold medals at previous games.
But the athletes voted by 211 to 15 in favour of Flower of Scotland to be adopted for this year's event.
A shortlist of four songs, which also included Loch Lomond and Highland Cathedral, had originally been chosen.
Athletes due to compete at the Delhi games were then asked to choose between Flower of Scotland and Scotland the Brave, which had been the two most popular tunes from the shortlist in a vote taken in November.
Flower of Scotland has been used by the national football and rugby teams since the early 1990s, but the Commonwealth Games team had continued to use Scotland the Brave, which was first adopted as its anthem in 1958.
Commonwealth Games Scotland had feared the lack of a recognised anthem created confusion amongst the athletes, team members, spectators and television viewers.
Courtesy - BBC News
Australian athletes under Commonwealth Games Terror scare
AUSTRALIAN athletes will be at risk of terror attacks if they attend this year's Commonwealth Games in India, a leading security consultant has warned.
International security consultant Lloyd Bromfield, who has had 10 years' experience at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympic games and who will work on the London Olympics in 2012, said he was alarmed by New Delhi's lack of preparation.
The concerns have been supported by Australian terror expert Prof Clive Williams, who has described the Indians' approach to security as "a bit lackadaisical". Mr Bromfield said he had spoken out about his concerns because it did not sit well on his "conscience" and he feared the worst for athletes if they went to in India.
"Worst-case scenario could be a major bombing," he said. "It could be a Mumbai-style MO where you have a team of Osamas running around with hand grenades and small arms. It could be anything.
"While I wouldn't suggest it would be an airplane into a stadium, you've got to consider everything because these people have the capability, they have the intent, the motivation.
"They are not crazies; they are well-trained, highly disciplined operatives willing to die for their cause. How do you stop that? You can't.
"That's the environment. I've thought about it for a long time, I've discussed it with colleagues and we all feel the same. I've been talking to sports managers who say they are getting close to saying something (to their athletes) as a conscience thing.
"I'm not saying don't go, but ... somebody has to say something."
Triple Olympian marathon runner Lee Troop said he planned to go to the Games, but some teammates could pull out.
"I'm sure there are going to be some athletes who have probably decided they are not going to go because they feel like it's probably not going to be safe," Troop said.
He said he was 90 per cent sure he would go, but would follow official recommendations.
"At this stage I'd still like to go and I've always had my hand up, but that's not to say if July or August rolls around that I could (not) potentially change my mind or opinion based on other factors that may arise."
Kookaburras star Jamie Dwyer said he felt security "over there" was "not very comforting".
Tennis star Lleyton Hewitt has indicated he is unlikely to go, stating his regular schedule will clash with the Games.
Mr Bromfield said he negotiated with Indian authorities in planning security for the Games, but withdrew his proposal because he was concerned by the potential terror chaos that could occur because of lack of organisation within the ranks of Indian officials.
Security for the Games has been under added scrutiny since 2008's terrorist strikes in Mumbai and the attack last March on Sri Lanka's cricket team while touring Pakistan.
The Australian Federal Police is reportedly planning to send two or more officers to provide security assistance for the 400-plus Australian athletes expected to attend, but Prof Williams thought there should be more.
"My point is maybe we should consider some of our AFP people- people from the Operational Response Group - along with them," he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Travel Advice for India notes "the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups".
Courtesy - Jessica Halloran from Sunday Herald Sun with Evonne Barry
International security consultant Lloyd Bromfield, who has had 10 years' experience at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympic games and who will work on the London Olympics in 2012, said he was alarmed by New Delhi's lack of preparation.
The concerns have been supported by Australian terror expert Prof Clive Williams, who has described the Indians' approach to security as "a bit lackadaisical". Mr Bromfield said he had spoken out about his concerns because it did not sit well on his "conscience" and he feared the worst for athletes if they went to in India.
"Worst-case scenario could be a major bombing," he said. "It could be a Mumbai-style MO where you have a team of Osamas running around with hand grenades and small arms. It could be anything.
"While I wouldn't suggest it would be an airplane into a stadium, you've got to consider everything because these people have the capability, they have the intent, the motivation.
"They are not crazies; they are well-trained, highly disciplined operatives willing to die for their cause. How do you stop that? You can't.
"That's the environment. I've thought about it for a long time, I've discussed it with colleagues and we all feel the same. I've been talking to sports managers who say they are getting close to saying something (to their athletes) as a conscience thing.
"I'm not saying don't go, but ... somebody has to say something."
Triple Olympian marathon runner Lee Troop said he planned to go to the Games, but some teammates could pull out.
"I'm sure there are going to be some athletes who have probably decided they are not going to go because they feel like it's probably not going to be safe," Troop said.
He said he was 90 per cent sure he would go, but would follow official recommendations.
"At this stage I'd still like to go and I've always had my hand up, but that's not to say if July or August rolls around that I could (not) potentially change my mind or opinion based on other factors that may arise."
Kookaburras star Jamie Dwyer said he felt security "over there" was "not very comforting".
Tennis star Lleyton Hewitt has indicated he is unlikely to go, stating his regular schedule will clash with the Games.
Mr Bromfield said he negotiated with Indian authorities in planning security for the Games, but withdrew his proposal because he was concerned by the potential terror chaos that could occur because of lack of organisation within the ranks of Indian officials.
Security for the Games has been under added scrutiny since 2008's terrorist strikes in Mumbai and the attack last March on Sri Lanka's cricket team while touring Pakistan.
The Australian Federal Police is reportedly planning to send two or more officers to provide security assistance for the 400-plus Australian athletes expected to attend, but Prof Williams thought there should be more.
"My point is maybe we should consider some of our AFP people- people from the Operational Response Group - along with them," he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Travel Advice for India notes "the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups".
Courtesy - Jessica Halloran from Sunday Herald Sun with Evonne Barry
Monday, January 4, 2010
Call for Australian armed guards at Delhi Games
Posted January 4 -
The threat of terrorism is looming as a major issue at this year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, with a leading terrorism expert saying Australia should send its own armed guards to look after athletes in the Indian capital.
Professor Clive Williams, from ANU's Strategic and Defence Study Centre, says Australia's team should go to the Games in October, but says it is crucial extra security is sent to protect them.
Meanwhile Athletics Australia says athletes will have the option of turning up just for their own event and then flying out again, to minimise their time in India.
"We should take the kind of security the United States and Israel provides to their athletes at the Olympics and have a dedicated element that goes with them and can provide appropriate protection, liaise with the local authorities and so on," Professor Williams said.
"I think we really need to be able to provide our own security for our own athletes so that if there is a flaw in the Indian security arrangements, we can step in and provide the necessary security."
He says it would be a matter of providing protection to groups of athletes as they move around.
"We're going to have more than 425 athletes at the Games, so that does present a significant problem, but for example if they are going to be moving with vehicles, then they are going to have to have security provided with them," he said.
To do this, Professor Williams thinks Australia needs to supply at least 50 extra security personal independently of the Commonwealth Games organisation.
"We need to be thinking in terms of providing that level of security and these would essentially be armed-response-style people," he said.
He believes attacks at the Games would most likely be against athletes from countries with troops in Afghanistan.
"There are something like 800 active terrorist cells within India and essentially they can mount attacks within the country at any time," he said.
"We need to be conscious of the fact that having troops in Afghanistan will create problems for the teams from England, Canada and Australia."
He believes the level of risk is quite low, but Australia still does have a duty of care to its athletes.
"We should do everything we possibly can and providing that level of security is not hard for us to achieve," he said.
Fly In, Fly Out
Athletics Australia CEO Danny Corcoran says the "fly-in fly-out" arrangement will be offered to athletes who are concerned about the risk of terrorist attacks on the games.
Mr Corcoran says there are no formal arrangements yet, but Athletics Australia will continue to monitor security arrangements in Delhi in the lead-up to October's Games.
"That might very well be an outcome, where athletes express that they would like to come in at the last moment before they compete, and leave as soon as they finish their competition," he said.
"Now, that's certainly something we're flexible about, and if an athlete expressed that wish we would try and accommodate the athlete in some way."
He says such a "fly in, fly out" arrangement has been used at past Games, but not necessarily for security reasons.
"Some athletes have a preference for that (fly in, fly out)," he said.
"They compete internationally all the time and they're used to flying into meets very quickly, competing and then getting out without what they feel might be the distractions of the village and the village life."
Mr Corcoran said given today's world, major events are always seen as potential terrorism targets.
"Certainly that's one of the key areas that we're conscious of, and in particular that athletes may be conscious of, in terms of competing at their very best at an event such as this," he said.
"So again, we are very much relying on the organisers to ensure that there's a safe Games, as we did in Beijing, and that was presented without a hiccup.
"There are security concerns given the world we live in, given the region this event's in, and given some of the history.
"So we're very conscious of the issue, but we are relying on the various authorities, the Commonwealth Games Association plus the Indian government and its resources to provide a safe Games for athletes and officials."
He says individual athletes have not yet come to him with reservations or concerns about security at Delhi.
"It's a little bit early - the team's not picked yet," he said.
"Our major selection trials are in April for this event. Once that takes place, I'm sure that we'll have a forum to enable the athletes to express or register any concerns that they may have, and certainly once we've been cleared by our Government to get the all clear to go, we will work towards ensuring that we meet the needs of the athletes."
He says at this point they are committed to sending a team.
"There's no information to suggest that the situation has reached a [point] where we have to consider pulling out," he said.
"There's certainly none of that ... it certainly hasn't been considered. Before all major events, whether it's been Olympic Games in the past, the Commonwealth Games we've had here in Melbourne, security is one of the most important aspects of hosting a competition."
Courtesy - ABC Grandstand Sport
The threat of terrorism is looming as a major issue at this year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, with a leading terrorism expert saying Australia should send its own armed guards to look after athletes in the Indian capital.
Professor Clive Williams, from ANU's Strategic and Defence Study Centre, says Australia's team should go to the Games in October, but says it is crucial extra security is sent to protect them.
Meanwhile Athletics Australia says athletes will have the option of turning up just for their own event and then flying out again, to minimise their time in India.
"We should take the kind of security the United States and Israel provides to their athletes at the Olympics and have a dedicated element that goes with them and can provide appropriate protection, liaise with the local authorities and so on," Professor Williams said.
"I think we really need to be able to provide our own security for our own athletes so that if there is a flaw in the Indian security arrangements, we can step in and provide the necessary security."
He says it would be a matter of providing protection to groups of athletes as they move around.
"We're going to have more than 425 athletes at the Games, so that does present a significant problem, but for example if they are going to be moving with vehicles, then they are going to have to have security provided with them," he said.
To do this, Professor Williams thinks Australia needs to supply at least 50 extra security personal independently of the Commonwealth Games organisation.
"We need to be thinking in terms of providing that level of security and these would essentially be armed-response-style people," he said.
He believes attacks at the Games would most likely be against athletes from countries with troops in Afghanistan.
"There are something like 800 active terrorist cells within India and essentially they can mount attacks within the country at any time," he said.
"We need to be conscious of the fact that having troops in Afghanistan will create problems for the teams from England, Canada and Australia."
He believes the level of risk is quite low, but Australia still does have a duty of care to its athletes.
"We should do everything we possibly can and providing that level of security is not hard for us to achieve," he said.
Fly In, Fly Out
Athletics Australia CEO Danny Corcoran says the "fly-in fly-out" arrangement will be offered to athletes who are concerned about the risk of terrorist attacks on the games.
Mr Corcoran says there are no formal arrangements yet, but Athletics Australia will continue to monitor security arrangements in Delhi in the lead-up to October's Games.
"That might very well be an outcome, where athletes express that they would like to come in at the last moment before they compete, and leave as soon as they finish their competition," he said.
"Now, that's certainly something we're flexible about, and if an athlete expressed that wish we would try and accommodate the athlete in some way."
He says such a "fly in, fly out" arrangement has been used at past Games, but not necessarily for security reasons.
"Some athletes have a preference for that (fly in, fly out)," he said.
"They compete internationally all the time and they're used to flying into meets very quickly, competing and then getting out without what they feel might be the distractions of the village and the village life."
Mr Corcoran said given today's world, major events are always seen as potential terrorism targets.
"Certainly that's one of the key areas that we're conscious of, and in particular that athletes may be conscious of, in terms of competing at their very best at an event such as this," he said.
"So again, we are very much relying on the organisers to ensure that there's a safe Games, as we did in Beijing, and that was presented without a hiccup.
"There are security concerns given the world we live in, given the region this event's in, and given some of the history.
"So we're very conscious of the issue, but we are relying on the various authorities, the Commonwealth Games Association plus the Indian government and its resources to provide a safe Games for athletes and officials."
He says individual athletes have not yet come to him with reservations or concerns about security at Delhi.
"It's a little bit early - the team's not picked yet," he said.
"Our major selection trials are in April for this event. Once that takes place, I'm sure that we'll have a forum to enable the athletes to express or register any concerns that they may have, and certainly once we've been cleared by our Government to get the all clear to go, we will work towards ensuring that we meet the needs of the athletes."
He says at this point they are committed to sending a team.
"There's no information to suggest that the situation has reached a [point] where we have to consider pulling out," he said.
"There's certainly none of that ... it certainly hasn't been considered. Before all major events, whether it's been Olympic Games in the past, the Commonwealth Games we've had here in Melbourne, security is one of the most important aspects of hosting a competition."
Courtesy - ABC Grandstand Sport
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Aus swimmer D'Arcy casts doubt on 2010 games
SUNSHINE Coast butterflyer Nick D’Arcy says he has been told by Swimming Australia insiders that the 2010 Commonwealth Games may have to be abandoned due to security concerns.
Last night, D’Arcy told the Daily that there was a very real possibility that the Games would have to be moved from host city New Delhi in order for them to go ahead.
The news comes in the wake of British media reports last week that the English team was preparing to pull out for fear of being targeted by Pakistani terrorists.
While English officials hit back at the claims, D’Arcy said information he had received painted a more dire picture.
“To be honest, I haven’t really heard anything from anyone that’s really authoritative,” he said.
“But what I’m hearing from inside Swimming Australia is that India won’t be ready to host the games.
“(Australia) were going to be the fallback (host) but apparently there wasn’t enough time for that to happen.
“Now England is supposed to be the fallback. If it is held there it will completely change the complexion of the games.”
Australian games chief Perry Crosswhite has publicly stated that he expects Australia to field a team in New Delhi, but individual athletes would be free to withdraw.
Reports have also emerged that the Indian capital may not have the infrastructure in place in time for the October 3 opening ceremony.
Following his well-publicised banning from the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2009 World Championships, D’Arcy seems more intent than ever to qualify for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
He said he was trying to maintain a steely gaze on a medal finish in New Delhi and not be distracted by talk of security concerns.
“All I can do is put my head down and train, really,” he said.
“It’s no use worrying about it. We’ll see as we get closer to the camp.
“Right now I have to get the times to get there.”
D’Arcy made a successful return to the Australian team during the World Shortcourse Championships in November last year, beating home American superstar Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly to claim third place.
The 22-year-old said he now had his eye on the Australian Championships in Sydney in March.
He hopes to swim well enough to claim a place in the Commonwealth Games team in his pet event, the 200m butterfly.
Courtesy - Steve Zemek
Last night, D’Arcy told the Daily that there was a very real possibility that the Games would have to be moved from host city New Delhi in order for them to go ahead.
The news comes in the wake of British media reports last week that the English team was preparing to pull out for fear of being targeted by Pakistani terrorists.
While English officials hit back at the claims, D’Arcy said information he had received painted a more dire picture.
“To be honest, I haven’t really heard anything from anyone that’s really authoritative,” he said.
“But what I’m hearing from inside Swimming Australia is that India won’t be ready to host the games.
“(Australia) were going to be the fallback (host) but apparently there wasn’t enough time for that to happen.
“Now England is supposed to be the fallback. If it is held there it will completely change the complexion of the games.”
Australian games chief Perry Crosswhite has publicly stated that he expects Australia to field a team in New Delhi, but individual athletes would be free to withdraw.
Reports have also emerged that the Indian capital may not have the infrastructure in place in time for the October 3 opening ceremony.
Following his well-publicised banning from the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2009 World Championships, D’Arcy seems more intent than ever to qualify for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
He said he was trying to maintain a steely gaze on a medal finish in New Delhi and not be distracted by talk of security concerns.
“All I can do is put my head down and train, really,” he said.
“It’s no use worrying about it. We’ll see as we get closer to the camp.
“Right now I have to get the times to get there.”
D’Arcy made a successful return to the Australian team during the World Shortcourse Championships in November last year, beating home American superstar Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly to claim third place.
The 22-year-old said he now had his eye on the Australian Championships in Sydney in March.
He hopes to swim well enough to claim a place in the Commonwealth Games team in his pet event, the 200m butterfly.
Courtesy - Steve Zemek
England deny Games pullout report, says ‘full steam ahead’ for Delhi
British government and sporting officials Wednesday assured India that no British team will pull out of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi after a newspaper said the England squad was so worried about Pakistani terrorists it was opting out.
Both government sources and sports officials denied reports in the Daily Telegraph, which quoted an unnamed senior British official as saying there was virtually no chance of an England squad being sent for the 2010 Games.
“That is definitely not the case. Our strong intention is to field a team in Delhi next year,” said Commonwealth Games England (CGE) head Ann Hogbin.
CGE marketing director Duncan Lewis added: “This is not something where you make a one-off snap decision a period of time out from the Games at the moment, we are full steam ahead for Delhi.
The foreign ministry in London said it has not told any of the four British teams - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - to stay away from the Game.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office statement said: “We are aware that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had some concerns about preparations for the Games.
“We continue to work closely with the Indian authorities who are doing everything they can to ensure a safe and secure Games.”
In New Delhi, the chairman of the Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi said: “There is no truth in it. We have not received any official intimation to this effect.
“The Security Commanders meeting was held at the Home Ministry recently and all Commonwealth Games Associations were satisfied with the security arrangements outlined for the Games.
A foolproof security was discussed for the Games during the security liaison conference in New Delhi in September,” he added.
Experts from 26 of the 71 participating nations, including England, Australia and New Zealand, took part in the conference and were satisfied with the preparations.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Metropolitan Police Commissioner Paul Stephenson, who visited New Delhi earlier this month to inspect the Games sites, had voiced “serious concerns” about the security arrangements.
The newspaper report sent officials in India and Britain in a flap, with memories still fresh of England’s controversial pullout from the World Badminton Championships in Hyderabad in August.
Although the event passed without an incident and other British teams stayed back, sporting officials in New Delhi were furious.
Hogbin, who has worked at nine Commonwealth Games, said: “Despite having been given extensive briefings from relevant authorities we have not received any indication that we should not participate in the Games and we will continue to work hard to put in place the best possible arrangements for our team.”
England’s chef de mission Craig Hunter, who was in Delhi for 18 days in October, added: “At no point during the 18 days did I feel any sense of threat or uncertainty walking down the street.
Australia’s Commonwealth Games chief Perry Crosswhite told the BBC: “I’m not a security expert, but India have employed people that are and the reports are good.”
“I have not had one athlete, one manager, one coach, contact me with the view that they shouldn’t be going.”
However, a crowded sporting calender has prompted some leading English athletes to opt out. They include world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle and heptathletes Jessica Ennis, who won the world title in August, and Kelly Sotherton, the reigning Commonwealth champion.
Courtesy - Dipankar De Sarkar & Abhishek Roy, IANS
Both government sources and sports officials denied reports in the Daily Telegraph, which quoted an unnamed senior British official as saying there was virtually no chance of an England squad being sent for the 2010 Games.
“That is definitely not the case. Our strong intention is to field a team in Delhi next year,” said Commonwealth Games England (CGE) head Ann Hogbin.
CGE marketing director Duncan Lewis added: “This is not something where you make a one-off snap decision a period of time out from the Games at the moment, we are full steam ahead for Delhi.
The foreign ministry in London said it has not told any of the four British teams - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - to stay away from the Game.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office statement said: “We are aware that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had some concerns about preparations for the Games.
“We continue to work closely with the Indian authorities who are doing everything they can to ensure a safe and secure Games.”
In New Delhi, the chairman of the Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi said: “There is no truth in it. We have not received any official intimation to this effect.
“The Security Commanders meeting was held at the Home Ministry recently and all Commonwealth Games Associations were satisfied with the security arrangements outlined for the Games.
A foolproof security was discussed for the Games during the security liaison conference in New Delhi in September,” he added.
Experts from 26 of the 71 participating nations, including England, Australia and New Zealand, took part in the conference and were satisfied with the preparations.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Metropolitan Police Commissioner Paul Stephenson, who visited New Delhi earlier this month to inspect the Games sites, had voiced “serious concerns” about the security arrangements.
The newspaper report sent officials in India and Britain in a flap, with memories still fresh of England’s controversial pullout from the World Badminton Championships in Hyderabad in August.
Although the event passed without an incident and other British teams stayed back, sporting officials in New Delhi were furious.
Hogbin, who has worked at nine Commonwealth Games, said: “Despite having been given extensive briefings from relevant authorities we have not received any indication that we should not participate in the Games and we will continue to work hard to put in place the best possible arrangements for our team.”
England’s chef de mission Craig Hunter, who was in Delhi for 18 days in October, added: “At no point during the 18 days did I feel any sense of threat or uncertainty walking down the street.
Australia’s Commonwealth Games chief Perry Crosswhite told the BBC: “I’m not a security expert, but India have employed people that are and the reports are good.”
“I have not had one athlete, one manager, one coach, contact me with the view that they shouldn’t be going.”
However, a crowded sporting calender has prompted some leading English athletes to opt out. They include world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle and heptathletes Jessica Ennis, who won the world title in August, and Kelly Sotherton, the reigning Commonwealth champion.
Courtesy - Dipankar De Sarkar & Abhishek Roy, IANS
Delhi Police is gearing up for 2010 Commonwealth Games
Commissioner of Delhi Police Y. S. Dadwal on Saturday said that the department is making massive recruitments for the upcoming Commonwealth Games even as the rate of certain crimes dwindled last year in the national capital.
Addressing a press conference, Dadwal said: Lots of our posts were sanctioned for the Commonwealth Games and new police stations alsoso we had to resort to massive recruitment drives and upgrade our training capacity from four and a half to 8,000. 6,244 constables were trained in this year, now 6449 will join. Another batch of 6718 will join from June 1. They will be given some training so that they could be of help to us during the Commonwealth Games.
Dadwal further said that the incidence of heinous crimes came down by 2.97 percent last year, and motorcycle borne cases, though in the limelight, have actually come down by three percent.
He also informed that the detection of heinous offences, which he also labeled as the strongest point of the Delhi Police, has also gone up by 88 percent to 89 percent.
The commissioner also said there has been an improvement in clearing pending cases.
Cases pending under investigation are down by 27 percent. This is a substantial achievement. We laid a lot of emphasis on this. I personally went to districts, and we reviewed this matter in every crime review meeting. We laid emphasis on it that not only should the cases be worked out, but the cases should also be put in the court at the earliest, he said.
Courtesy - Asian News International (ANI)
Addressing a press conference, Dadwal said: Lots of our posts were sanctioned for the Commonwealth Games and new police stations alsoso we had to resort to massive recruitment drives and upgrade our training capacity from four and a half to 8,000. 6,244 constables were trained in this year, now 6449 will join. Another batch of 6718 will join from June 1. They will be given some training so that they could be of help to us during the Commonwealth Games.
Dadwal further said that the incidence of heinous crimes came down by 2.97 percent last year, and motorcycle borne cases, though in the limelight, have actually come down by three percent.
He also informed that the detection of heinous offences, which he also labeled as the strongest point of the Delhi Police, has also gone up by 88 percent to 89 percent.
The commissioner also said there has been an improvement in clearing pending cases.
Cases pending under investigation are down by 27 percent. This is a substantial achievement. We laid a lot of emphasis on this. I personally went to districts, and we reviewed this matter in every crime review meeting. We laid emphasis on it that not only should the cases be worked out, but the cases should also be put in the court at the earliest, he said.
Courtesy - Asian News International (ANI)
Friday, January 1, 2010
MCD campaign in run up to Games : 'Lets get ready'
"Let's get ready" — a new multi-media civic awareness campaign of the MCD will appeal to citizens to welcome sportspersons and visitors to a clean and green Delhi during the Commonwealth Games later this year.
People who spit, urinate, throw polybags or litter in public places will get a civic sense message, starting next week, from the corporation for which a series of five advertisements have been created.
Using Mahatma Gandhi's message "cleanliness is next to godliness" and animation characters, the advertisements present the basic theme " Delhi ki beauty, hum sabki duty (Ensuring a beautiful Delhi is our duty)".
"The different characters in the ads depict various bad civic habits. The ads have been created in such a way that people feel embarrassed while indulging in such behaviour," an MCD official said.
The billboards will have messages like " su su (urine) kumar na bane ", " thu thu (spit) kumar na bane ", " kuda (garbage) kumar na bane " or " poly (polythene) aunty/uncle na bane " to stop people from urinating or spitting in public places, throwing garbage on roads or using polybags.
The advertisements say, "Hosting an international event like Commonwealth Games is a matter of pride" and "Together, let's get ready to welcome sports persons, delegates and sports lovers from various countries to a clean and green Delhi".
Courtesy - Times of India
People who spit, urinate, throw polybags or litter in public places will get a civic sense message, starting next week, from the corporation for which a series of five advertisements have been created.
Using Mahatma Gandhi's message "cleanliness is next to godliness" and animation characters, the advertisements present the basic theme " Delhi ki beauty, hum sabki duty (Ensuring a beautiful Delhi is our duty)".
"The different characters in the ads depict various bad civic habits. The ads have been created in such a way that people feel embarrassed while indulging in such behaviour," an MCD official said.
The billboards will have messages like " su su (urine) kumar na bane ", " thu thu (spit) kumar na bane ", " kuda (garbage) kumar na bane " or " poly (polythene) aunty/uncle na bane " to stop people from urinating or spitting in public places, throwing garbage on roads or using polybags.
The advertisements say, "Hosting an international event like Commonwealth Games is a matter of pride" and "Together, let's get ready to welcome sports persons, delegates and sports lovers from various countries to a clean and green Delhi".
Courtesy - Times of India
Delhi Contemplating Closing Down Industrial Units for ‘Clean’ Commonwealth Games 2010
Struggling to get things sorted out and in place for the Commonwealth Games which start on October 3, 2010, the Delhi government is contemplating closure of industrial units in order to improve air quality of the city which has improved only slightly after introduction of CNG-powered public transport few years ago.
Taking cue from China’s quite successful endeavor to provide satisfactory air quality the Mayor of New Delhi, Mr. Kanwar Sain has suggested the government that the worst polluters of the city be identified and be asked to stop operations a month prior to the Games.
Although the introduction of CNG powered vehicles and expansion of Metro rail in New Delhi has resulted in noticeable improvement in the air quality, emissions output from industrial units continues to be a major problem. Few years back, the government forced small industrial units out of residential areas which resulted in slight improvement in the air quality however, there are still large industrial clusters present in the city which do not always stick to the emission rules put down by the Central Pollution Control Board.
Courtesy - Mridul Chadha
Taking cue from China’s quite successful endeavor to provide satisfactory air quality the Mayor of New Delhi, Mr. Kanwar Sain has suggested the government that the worst polluters of the city be identified and be asked to stop operations a month prior to the Games.
Although the introduction of CNG powered vehicles and expansion of Metro rail in New Delhi has resulted in noticeable improvement in the air quality, emissions output from industrial units continues to be a major problem. Few years back, the government forced small industrial units out of residential areas which resulted in slight improvement in the air quality however, there are still large industrial clusters present in the city which do not always stick to the emission rules put down by the Central Pollution Control Board.
Courtesy - Mridul Chadha
Delhi is one of the hottest destinations of 2010
For the last five years, Delhi has been gearing up for its moment in the sun — the Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in October 2010.
From ministers to bureaucrats to the man on the street, we have heard them all wax eloquent about the surge of tourists expected to hit the Capital.
On eve of the New Year, several international travel websites and airlines, including the Lonely Planet, listed Delhi as one of the top 10 destinations for the year.
Calling it one of the best times to visit the Capital, Lonely Planet describes the preparations for Commonwealth Games in upbeat terms: “The Games put this vibrant, chaotic Capital in the global spotlight, and the last few years have seen Delhi streamlined (as far as the unruly city can be) with a flurry of new infrastructure, including a new metro system and a flashy Games village.”
Delhi has lot of competition though.
The Lonely Planet’s list includes watching total eclipse from Easter Island; FIFA World Cup, which for the first time is coming to Africa; Santiago Pilgrimage in Spain, especially since it is the Holy Year; the World Expo in Beijing; the Peking to Paris Motor Race where most participants drive vintage cars and the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
The other favourite among Indian destinations is the Pushkar camel fair in Rajasthan.
The British Airways, too, listed Delhi as one of hottest destinations. “The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be a huge attraction, with Delhi playing the first time host to the Games,” the report states. The World Travel Guide, another renowned publication, lists Delhi as one of the most sought after destinations.
Chief Minister Sheila Diskhit is elated with the listings. “Delhi is an attractive city, a unique mix of history and modern,” she said. “And we are working hard to make it much more comfortable and culturally cityive city.”
Courtesy - Indian Express
From ministers to bureaucrats to the man on the street, we have heard them all wax eloquent about the surge of tourists expected to hit the Capital.
On eve of the New Year, several international travel websites and airlines, including the Lonely Planet, listed Delhi as one of the top 10 destinations for the year.
Calling it one of the best times to visit the Capital, Lonely Planet describes the preparations for Commonwealth Games in upbeat terms: “The Games put this vibrant, chaotic Capital in the global spotlight, and the last few years have seen Delhi streamlined (as far as the unruly city can be) with a flurry of new infrastructure, including a new metro system and a flashy Games village.”
Delhi has lot of competition though.
The Lonely Planet’s list includes watching total eclipse from Easter Island; FIFA World Cup, which for the first time is coming to Africa; Santiago Pilgrimage in Spain, especially since it is the Holy Year; the World Expo in Beijing; the Peking to Paris Motor Race where most participants drive vintage cars and the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
The other favourite among Indian destinations is the Pushkar camel fair in Rajasthan.
The British Airways, too, listed Delhi as one of hottest destinations. “The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be a huge attraction, with Delhi playing the first time host to the Games,” the report states. The World Travel Guide, another renowned publication, lists Delhi as one of the most sought after destinations.
Chief Minister Sheila Diskhit is elated with the listings. “Delhi is an attractive city, a unique mix of history and modern,” she said. “And we are working hard to make it much more comfortable and culturally cityive city.”
Courtesy - Indian Express
Realty sector turns the corner : Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010
Infrastructure development, fuelled by the upcoming Commonwealth Games, has ensured that Delhi is emerging as the most preferred real estate market in the country.
After a less than perfect start to 2009 — the global economic meltdown took its toll — the road to recovery has been quick and lucrative.
The experts agree: a report released by Ernst & Young in November listed Delhi as the “most preferred market” in India, followed closely by Mumbai.
Some of the factors that pushed Delhi to the coveted spot, as highlighted by the report, include massive improvements in infrastructure — a well-connected metro service, a modern International airport, road widening projects, new flyovers, underpasses, walkways and high capacity buses.
Another report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers and the Urban Land Institute has listed India as a top real estate investment market in Asia in 2010 with a particular focus on Delhi.
“In 2009, demand went down rapidly due to a variety of reasons including the political situation in the country and the global slowdown,” said Anuj Puri, Chairman and Country Head of Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj. “Speculators, investors and end-users were not stepping out. Office space realty had come to a screeching halt. But certain measures introduced by the government helped markets recover their footing by October.”
While 2010 promises to be better, nervousness still abounds. “As prices rise, one of the challenges ahead will be to avoid the bubble scenario,” Puri said. “If prices continue to rise very rapidly, end-users may curb buying.”
While 2010 will be no 2007 — the golden year of the Capital’s real estate sector — it promises to bring increased spending by both investors and end-users. Experts hope affordable housing will be the mantra and office space market will pick up by the second quarter when multinationals intend to revitalise the outsourcing industry.
“The Games are a huge factor. The improved quality of life will certainly ensure greater stability and activity in the realty circuit,” Puri said.
Even the Delhi Development Authority, the Capital’s largest land owner, hopes that 2010 will bring better news. Attempts to sell commercial space in 2009 did not work out so well, but that may change. “We intend to put up shops and commercial units for sale in 2010. As far as housing goes, many units will be ready for allotment in the second half of the year,” a senior official said.
Courtesy - Indian Express
After a less than perfect start to 2009 — the global economic meltdown took its toll — the road to recovery has been quick and lucrative.
The experts agree: a report released by Ernst & Young in November listed Delhi as the “most preferred market” in India, followed closely by Mumbai.
Some of the factors that pushed Delhi to the coveted spot, as highlighted by the report, include massive improvements in infrastructure — a well-connected metro service, a modern International airport, road widening projects, new flyovers, underpasses, walkways and high capacity buses.
Another report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers and the Urban Land Institute has listed India as a top real estate investment market in Asia in 2010 with a particular focus on Delhi.
“In 2009, demand went down rapidly due to a variety of reasons including the political situation in the country and the global slowdown,” said Anuj Puri, Chairman and Country Head of Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj. “Speculators, investors and end-users were not stepping out. Office space realty had come to a screeching halt. But certain measures introduced by the government helped markets recover their footing by October.”
While 2010 promises to be better, nervousness still abounds. “As prices rise, one of the challenges ahead will be to avoid the bubble scenario,” Puri said. “If prices continue to rise very rapidly, end-users may curb buying.”
While 2010 will be no 2007 — the golden year of the Capital’s real estate sector — it promises to bring increased spending by both investors and end-users. Experts hope affordable housing will be the mantra and office space market will pick up by the second quarter when multinationals intend to revitalise the outsourcing industry.
“The Games are a huge factor. The improved quality of life will certainly ensure greater stability and activity in the realty circuit,” Puri said.
Even the Delhi Development Authority, the Capital’s largest land owner, hopes that 2010 will bring better news. Attempts to sell commercial space in 2009 did not work out so well, but that may change. “We intend to put up shops and commercial units for sale in 2010. As far as housing goes, many units will be ready for allotment in the second half of the year,” a senior official said.
Courtesy - Indian Express
India Assures Tight Security for Commonwealth Games
New Delhi Commonwealth Games organizers have assured the event will be subject to tight security after a London newspaper reported there was "virtually no chance" England will send its team next year.
"Providing security and a safe and secure environment for the athletes, visiting officials and tourists for the Commonwealth Games 2010 would be top priority for the Indian Government, Delhi administration and the organizing committee of the Commonwealth Games," Suresh Kalmadi, head of the 2010 organizing committee said in a statement Wednesday.
Mr. Kalmadi's comments came hours after England's Commonwealth Games officials told The Associated Press they have received no security warnings to indicate the team must withdraw from the New Delhi event next year because its athletes could be targeted by terrorists.
England general team manager Ann Hogbin denied a front page report in Wednesday's edition of the Daily Telegraph that claimed there was "virtually no chance" an England team would be sent.
An online version of the report quoted unnamed political sources as saying that the formal pullout would be announced in the new year because safety could not be guaranteed.
Mr. Kalmadi said that security plans for the games, scheduled for Oct. 3-14 next year, had already been discussed with India's home ministry and all the Commonwealth games associations "were satisfied with the security arrangements outlined for the games."
Security for the games has been under scrutiny since last year's terrorist strikes in Mumbai and the March attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team in neighboring Pakistan.
Safety concerns and lax security were cited this year when England's badminton team pulled out of the world championships in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, and Australia refused to play a Davis Cup match in Chennai.
The Commonwealth Games are set to be the biggest multiple-sport event staged in India since the 1982 Asian Games. It is expected to feature more than 8,000 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories which comprised or were linked to the former British empire.
Courtesy - Associated Press
"Providing security and a safe and secure environment for the athletes, visiting officials and tourists for the Commonwealth Games 2010 would be top priority for the Indian Government, Delhi administration and the organizing committee of the Commonwealth Games," Suresh Kalmadi, head of the 2010 organizing committee said in a statement Wednesday.
Mr. Kalmadi's comments came hours after England's Commonwealth Games officials told The Associated Press they have received no security warnings to indicate the team must withdraw from the New Delhi event next year because its athletes could be targeted by terrorists.
England general team manager Ann Hogbin denied a front page report in Wednesday's edition of the Daily Telegraph that claimed there was "virtually no chance" an England team would be sent.
An online version of the report quoted unnamed political sources as saying that the formal pullout would be announced in the new year because safety could not be guaranteed.
Mr. Kalmadi said that security plans for the games, scheduled for Oct. 3-14 next year, had already been discussed with India's home ministry and all the Commonwealth games associations "were satisfied with the security arrangements outlined for the games."
Security for the games has been under scrutiny since last year's terrorist strikes in Mumbai and the March attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team in neighboring Pakistan.
Safety concerns and lax security were cited this year when England's badminton team pulled out of the world championships in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, and Australia refused to play a Davis Cup match in Chennai.
The Commonwealth Games are set to be the biggest multiple-sport event staged in India since the 1982 Asian Games. It is expected to feature more than 8,000 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories which comprised or were linked to the former British empire.
Courtesy - Associated Press
CM Dikshit : Help make CWG a grand success
hief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday appealed to Delhiites to render their constructive cooperation in making the Commonwealth Games a grand success.
In a new year message, Dikshit also wished the citizens all the very best and expressed confidence that 2010 will bring happiness, prosperity and peace to the city.
She said the infrastructure being commissioned in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games will become an integral part of its legacy.
The city will host the mega sporting event from October 3 to 14 next year.
Courtesy - Times of India
In a new year message, Dikshit also wished the citizens all the very best and expressed confidence that 2010 will bring happiness, prosperity and peace to the city.
She said the infrastructure being commissioned in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games will become an integral part of its legacy.
The city will host the mega sporting event from October 3 to 14 next year.
Courtesy - Times of India
Australia to send 600-strong delegation for 2010 CWG
n what would come as music to the ears of an embattled Organising Committee, Australia is planning to send its largest-ever delegation of over 600 athletes and officials, including Olympic and world champions, for next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
"Australia is planning to send a full team of over 600 athletes, coaches, managers, medicos and officials. The team will be the largest ever to compete in an overseas Commonwealth Games campaign with the first round of team nominations including the provisional selection of eight track and field athletes, including world champions Steve Hooker and Dani Samuels," Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) said in a statement.
Pole vaulter Hooker is a gold medallist from the Beijing Olympics where he set an Olympic record of 6.06m. Samuels is the youngest ever female discus thrower to become a world champion.
ACGA CEO Perry Crosswhite said not a single athlete has raised any security concerns about travelling to India.
"To date the questions have been about the weather predictions and the sports venues, and, of course, what the food and the village are going to be like," he said.
Crosswhite also welcomed England's rebuttal of the media reports saying that English athletes would not be taking part in the event fearing terror strikes during the Games.
"I am very pleased to hear that England has confirmed that it will send a full team Delhi," Crosswhite said.
"Australia is looking forward to renewing the traditional England-Australia rivalry at the Indian hosted Commonwealth Games and I expect that the competition as to which nation will win the most medals will be closer than ever," he added.
Crosswhite said media reports which cast doubts on the Games' success without even quoting their sources should not be given much importance.
"It is indeed unfortunate that such prominence has been given to a media report, particularly as the source was unnamed.
"Having returned from Delhi several weeks ago where I received a substantial briefing on security measures both planned and in place for the Games, I believe that those responsible for Games security in Delhi are doing everything they can to ensure a successful Games," Crosswhite said.
To be held from October 3 to 14, the 2010 Commonwealth Games will have 19 sports on the program, making it the largest Games to date.
Courtesy - Times of India
"Australia is planning to send a full team of over 600 athletes, coaches, managers, medicos and officials. The team will be the largest ever to compete in an overseas Commonwealth Games campaign with the first round of team nominations including the provisional selection of eight track and field athletes, including world champions Steve Hooker and Dani Samuels," Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) said in a statement.
Pole vaulter Hooker is a gold medallist from the Beijing Olympics where he set an Olympic record of 6.06m. Samuels is the youngest ever female discus thrower to become a world champion.
ACGA CEO Perry Crosswhite said not a single athlete has raised any security concerns about travelling to India.
"To date the questions have been about the weather predictions and the sports venues, and, of course, what the food and the village are going to be like," he said.
Crosswhite also welcomed England's rebuttal of the media reports saying that English athletes would not be taking part in the event fearing terror strikes during the Games.
"I am very pleased to hear that England has confirmed that it will send a full team Delhi," Crosswhite said.
"Australia is looking forward to renewing the traditional England-Australia rivalry at the Indian hosted Commonwealth Games and I expect that the competition as to which nation will win the most medals will be closer than ever," he added.
Crosswhite said media reports which cast doubts on the Games' success without even quoting their sources should not be given much importance.
"It is indeed unfortunate that such prominence has been given to a media report, particularly as the source was unnamed.
"Having returned from Delhi several weeks ago where I received a substantial briefing on security measures both planned and in place for the Games, I believe that those responsible for Games security in Delhi are doing everything they can to ensure a successful Games," Crosswhite said.
To be held from October 3 to 14, the 2010 Commonwealth Games will have 19 sports on the program, making it the largest Games to date.
Courtesy - Times of India
England chief says team will travel to 2010 Delhi games
England will make a final decision on their participation at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in September, but currently have no major security concerns over the Delhi event.
A Daily Telegraph report yesterday quoted a senior Whitehall source saying there was "virtually no chance" an England team would be sent to India. But while admitting security is of paramount concern, the England team's chef de mission, Craig Hunter, is optimistic that the Games, which are scheduled to take place from 3-14 October will be a success.
"Obviously we've been looking at security as one of the most important factors in determining whether the team will participate next October," Hunter said. "It's something that we will make a decision about once we have the appropriate intelligence. But at this point in time we've not seen anything that would suggest we would not be participating and we continue to be very excited about the prospects of participating in Delhi next year."
The England team has been in regular discussions with the British High Commission in Delhi, the Metropolitan Police, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office as well as fellow home nations Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey over security in India. "We'll be making a judgement as to whether it's appropriate to compete, probably at the beginning of September, certainly not in December," Hunter added.
A number of high-profile names from the home nations will be absent from the 8,000 athletes from 71 nations due to compete in Delhi, but only because of the sporting calendar. Cycling's road world championships in Melbourne, the European athletics championships in Barcelona and the world gymnastics championships in Rotterdam are among the events taking place close to the Games.
That places doubts over the participation of the likes of cyclists Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins, athletes Jessica Ennis, Kelly Sotherton, Phillips Idowu and Paula Radcliffe, as well as England's world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle. But no one has voiced their non-participation at the Games due to security fears. "The only athletes who are considering not competing are those with direct competition clashes," Hunter said.
Courtesy - Matt McGeehan (The Independent)
A Daily Telegraph report yesterday quoted a senior Whitehall source saying there was "virtually no chance" an England team would be sent to India. But while admitting security is of paramount concern, the England team's chef de mission, Craig Hunter, is optimistic that the Games, which are scheduled to take place from 3-14 October will be a success.
"Obviously we've been looking at security as one of the most important factors in determining whether the team will participate next October," Hunter said. "It's something that we will make a decision about once we have the appropriate intelligence. But at this point in time we've not seen anything that would suggest we would not be participating and we continue to be very excited about the prospects of participating in Delhi next year."
The England team has been in regular discussions with the British High Commission in Delhi, the Metropolitan Police, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office as well as fellow home nations Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey over security in India. "We'll be making a judgement as to whether it's appropriate to compete, probably at the beginning of September, certainly not in December," Hunter added.
A number of high-profile names from the home nations will be absent from the 8,000 athletes from 71 nations due to compete in Delhi, but only because of the sporting calendar. Cycling's road world championships in Melbourne, the European athletics championships in Barcelona and the world gymnastics championships in Rotterdam are among the events taking place close to the Games.
That places doubts over the participation of the likes of cyclists Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins, athletes Jessica Ennis, Kelly Sotherton, Phillips Idowu and Paula Radcliffe, as well as England's world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle. But no one has voiced their non-participation at the Games due to security fears. "The only athletes who are considering not competing are those with direct competition clashes," Hunter said.
Courtesy - Matt McGeehan (The Independent)
Lots in store for Indian sports in 2010
A very busy schedule beckons Indian sportspersons in 2010 which will see two of the biggest sports events to be organised in the country - the FIH Hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.
The year will also see the conduct of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou in China, and competition and the hosts, having topped the last Olympic Games held in their backyard, are sure to pull out all stops to keep their domination in most disciplines intact.
The nation's legion of cricket fans would be keeping their fingers crossed that the threshold Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men passed by mounting the peak of the Test ratings for the first time would urge them to reach even greater heights.
The first major sports of the year is the Hockey World Cup, slated from February 28-March 13 in New Delhi. It would be a litmus test not only for the host nation but also their foreign coach Jose Brasa to show the sport's followers that India still belonged to this level.
Indian hockey has teetered from one disaster to another over the years and the fans, dwindling after each setback, are fervently hoping that the team turns the corner and starts the hard climb back to the top of the heap.
No longer among the top 10 hockey playing nations, the World Cup - being held only for the second time in the country - offers India the ideal chance to get back among the elite men's teams with the support of home crowd.
While the players have struggled on the hockey field, the administrators have done no better off it. A new body to control the game in the country - Hockey India - is yet to show signs of having taken charge of running the game well.
The Nationals had been given the go-by for the last few years by the now suspended Indian Hockey Federation and the players and followers are looking forward to HI having an elected body of representatives at the earliest leading to a revival of the game at the domestic level.
The October 3-14 Commonwealth Games, also in Delhi, would see top-class action in the priority disciplines of athletics and swimming.
With countries like Australia, England, Canada, Jamaica and Kenya and South Africa, to name a few, aiming for rich pickings in track and field, India's athletes have their task cut out not to end up also-rans in this high-quality field.
The administrators, racing against time to complete the venues which are behind schedule, have an equally tough task of conducting an error-free Games with the world media in attendance to single out even small glitches.
In cricket India have the World T20 to look forward to from April end to show their mettle after a disastrous outing in England this year.
The willow game will make its debut in the Asiad in China and the fans would not be content with anything less than a gold medal.
The team also has the chance to show its superiority at home and abroad against South Africa in the same year.
The Proteas are set to tour India for two Tests and three ODIs in February while the reciprocal series would be held in December in South Africa.
Visits by Australia, for a seven-match ODI rubber, and New Zealand (full series of Tests and limited overs games) are also on the anvil in October-November.
Chess great Vishwanathan Anand is to defend his world crown in Sofia, Bulgaria in April against the host country's Veselin Topalov and the Indian fans of the 64-square game are awaiting the retention of his title.
Courtesy - Times of India
The year will also see the conduct of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou in China, and competition and the hosts, having topped the last Olympic Games held in their backyard, are sure to pull out all stops to keep their domination in most disciplines intact.
The nation's legion of cricket fans would be keeping their fingers crossed that the threshold Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men passed by mounting the peak of the Test ratings for the first time would urge them to reach even greater heights.
The first major sports of the year is the Hockey World Cup, slated from February 28-March 13 in New Delhi. It would be a litmus test not only for the host nation but also their foreign coach Jose Brasa to show the sport's followers that India still belonged to this level.
Indian hockey has teetered from one disaster to another over the years and the fans, dwindling after each setback, are fervently hoping that the team turns the corner and starts the hard climb back to the top of the heap.
No longer among the top 10 hockey playing nations, the World Cup - being held only for the second time in the country - offers India the ideal chance to get back among the elite men's teams with the support of home crowd.
While the players have struggled on the hockey field, the administrators have done no better off it. A new body to control the game in the country - Hockey India - is yet to show signs of having taken charge of running the game well.
The Nationals had been given the go-by for the last few years by the now suspended Indian Hockey Federation and the players and followers are looking forward to HI having an elected body of representatives at the earliest leading to a revival of the game at the domestic level.
The October 3-14 Commonwealth Games, also in Delhi, would see top-class action in the priority disciplines of athletics and swimming.
With countries like Australia, England, Canada, Jamaica and Kenya and South Africa, to name a few, aiming for rich pickings in track and field, India's athletes have their task cut out not to end up also-rans in this high-quality field.
The administrators, racing against time to complete the venues which are behind schedule, have an equally tough task of conducting an error-free Games with the world media in attendance to single out even small glitches.
In cricket India have the World T20 to look forward to from April end to show their mettle after a disastrous outing in England this year.
The willow game will make its debut in the Asiad in China and the fans would not be content with anything less than a gold medal.
The team also has the chance to show its superiority at home and abroad against South Africa in the same year.
The Proteas are set to tour India for two Tests and three ODIs in February while the reciprocal series would be held in December in South Africa.
Visits by Australia, for a seven-match ODI rubber, and New Zealand (full series of Tests and limited overs games) are also on the anvil in October-November.
Chess great Vishwanathan Anand is to defend his world crown in Sofia, Bulgaria in April against the host country's Veselin Topalov and the Indian fans of the 64-square game are awaiting the retention of his title.
Courtesy - Times of India
Scotland will not boycott Delhi Commonwealth Games over security fears
SCOTLAND will not be pulling out of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi after claims England would not send a team to India.
Reports yesterday claimed the English would be absent because of security concerns.
But the chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland dismissed possible security fears and claimed that both Scotland and England would be sending athletes to the Indian capital in October.
Michael Cavanagh said: "As it stands right now, we will be sending a team to Delhi and I can't see any reason why that should change."
All of the Home Nations are getting advice from the counter-terrorism branch in London and we get regular briefings on the situation.
"We were at the games assembly in Delhi in October where we saw for ourselves the security measures in place. Right now, we don't have any particular security concerns.
"We are obviously aware that at a major games, security is a big issue but that is just part of the world we live in today, and although we have no security concerns about Delhi, we will continue to receive advice from the counter terrorism people."
Scotland and England have had teams at every games in their 80-year history.
Yesterday,Englandmanager Ann Hogbin denied there would be a withdrawal. She said: "Our current and strong intention is to field a team for the games in Delhi 2010."
India has been targeted by terrorists in recent times.
A convoy carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team to a match in Lahore, Pakistan, was attacked by gunmen who left eight Pakistanis dead and six Sri Lankan's injured.
As a result, the Indian Premier League tournament was moved to Sri Lanka.
And England withdrew from the World Badminton Championships in Hyderabad in August after terror threats.
The worst atrocity in recent times was when 170 people were killed at several sites around Mumbai in November 2008.
Courtesy - David Taylor (Daily Record)
Reports yesterday claimed the English would be absent because of security concerns.
But the chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland dismissed possible security fears and claimed that both Scotland and England would be sending athletes to the Indian capital in October.
Michael Cavanagh said: "As it stands right now, we will be sending a team to Delhi and I can't see any reason why that should change."
All of the Home Nations are getting advice from the counter-terrorism branch in London and we get regular briefings on the situation.
"We were at the games assembly in Delhi in October where we saw for ourselves the security measures in place. Right now, we don't have any particular security concerns.
"We are obviously aware that at a major games, security is a big issue but that is just part of the world we live in today, and although we have no security concerns about Delhi, we will continue to receive advice from the counter terrorism people."
Scotland and England have had teams at every games in their 80-year history.
Yesterday,Englandmanager Ann Hogbin denied there would be a withdrawal. She said: "Our current and strong intention is to field a team for the games in Delhi 2010."
India has been targeted by terrorists in recent times.
A convoy carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team to a match in Lahore, Pakistan, was attacked by gunmen who left eight Pakistanis dead and six Sri Lankan's injured.
As a result, the Indian Premier League tournament was moved to Sri Lanka.
And England withdrew from the World Badminton Championships in Hyderabad in August after terror threats.
The worst atrocity in recent times was when 170 people were killed at several sites around Mumbai in November 2008.
Courtesy - David Taylor (Daily Record)
'Shera' visits Gurgaon mall
Shera, the mascot of the Commonwealth Games-2010, was brought to a mall in Gurgaon on Wednesday, spreading smiles and encouraging people to be a part of next year's games.
Shera distributed chocolates and merrily mingled with the curious shoppers, shaking hands and posing for a quick shot.
"It's good if Shera roams around and meets more people as there are few months left for the Commonwealth Games and this is a good way to promote the event. I feel that everyone should know that India is hosting such a grand event and the preparations are in full swing. We all are looking forward to it, " said Shikha, a visitor.
"We have taken Shera to the common man, the target group as of now is 18 years and above. The exercise is to promote a sense of ownership amongst the people of India and the youth. The kind of response Shera is getting from the children and people above 40 years of age is good. Commonwealth Games is for the common people," said Madhushree, an organiser.
The Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi will be India's first major international sports event after the 1982 Asian Games.
Delhi bagged the Commonwealth Games after beating the Canadian city Hamilton in the bid for rights to host the games to be held between October 3 and 14 next year.
Courtesy - Asian News International (ANI)
Shera distributed chocolates and merrily mingled with the curious shoppers, shaking hands and posing for a quick shot.
"It's good if Shera roams around and meets more people as there are few months left for the Commonwealth Games and this is a good way to promote the event. I feel that everyone should know that India is hosting such a grand event and the preparations are in full swing. We all are looking forward to it, " said Shikha, a visitor.
"We have taken Shera to the common man, the target group as of now is 18 years and above. The exercise is to promote a sense of ownership amongst the people of India and the youth. The kind of response Shera is getting from the children and people above 40 years of age is good. Commonwealth Games is for the common people," said Madhushree, an organiser.
The Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi will be India's first major international sports event after the 1982 Asian Games.
Delhi bagged the Commonwealth Games after beating the Canadian city Hamilton in the bid for rights to host the games to be held between October 3 and 14 next year.
Courtesy - Asian News International (ANI)
Australia to send big team for Delhi Games
Australia is planning to send its largest-ever delegation for next year’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. “Australia will send a full team of over 600 athletes, coaches, managers, medicos and officials. The team will be the largest ever to compete in an overseas Commonwealth Games campaign with the first round of team nominations including the provisional selection of eight track and field athletes, including world champions Steve Hooker and Dani Samuels,” Australian Commonwealth Games Association said in a statement. ACGA CEO Perry Crosswhite said no athlete had raised any security concerns about travelling to India.
Tight security for boxers
Pakistan will deploy more than 5,000 security personnel around the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing tournament venue and the hotel where the teams are staying. “The government is aware that we are hosting such a big international sporting event after a long time and we want to ensure it is held smoothly as that will pave the way for more teams to come to Pakistan,” Sindh sports minister Muhammad Ali Shah said.
Courtesy - Indian Express
Tight security for boxers
Pakistan will deploy more than 5,000 security personnel around the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing tournament venue and the hotel where the teams are staying. “The government is aware that we are hosting such a big international sporting event after a long time and we want to ensure it is held smoothly as that will pave the way for more teams to come to Pakistan,” Sindh sports minister Muhammad Ali Shah said.
Courtesy - Indian Express
Delhi unprepared for Commonwealth Games
Delhi steps into the year of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) struggling to battle infrastructural delays, unending construction work and unimaginable traffic snarls.
The Oct 3-14 Games will have 17 disciplines to be organised at six venue clusters and five stand-alone stadiums in the metropolis. Yet, not a single venue is anywhere near completion.
Work at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, which will host the opening and closing ceremonies, is way behind schedule and India's sports minister announced on Monday that it will be ready only in June. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has admitted the slow pace of work is making her nervous.
Over 100,000 visitors are expected during the Games and there is a big shortfall in the number of rooms ready for them. As against 40,000 rooms required, only 10,000 rooms are available. The tourism ministry is trying to rope in budget hotels and guest houses near the New Delhi Railway Station and the suburbs. A clearer picture will emerge only by mid-year.
Home Minister P Chidambaram had informed the Lok Sabha during the winter session that the city skyline will be clear of the tangled mesh of cable TV, Internet and telephone wires and that the cabling will go underground.
Another major concern is Delhi's serpentine traffic as well as poor public transport system. The Delhi government's Public Works Department (PWD) is racing against time to give the city a makeover.
The civic authorities have already spent billions of rupees on building flyovers, roads, and new bus stops as well as on street-scaping and signages.
"We are constructing 24 flyovers for the Games. Of these, 12 are operational and another 12 will be ready in time for the Games. The infrastructure is not essentially for the event, it is part of the city's routine developmental work," PWD secretary KK Sharma said.
To ease traffic congestion, the public transport system is being strengthened and, in three months, the notorious Blueline buses are expected to be phased out.
About 3,500 low-floor buses will replace the Bluelines, but the recent fires in them has put a question mark on their safety. Around 950 low-floor buses are running on city roads now.
The only agency which seems to be meeting the deadlines is Delhi Metro, but its reputation, too, was tarnished in 2009 with a couple of accidents leading to loss of life.
Several countries scheduled to participate in the Games have raised concerns over security, but the government is firm in saying that they need not have any fears. The authorities have approved installation of an integrated security system (ISS), estimated to cost Rs.370 crore (Rs 3.7 billion), to cover all the venues.
Though the government has been promising security upgradation, it is still in the process of purchasing the equipment, raising questions on whether the security agencies would have enough time to train their personnel to handle the gadgets.
A big worry is the air quality during the Games. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, has developed a System of Air Pollution Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) that will start functioning in a couple of months.
"The system will tell us the quality of air at a given moment and also what it will be 24 hours later, thus alerting people and helping them avoid immediate exposure to unhealthy air," Gufran Beig, SAFAR scientist and project director, said.
The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee recently launched a programme -- Delhi United -- to recruit and train 30,000 volunteers to present Delhi's culture and etiquette.
The authorities are also training thousands of bus, taxi and auto drivers to converse in English and make them sound polite and tourist-friendly.
The centre and the state governments have lined up a host of cultural programmes during the Games. Neighbouring state Haryana is chipping in with a fair on the lines of the Surajkund Mela.
The question is how fast the plans fructify and whether everything will be in order before the opening ceremony Oct 3.
Courtesy - Times of India
The Oct 3-14 Games will have 17 disciplines to be organised at six venue clusters and five stand-alone stadiums in the metropolis. Yet, not a single venue is anywhere near completion.
Work at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, which will host the opening and closing ceremonies, is way behind schedule and India's sports minister announced on Monday that it will be ready only in June. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has admitted the slow pace of work is making her nervous.
Over 100,000 visitors are expected during the Games and there is a big shortfall in the number of rooms ready for them. As against 40,000 rooms required, only 10,000 rooms are available. The tourism ministry is trying to rope in budget hotels and guest houses near the New Delhi Railway Station and the suburbs. A clearer picture will emerge only by mid-year.
Home Minister P Chidambaram had informed the Lok Sabha during the winter session that the city skyline will be clear of the tangled mesh of cable TV, Internet and telephone wires and that the cabling will go underground.
Another major concern is Delhi's serpentine traffic as well as poor public transport system. The Delhi government's Public Works Department (PWD) is racing against time to give the city a makeover.
The civic authorities have already spent billions of rupees on building flyovers, roads, and new bus stops as well as on street-scaping and signages.
"We are constructing 24 flyovers for the Games. Of these, 12 are operational and another 12 will be ready in time for the Games. The infrastructure is not essentially for the event, it is part of the city's routine developmental work," PWD secretary KK Sharma said.
To ease traffic congestion, the public transport system is being strengthened and, in three months, the notorious Blueline buses are expected to be phased out.
About 3,500 low-floor buses will replace the Bluelines, but the recent fires in them has put a question mark on their safety. Around 950 low-floor buses are running on city roads now.
The only agency which seems to be meeting the deadlines is Delhi Metro, but its reputation, too, was tarnished in 2009 with a couple of accidents leading to loss of life.
Several countries scheduled to participate in the Games have raised concerns over security, but the government is firm in saying that they need not have any fears. The authorities have approved installation of an integrated security system (ISS), estimated to cost Rs.370 crore (Rs 3.7 billion), to cover all the venues.
Though the government has been promising security upgradation, it is still in the process of purchasing the equipment, raising questions on whether the security agencies would have enough time to train their personnel to handle the gadgets.
A big worry is the air quality during the Games. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, has developed a System of Air Pollution Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) that will start functioning in a couple of months.
"The system will tell us the quality of air at a given moment and also what it will be 24 hours later, thus alerting people and helping them avoid immediate exposure to unhealthy air," Gufran Beig, SAFAR scientist and project director, said.
The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee recently launched a programme -- Delhi United -- to recruit and train 30,000 volunteers to present Delhi's culture and etiquette.
The authorities are also training thousands of bus, taxi and auto drivers to converse in English and make them sound polite and tourist-friendly.
The centre and the state governments have lined up a host of cultural programmes during the Games. Neighbouring state Haryana is chipping in with a fair on the lines of the Surajkund Mela.
The question is how fast the plans fructify and whether everything will be in order before the opening ceremony Oct 3.
Courtesy - Times of India
Thyagaraj Stadium to miss deadline for sure
After Central Public Works Department (CPWD), it is the turn of PWD to give assurances about finishing projects even as internal deadlines are getting extended.
The PWD’s flagship stadium, Thyagaraj, which was supposed to be ready by December, will now be ready only in February. The delay, said sources, was due to the late start in laying of the specialized wooden flooring at the stadium. The stadium’s eco-green features like the green power plant as well as the solar panels on its surface are the other reasons why the stadium is getting delayed, the sources said.
The delay comes even as PWD minister Rajkumar Chauhan visited the three Delhi government sporting facilities Thyagaraj, Chhatrasal and Ludlow Castle for inspection on Thursday. While Chauhan claimed that work was progressing on time, sources in the department said apart from Ludlow Castle, which was expected to be completed in January, the others would only be ready in February. Incidentally, both Ludlow and Chhatrasal are non-competition venues and will be used for training purposes only. Chuahan however, reiterated that all venues were on schedule, adding that Ludlow Castle would be ready within "two to three"’ weeks.
A senior government official said, "the major infrastructural work is over. Now, only the finishing touches are left, which is taking time. The present delay (at the Thyagaraj) happened because a lot of time was spent on awarding the work to the designated company for the maple wood flooring."
Thyagaraj, which will be hosting the Test event in March, is the competition venue for Netball. The stadium, which has been touted as the first green stadium in the country, will also be the first government building to use a gas-based turbine for its power needs. Apart from the green turbine it will be powered by PNG from IGL the stadium is also planning to use solar energy on a large scale. "The roof of the stadium is quite large: 107X185 meters. So around 1MW solar energy is generated every day. This energy will be used within the building" the official said.
The PWD’s flagship stadium, Thyagaraj, which was supposed to be ready by December, will now be ready only in February. The delay, said sources, was due to the late start in laying of the specialized wooden flooring at the stadium. The stadium’s eco-green features like the green power plant as well as the solar panels on its surface are the other reasons why the stadium is getting delayed, the sources said.
The delay comes even as PWD minister Rajkumar Chauhan visited the three Delhi government sporting facilities Thyagaraj, Chhatrasal and Ludlow Castle for inspection on Thursday. While Chauhan claimed that work was progressing on time, sources in the department said apart from Ludlow Castle, which was expected to be completed in January, the others would only be ready in February. Incidentally, both Ludlow and Chhatrasal are non-competition venues and will be used for training purposes only. Chuahan however, reiterated that all venues were on schedule, adding that Ludlow Castle would be ready within "two to three"’ weeks.
A senior government official said, "the major infrastructural work is over. Now, only the finishing touches are left, which is taking time. The present delay (at the Thyagaraj) happened because a lot of time was spent on awarding the work to the designated company for the maple wood flooring."
Thyagaraj, which will be hosting the Test event in March, is the competition venue for Netball. The stadium, which has been touted as the first green stadium in the country, will also be the first government building to use a gas-based turbine for its power needs. Apart from the green turbine it will be powered by PNG from IGL the stadium is also planning to use solar energy on a large scale. "The roof of the stadium is quite large: 107X185 meters. So around 1MW solar energy is generated every day. This energy will be used within the building" the official said.
Delhi's Commonwealth Games plan in turmoil with venues behind schedule
Security may be the least of Delhi’s problems in hosting the Commonwealth Games next year.
Following this week’s reports that England may withdraw their team on safety issues, other organisational problems have now surfaced.
Construction of the athletics and swimming complex is said to be well behind schedule, with the earliest completion date put at June, four months before the Games start.
The Times of India reported the city was ‘struggling to battle infrastructure delays, unending construction work and unimaginable traffic snarls’ as it enters 2010.
Not one venue for the 17 sports is completed, and even Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit said the slow pace of work is making her nervous. She issued a New Year message appealing to citizens for ‘grand co-operation’ to make the Games successful.
There are also reports that only 10,000 of the 40,000 hotel rooms expected to be needed are available, and that budget hotels not intended for foreigners are being brought into play.
Even British company SIS, who won the tender to provide television coverage for the host broadcaster, are reported not to have signed the contract yet, three months after the deal was announced.
Indeed, the greatest encouragement for the organisers was the support from abroad after reports that England may not compete. Australia and New Zealand confirmed they would send teams following the denials by England and Scotland of any withdrawal.
Sir Chris Hoy, triple Olympic cycling champion and Scottish hope for three Commonwealth golds, became the biggest name yet to throw his support behind the Games. His agent, Ricky Cowan, said: ‘He is back in full training and the Commonwealth Games is definitely on his schedule.’
Courtesy - Neil Wilson (Daily Mail)
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