Govt assures action in CWG ‘corruption’

Govt assures action in CWG ‘corruption’

NEW DELHI, Aug 1: Hit by allegations of corruption in the Commonwealth Games, the government today promised to take action against those found guilty even as another venue was inaugurated with a leaking roof. Union urban development minister S Jaipal Reddy was in damage-control mode over the Central Vigilance Commission's report on widescale corruption in Games' construction projects. “CVC has come out with preliminary remarks on the alleged irregularities in the construction of Commonwealth venues. I assure you that all concerned would be punished. Nothing would be spared. We will seriously look into it,” Reddy said during the inauguration of the Weightlifting auditorium inside the Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium complex here today. The Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, who was forced to address an hour-long press conference to rebutt charges of financial bunglings yesterday, was issuing clarifications yet again. The Indian Olympic Association chief insisted that the UK-based firm at the center of a corruption row that has hit OC was recommended by the Indian High Commission despite an embarrassing denial issued by it earlier.The Indian High Commission had denied recommending A M Films, the little-known UK-based firm which allegedly received lakhs of pounds for providing its ‘services’ during the Queen's Baton Relay in London. (PTI)

Delhi to get 50 luxury public toilets before Games

Delhi to get 50 luxury public toilets before Games

NEW DELHI: After getting a clearance from the Delhi high court, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is gearing up to construct 50 luxury pay-and-use public toilets in the capital before the Commonwealth Games, an official said on Wednesday.

"Initially, we planned to build 218 five-star toilets in the city, but with the legal hurdles being solved only in the second week of July, we have little time to build so many before the Games in October. So, we will be building 50 toilets,'' a senior MCD official.

The project for pay-and-use toilets was floated last September but was held up due to litigation. The cost of constructing one toilet block is estimated to be around Rs 1 crore.

On Tuesday, Justice R S Endlaw dismissed a petition by a businessman, from Greater Kailash-I, opposing the civic agency's move to acquire 1,200 square feet in N-block market for building air-conditioned toilets.

Olympic Games gold medallist leads New Zealand track and field stars to Delhi

NEW DELHI: Beijing Olympic Games shot put gold medallist Valerie Vili and 1500m silver medallist Nick Willis are among the several stars named by New Zealand in its first batch of track and field squad to compete at the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. They will defend their 2006 gold medals while discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina with attempt to win her third Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Beijing Olympians Stuart Farquar (javelin), Adrian Blincoe (5000m) and Rebecca Wardell (heptathlon) are also in the initial line-up as is Beijing Paralympian Jessica Hamil (F34 shotput), according to a release by the New Zealand Olympic Committee.

“Athletics is a high profile Commonwealth Sport and we’ve got a strong team heading to Delhi,” NZOC Secretary-General Mr. Barry Maister said. “Legends like John Walker and Peter Snell are born at the Commonwealth Games and I’m excited to see what athletes like Vili and Willis will achieve in Delhi. These household names are joined by younger athletes who have exciting future ahead of them and the Commonwealth Games are where it all begins.”

High-jumping teenager Liz Lamb is one such young athlete and is heading for her first Commonwealth Games. At just 18 years of age, Lamb will aim to beat her personal best of 1.85m and gain valuable experience in the international multi-sport environment before setting her sights on the London Olympic Games in 2012.

High Performance Director Mr. Kevin Ankram has similar hopes for other newcomers including Brent Newdick, Nikki Hamblin and Monique Williams. “I am hopeful that our up-and-coming athletes can continue to improve and use Delhi as an opportunity to fine tune their skills at a championship event,” he said.

Since 1930 New Zealand has won 117 Commonwealth Games medals in athletics. New Zealand athletes must demonstrate they are capable of finishing within the top six at the Commonwealth Games to meet New Zealand Olympic Committee selection criteria for Delhi.

The squad:

Men: 1500m: Nick Willis; 5000m Adrian Blincoe; Javelin throw: Stuart Farquhar and Decathlon: Brent Newdick.

Women: 200m: Monique Williams; 800m/1500m Nikki Hamblin; 100m hurdles Andrea Miller; High jump: Elizabeth Lamb; Shot put: Valerie Vili; Discus throw: Beatrice Faumuina; Heptathlon: Rebecca Wardell and F34 shot put: Jessica Hamill.

International Rugby Board looks at Delhi 2010 to reach out to Indian audience

NEW DELHI: The International Rugby Board says it expects Rugby Sevens to make a big impact on Indian audiences during the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi this year.

“The Sevens tournament at the Commonwealth Games has consistently proven successful and this year we are particularly excited that the event is being held in India where Rugby is reaching out to new young audiences in a rapidly developing market for our sport,” IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset has been quoted as saying. “We are looking forward to what promises to be a memorable tournament for the Rugby family and sports fans alike.

“We firmly believe that the Sevens tournament at the Commonwealth Games plays an important role in the ongoing development and promotion of rugby around the world,” he said. “The event continues to attract some of the world’s top players, delivering exciting matches and attracting new fans thanks to the remarkable talent of all the international teams competing.

The Rugby Sevens competition will be held on October 11 and 12. The draw and schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

The recently-crowned world series champion Samoa will head a line-up of 16 nations competing in the competition at. Samoa captured its first Sevens World Series title by winning the season-ending Edinburgh tournament on May 30. It will be joined in the competition by reigning Commonwealth Games champion New Zealand, world champion Wales, host India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda, England, Scotland, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Canada and Guyana.

“With a record crowd of 50,000 at the final Rugby Sevens session in Melbourne in 2006, the Rugby Sevens tournament has become one of the most sought-after attractions at the Commonwealth Games, providing an excellent spectacle for both fans and television viewers,” Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive Mike Hooper said. “The inclusion of some of the world’s best Sevens teams and star players from every corner of the world continue to broaden the Games’ global appeal even further.”

New Zealand shooter guns for medals in seventh successive Games

Date:

Thu, 10 Jun 2010

NEW DELHI: New Zealand’s 53-year-old pistol shooter Greg Yelavich, who has 10 medals in the Commonwealth Games competition since 1986, is hungry for more as he prepares for his seventh successive Commonwealth Games appearance in Delhi this October.

Yelavich figures in a 12-members New Zealand shooting team announced for the Games on Thursday. The team also includes 34-year-old Olympian and Commonwealth gold medallist Nadine Stanton (clay target) and the up-and-coming Miles Browne-Cole (clay target), who won the Australian title in January.

Yelavich, who has competed at the Olympics, as well as Commonwealth Games since 1986 said the competitive landscape was changing. “The Games are getting harder and harder and the competition that we face is getting smarter,” Yelavich told tvnz.co.nz. “Other countries have more money but we have to be typically `New Zealand' and step up. Kiwis are known for that.”

Shooting team coach Gavin Paton said he was pleased with the make up of a team which included youth and experience, and some strong pairings. “It is a strong team and I'm very pleased to see it includes young people coming through,” he said. “Overall it's a strong team, especially in the pairs where an experienced athlete will be matched with one of the younger ones.”

The New Zealand shooters compete at the world championships at Munich in July, before returning to New Zealand and Australia to prepare for the Games, to be held from October 3.

New Zealand has been participating in Commonwealth Games shooting since 1978 and the sport has raked in 49 medals to rank fourth on the New Zealand Commonwealth medal table.

The shooting team is the third team to be named to the Commonwealth Games squad which is expected to number 195 athletes and 100 support staff.

New Zealand shooting team:

Clay Target: Men: Myles Browne-Cole and Allan Sinclair; Women: Natalie Rooney and Nadine Stanton.

Small bore (prone): Men - Adrian Black and Ryan Taylor; Women - Sally Johnson and Juliet Etherington

Pistol: Greg Yelavich and Allan Earle.

Full bore: Mike Collings and John Snowden.

First lot of Rs. 1000 tickets for opening ceremony sold out, second to be released soon

NEW DELHI, 7 JUNE 2010: The first lot of Rs. 1000 tickets for the opening ceremony has been sold out. The Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010) got great response from the general public for tickets of all denominations but Rs. 1000 tickets sold like hot cakes. OC CWG Delhi 2010 will be releasing the second lot of Rs. 1000 tickets soon.

Games’ tickets released to a blockbuster opening at the ticket box-office. Within three days, tickets worth more than Rs. 1 crore have been sold since the tickets opened for general public.

As the ticketing programme was launched on 4 June, the ticketing website got thousands of hits; the toll free number kept on getting calls 24x7and people are queuing up at the retail outlets of Central Bank of India and Hero Honda to book their place for witnessing India’s biggest sporting extravaganza.

Tickets for Opening and Closing Ceremony, to be held in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, are the bestsellers, as they promise to be majestic events featuring spectacular shows, followed by tickets for popular sporting events like Hockey, Athletics, Swimming, Tennis and Squash.

Of 10,800 tickets sold so far, 60 percent are being sold through the ticketing website and rest through retail outlets and call centre.

Everyone wants to watch at least one of the Games' events, going by the present trend, when tickets to the bigger events will be sold out people are expected shift to the other events as well.

Games tickets promise that the holder can travel free of charge by Delhi Metro trains and DTC buses to reach and return from the venue on the day of the event for which they hold a ticket.

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

NEW DELHI, 05 June 2010: Keeping up with the Green theme of the Delhi 2010, the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010) today organised Sustainable Transport Rally comprising of eco-friendly means of transport like cycles and electric (battery running) cars and scooters.

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

Speaking on the occasion Mrs Dikshit said we need to spend our natural resources wisely as there are many species but only one Earth. She lauded the efforts of children, RWAs, women organisations and NGOs to make Delhi one of the greenest cities in India and in the world.

“Delhi is one of the largest cities. We need to strike a balance between the huge, rising population and the natural resources and spend them wisely. Almost 42% of the clean, fresh water available to Delhi is wasted, we must change our habits. Fuel consumption is another reason for environmental pollution hence battery run vehicles are an option. We must have courage to demand clean fuel so that companies provide us the same.”

Mr. Pachauri said, “It is heartening to see many young people today turning up to protect environment. We must work together to make sure that we bring prosperity for all.”

Mr. Verma said OC CWG Delhi 2010 is committed make Delhi 2010 the first ever Green Games. Delhi Government’s initiative for clean transport like Metro, Cycling tracks for cyclists, etc., are playing huge role in improving Delhi’s air quality.

The Chief Minister released State of Environment Report for Delhi 2010. Bonsais were presented to all the guests. The Rally that travelled to different parts of the city spread the message Reduce, Recycle and Reuse.

Delhi 2010 launches its Ticketing Programme

NEW DELHI, 04 June 2010: The Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010) formally launched its Ticketing Programme today. Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Mr. Tejendra Khanna, at a function held this morning in the OC CWG Delhi 2010 Headquarters, launched the Ticketing Programmes as Shera, the Games Mascot, handed over first ticket to him and the second one to the Mayor of Delhi Mr. Prithvi Raj Sawhney.

Speaking on the occasion OC CWG Delhi Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, said he was confident that the sports loving people of Delhi and India will contribute to the successful delivery of the Games that is being held in Asia for only the second time and in India for the first time.

Mr. Suresh Kalmadi said, “The tickets for the Games are affordable and easily accessible by everyone. I believe that sports fans across the country will be eager to witness the sporting spectacle that will unfold in October. I hope all Delhi-ites will come forward and buy tickets in large numbers resulting in house full stadiums during all the competitions.” Mr. Kalmadi thanked the Delhi government for waiving the entertainment tax on the tickets which has made it possible to make the tickets affordable for everyone.

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

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

The Lt. Governor said he was happy with the ceremonial launch of Delhi 2010’s Ticketing Programme. Sports lovers from all the country will come and buy tickets in large numbers. The Government of India, OC CWG Delhi 2010, Sports Ministry and the Chief Minister of Delhi are tirelessly working together to ensure the success of Delhi 2010.
“Delhiites will showcase India’s traditional hospitality and universal brotherhood to the guests visiting India during the Games and beyond,” he added.

Ticket prices for the sporting events range from Rs 50 to Rs 1000. Prices for the Opening Ceremony will range from Rs 1000 to Rs 50,000, and for the Closing Ceremony from Rs 750 to Rs 50,000. Almost 40% of the competition venue tickets will be Rs 200 or below. Four events will be free of charge – the Marathon, the Walk, Cycling Road Race and Cycling Time Trial.

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

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

During the first phase, 40 per cent of the tickets for the local market will go on sale. All venues will have accessible seating for spectators with special needs (based on the international standards of 0.5% of the total venue seating capacity).

The tickets sales will be in three phases; during phase I, spectators buying the tickets will be provided with a confirmation voucher which will be exchanged for actual tickets beginning 1 August (Start of Phase II). During Phase II, the spectators will have actual tickets against every purchase. Phase III, which will begin just before the Games (1 October), will witness venue sales outlets also added to the sales channel. Spectators can choose the option of getting their tickets delivered through courier or opt for pick up option if booking online or through the call centre.

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

Each ticket holder can travel free of charge by Delhi Metro trains and DTC buses to reach and return from the venue on the day of the event for which they hold a ticket.

The OC CWG Delhi 2010 has ensured that tickets will be printed at Government of India Security Press with complete inbuilt foolproof security features to prevent counterfeit of the Games tickets.

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

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

NEW DELHI, 2 June 2010: The Government of India sees the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi as an excellent opportunity to herald the country’s emergence as a significant sporting nation and showcase its organisational capacity to host such major events

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

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

The new terminal at the Indira Gandhi International Airport will be fully operational soon, well in time for the Commonwealth Games. It has been designed to cater to 100 million passengers per annum by 2036, the report said.

It also said that 45.83 km was added to the Delhi Metro network. Of course, it will expand to 185 km during the Games, spanning the IGI Airport to Connaught Place, to the Games Village in Akhshardham to all venues.

Australia names teenager in Delhi 2010 lawn bowls squad

NEW DELHI, 2 June 2010: Natasha van Eldik was on Wednesday named to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games lawn bowls pairs competition in Delhi in October. At 19, she will become the youngest lawn bowler to wear Australian colours in a Commonwealth Games competition.

She lines up alongside reigning gold medallist, 26-year-old Lynsey Armitage. The pair won the silver medal at the eight-nation tournament at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium lawn bowls facility here in April. That convinced Australian coach Rex Johnston that Van Eldik was ready.

“I got the call at 6.45 this morning...they said we would get a call whether we had made the Commonwealth Games team or not so I didn't know what to expect,” she was quoted as saying in the Australian media. “It's a bit overwhelming really. In 12 months I have debuted for my country, played about 14 or 15 games for Australia and now I'm going to a Commonwealth Games. It's a dream come true.”

The 20-year-old Kelsey Cottrell, a reserve four years ago, will make her debut in the women's singles, while Sharyn Renshaw (NSW), Claire Duke (NSW) and Julie Keegan (NSW) have been selected to play in the triples.

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

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

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

The team:

Men: Singles: Leif Selby; Pairs: Mark Berghofer and Aron Sherriff; Triples: Brett Wilkie, Wayne Turley and Mark Casey.

Women: Singles: Kelsey Cottrell: Pairs: Lynsey Armitage and Natasha Van Eldik; Triples: Sharyn Renshaw, Claire Duke and Julie Keegan.

Benefits of Games will be felt for longer than 15 days

NEW DELHI, 29 May 2010: Only for 15 days? That is the question that springs up in my mind each time I read a report or hear about how much the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi are costing us. I shall get to the numbers a little later but let me first ask: Is the sports and city infrastructure, which is rapidly coming up and making Delhi a more classy megapolis, going to last just 15 days?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So then, to brand the Games a wasteful extravaganza is to take a very short-sighted view and ignore the enormous tangible benefits that it brings along. Let me congratulate you and your fellow citizens for taking the discomfort during the city development with a smile. Your patience, I am sure, will be rewarded with a world class city. Rest assured: That is not just for 15 days.

This Article first appeared in the Hindustan Times newspaper dated 29 May 2010

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

Talking to the Times of India, OC CWG Delhi 2010 Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, lists out the massive preparations for the Games in Delhi, and says that everything is on track

Delhi has undergone a lot of changes because of the CWG ...

Most of the schools and colleges will be able to use the infrastructure being built in Delhi. These changes are not for 15 days of the Games. We now have an airport which is world class, the Metro connecting the airport to CP to the Games Village, and the Games Village to other parts of the city. Even after the Games, citizens will enjoy the same facilities. They’re green Games; a lot of plantation is happening in and around Delhi...

To read the full interview,Click here

Australian track and field squad rises to 74

NEW DELHI, 28 May 2010: The Australian track and field squad to compete in the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi has risen to 74 with the addition of walker Jess Rothwell and marathon runners Lisa Flint, Martin Dent, Jeff Hunt and Michael Shelley. Athletics Australia hopes that number will increase to 90 by Games-time, including 12 elite athletes with a disability.

Coming back from injury, Rothwell finished ninth at the World Race Walking Cup in Mexico earlier this month. The 20-year-old will join Claire Tallent and Cheryl Webb in the women's 20km race in Delhi.

“For a long time, Jess has been regarded as having real potential going forward and the selectors had no hesitation in nominating her to the team,” AA Chairman of Selectors Mr. Peter Fitzgerald was quoted as saying in the Australian media.

Lisa Flint, Martin Dent, Jeff Hunt and Michael Shelley join Lisa Weightman, who earned automatic nomination to the team following her top-20 finish in Berlin last year, as australia’s representatives in the marathon events.

With just one marathon under his belt, Shelley said his first marathon in Rotterdam in April was a big learning experience. He finished 12th in 2:13:05hrs. He hit the wall at the 38km mark and was forced to battle over the final kilometres. “It was very tough for last couple kilometres," he said.

“But you learn a lot and my next run (in a marathon) will be in Delhi so I have plenty of time to get my training right. This is a stepping stone to the next hopeful goal which would be a marathon at the 2012 Olympics in London," said Shelley, who has run for Australia four times at the world cross-country championships.

Dent contested the 3000m steeplechase four years ago in Melbourne. Hunt impressed selectors by clocking a fast time of two hours 11 minutes on his marathon debut in Japan.

Borel-Browne aims for women’s shot put gold in Delhi 2010

PORT-OF-SPAIN, 28 May 2010: Trinidad & Tobago’s Cleopatra Borel-Browne has targetted a shot put medal at the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi as her primary focus this year. She won the bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne four years ago and she now aims for a brighter colour this October, the Jamaican Gleaner reported.

“The goal for this year is to bring another Commonwealth medal back to T&T,” the 31-year-old Borel Brown. “The competition will be pretty steep. Valrie Vili (the reigning Olympic, World, and Commonwealth champion from New Zealand) is arguably the No.1 shot-putter in the World and the Commonwealth.

“It is going to be a tough meet, but I am preparing for it. I am really excited. It is at a difficult time of the year for track and field – October, but I really like competing for T&T. I believe I have a very good chance to bring home a medal, and I don't take that lightly, so I am going to go out there and do my best,” she said.

In Melbourne, Borel-Brown won bronze with a distance of 17.87 metres to finish behind Vili and Vivian Chukwuemeka of Nigeria.

Last Sunday, she continued her preparations for the Games with a victory at the Brazil Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro, with a season's best throw of 18.05m. “I am trying not to limit myself,” she said. “I would like to throw a personal best, of course. I would like that to happen at the Commonwealth Games, but I will take it anywhere.”

Borel-Brown, who holds the T&T national record at 18.91m, explained that her preparations for the Commonwealth Games may have cost her a place in the final of the shot put at this year's World Indoor Championships in February in Doha. She finished 12th with a distance of 18.31m. “My training for Doha was not intense as it would have been if the World Indoors were the sole focus of the year,” she said.

Country’s culture to be on show during the Games

Date:

Thu, 27 May 2010

NEW DELHI, 27 May 2010: The Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, in collaboration with the Delhi Government, has decided to showcase India's rich culture to the Games visitors by organising a series of events offering a taste of country's music, dance and folklore.

The Tribune reported that the state government has selected 15 venues in the city where cultural festivals will be held during the mega sports event to be held from 3 -14 October.

A host of renowned artistes and singers will perform in the events.

"The cultural programmes are being selected very carefully as we want the spectators to preserve the memories of the events for a long time," the official said.

He said to cater to the taste of young visitors, programmes featuring fusion music and dance will also be held.

Another official said the government had already roped in renowned theatre director Aamir Raza Hussain to stage shows at Red Fort and Quli Khan Tomb in Mehrauli.

There will be light and sound shows at Red Fort, Old Fort and Quli Khan Tomb.

The official said Hussain had been given the responsibility for the Red Fort and Mehrauli shows, while a film company will organise the light and sound show at Old Fort.

Titled Dasatan-e-Dilli, the 45-minute Mehrauli show will show Delhi's story.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase our cultural heritage to the entire world, and we are putting in a lot of efforts to select the programmes for the events," said a senior official with the Chief Minister's office.

He said cultural programmes would be held at venues, including the Games Village, Red Fort, Mehrauli Fort, Purana Qila and Kamini auditorium.

The article first appeared in The Tribune, date 27 May 2010

Hockey schedule for Delhi 2010 released

NEW DELHI, 22 May 2010: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) have released the hockey schedule for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, with four women’s matches to kick-start the competition on 4 October.

A total of ten men’s and ten women’s teams will compete in the11-day hockey tournament, to be played on two pitches of the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the Indian capital, the same venue as the Hero Honda FIH World Cup in March this year.

The draw sees teams allocated across two pools.

Men

Pool A: Australia, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Scotland.

Pool B: England, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago.

Women

Pool A: Australia, South Africa, India, Scotland, Trinidad & Tobago.

Pool B: England, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Wales.

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

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

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

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

Monday 4 October
Women Pool B	10:30		New Zealand			-		Wales
Women Pool A	13:00		South Africa			-		Trinidad & Tobago
Women Pool B	16:00		Canada			-		Malaysia
Women Pool A	18:00		India			-		Scotland
Tuesday 5 October
Women Pool B	08:30		England			-		Wales
Men Pool A	10:30		Pakistan			-		Scotland
Women Pool A	13:00		Australia			-		Trinidad & Tobago
Men Pool B	14:00		New Zealand			-		Trinidad & Tobago		Pitch 2
Women Pool B	16:00		New Zealand			-		Malaysia
Men Pool B	16:30		Canada			-		South Africa		Pitch 2
Men Pool A	19:00		India			-		Malaysia
Women Pool A	21:00		South Africa			-		Scotland
Wednesday 6 October
Men Pool A	08:30		Australia			-		Scotland
Women Pool B	11:00		Canada			-		England
Women Pool A	13:30		India			-		Australia
Men Pool B	15:30		England			-		Trinidad & Tobago
Men Pool B	18:30		New Zealand			-		South Africa
Men Pool A	20:30		Pakistan			-		Malaysia
Thursday 7 October
Women Pool A	11:00		Scotland			-		Trinidad & Tobago
Women Pool B	13:00		Malaysia			-		Wales
Men Pool A	16:00		India			-		Australia
Men Pool B	18:00		Canada			-		England
Friday 8 October
Women Pool A	08:30		South Africa			-		Australia
Women Pool A	10:30		Trinidad & Tobago			-		India
Women Pool B	13:30		New Zealand			-		England
Men Pool B	15:30		South Africa			-		Trinidad & Tobago
Women Pool B	18:30		Wales			-		Canada
Men Pool A	20:30		Malaysia			-		Scotland
Saturday 9 October
Men Pool B	08:30		New Zealand			-		England
Men Pool A	10:30		Pakistan			-		Australia
Women Pool A	13:30		Australia			-		Scotland
Women Pool B	14:00		England			-		Malaysia		Pitch 2
Men Pool B	16:00		Trinidad & Tobago			-		Canada
Women Pool B	16:30		New Zealand			-		Canada		Pitch 2
Men Pool A	19:00		Scotland			-		India
Women Pool A	21:00		South Africa			-		India
Sunday 10 October
Men Pool B	12:00		England			-		South Africa
Men Pool B	14:00		New Zealand			-		Canada
Men Pool A	16:30		Australia			-		Malaysia
Men Pool A	19:00		Pakistan			-		India
Monday 11 October
Women 9-10	08:30		5th Women Pool A			-		5thWomen Pool B
Women semifinal	11:00		1st Women Pool A			-		2nd Women Pool B
Women 5-6	13:30		3rd Women Pool A			-		3rd Women Pool B
Women semifinal	17:30		1st Women Pool B			-		2nd Women Pool A
Women 7-8	20:00		4th Women Pool A			-		4th Women Pool B
Tuesday 12 October
Men 9-10	08:30		5th Men Pool A			-		5th Men Pool B
Men semifinal	11:00		1st Men Pool A			-		2nd Men Pool B
Men 5-6	13:30		3rd Men Pool A			-		3rd Men Pool B
Men semifinal	17:30		1st Men Pool B			-		2nd Men Pool A
Men 7-8	20:00		4th Men Pool A			-		4th Men Pool B
Wednesday 13 October
Women		10:30	Bronze Medal Match
Women		13:00	Gold Medal Match
Thursday 14 October
Men		09:00	Bronze Medal Match
Men		11:30	Gold Medal Match