All arrangements in place to ensure Delhi 2010 will be safe, secure: Kalmadi

Date:
Mon, 19 Apr 2010

NEW DELHI: Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi reiterated its confidence that the Commonwealth Games, to be held in October, will be hosted in a safe and secure environment.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police have been working on making the best security arrangements for the athletes and visitors in the Commonwealth Games. Along with them, we are monitoring the situation in the wake of the recent incident in Bengaluru and we are leaving no stone unturned to make sure that the Capital is safe and secure,” Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, said.

“The Commonwealth Games Federation has been advised by its international security consultant that India is making the best security arrangements for the Games,” he said. “Besides, we have had a number of security briefings for Heads of Missions of the Commonwealth countries and, recently, we had the Chefs de Mission Seminar for all 71 nations. At each such forum, our security plans and arrangements have been welcomed as the best,” he said. “ the CGF President Mr. Mike Fennell was also satisfied with the security arrangements.”

“We have been planning the security arrangements for many years and Government has spared no expense in asking for the best equipment and personnel to be in place. Once all venues are ready, there would be another International Security Liaison Group Security Commanders’ conference. We are taking no chances at all,” Mr. Kalmadi said.

The test events for a number of sporting disciplines, including FIH World Cup hockey, Commonwealth Shooting Championship, Commonwealth Boxing Championship, Badminton Asia Championship, invitational meets in archery, rugby 7s and lawn bowling have all been held successfully and the participants have been happy with the levels of security provided,” he said.

“The security arrangements for the Commonwealth Games are constantly being monitored by the Organising Committee Commonweath Games 2010 Delhi in tandem with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police. We are sure we will have a safe and secure Games and that the athletes will be able to perform, assured that they would be given the best protection,” Mr. Kalmadi said.

Mrs. Dikshit and Kalmadi launch ticket sales for Delhi’s biggest badminton event since 1982

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Mrs. Shiela Dikshit and Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, today launched the sale of tickets for the Yonex-Sunrise Badminton Asia Championship to be held at the state of the art DDA Siri Fort Badminton Stadium from 12 April 2010. It is the biggest badminton competition in the Capital since the 1982 Asian Games.

Mrs. Dikshit said she was confident the event would draw full houses, especially since India’s own Saina Nehwal is a big draw. “Last month, Delhi showed it loves top notch sporting events by supporting the FIH World Cup Hockey and the Commonwealth Boxing Championships. I am sure that the Badminton Asia Championships, featuring a lot of leading names, will also draw a terrific response,” she said.

Mr. Kalmadi said he expected the Badminton Asia Championship to be a roaring success. “Badminton Association of India hosted the World Junior Championship in Pune and the World Championship in Hyderabad successfully. By bringing the Asian Championship as the test event for the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, BAI has ensured that the sport stays in the public eye,” he said.

BAI President Mr. V. K. Verma pointed out that the ticket prices were pegged really low. “Given the fact that the world class players will be competing for honours in the event, we have pegged the ticket prices really low,” he said. “The prices range from Rs 50 to Rs 200 for the first two days, Rs 100 to Rs. 350 for the third and fourth days, Rs 150 to Rs 500 for the quafterfinals and semifinals and from Rs 300 to Rs 1500 on the final day.”

Bookmyshow.com has been identified as official ticketing agency. Tickets can be booked online by logging on to www.bookmyshow.com from 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. The agency will setup a call centre (011-39895050) and will send SMS/e-mail alerts for updates on the Championship 2010.

Tickets will also be available for purchase at Café Coffee Day outlets near Siri Fort Sports Complex and across major areas in Delhi. CCD outlets at the following locations will have tickets for sale: Gargi College, Chanakyapuri, Greater Kailash I M-Block Market, Greater Kailash II M-Block Market, Lajpat Nagar, Ansal Plaza, South Extension II, Rajouri Garden, Connaught Place Inner Circle and Galleria Market (Gurgaon).