Commonwealth baton relay to reach Rajasthan on Sept 22

JAIPUR: After travelling through some remotest places like St Helena an island off the west coast of Africa accessible only by boat and the

Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic, the Queen's Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi this year, will be traversing through Rajasthan for four days from September 22.

A traditional event that launched every Commonwealth Games since 1958, the baton relay will visit prominent forts, palaces, monuments and of course the Ajmer dargah, while passing through the state. There will be several cultural events and extravaganza accompanying the baton, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the desert state.

Commonwealth Games: HC notices to govt for 'violation' of labour laws

New Delhi: The Delhi high court today sought a response from the Centre for its alleged failure to provide all thebenefits of labour laws to workers involved in construction work for the coming Commonwealth Games.

A bench headed by chief justice AP Shah issued a notice to the Centre and asked it to file the response by February 3 when the matter would be taken up for further hearing.

The Court passed the order on a PIL filed by civil rights group Peoples Union for Democratic Rights which submitted that the Centre has failed to force private companies to abide by the labour laws.

"The government and its agencies as well as their numerous contractors have got used to the idea that they are not accountable for the working and living conditions and can pass up their responsibility, ignoring the legal requirements.

This has resulted in inhuman conditions for construction workers in Delhi," the advocate, appearing for the group, said.

The rights group pleaded the court should intervene to correct the impression and to bring relief to poor and vulnerable 4,15,000 contract daily wage workers who are working on these projects.

BJP to stage protest if beef served during Commonwealth Games

New Delhi: The ruling BJP in MCD today threatened that party councillors and workers will stage protests and picket before the Commonwealth Games committee office if beef is served during the event here in October. BJP workers will also gherao the hotels or other places where beef is being served and lodge FIRs against the officials and hotel management, leader of MCD House Subhash Arya and Chairman of MCD Standing Committee Ram Kishan Singhal told reporters here.

"We want to warn both Delhi and Central governments that if serving of beef during Games create law and order problem in the city, they themselves will be responsible for it," the BJP leaders cautioned.

Delhi races to stay in Commonwealth Games

The lack of building security is a running gag among staff but it's no joke at a time when India's ability to stage a secure event is under question.

Indian and Commonwealth Games Federation organisers have reacted angrily in recent weeks to suggestions athletes face a risk of terrorist attacks during the October 3 to 14 Games.

CGF president Michael Fennell accuses those who question India's capacity to provide adequate security, and to have the venues finished on time, of Western snobbery.

"If a problem occurs in India then it is viewed differently to the same problem in another country," he says.

"The fact is there is always a security risk. Everybody has to make their own decisions, but if you don't go [to Delhi] I suggest you don't travel anywhere in the world."

CWG Organising Committee wants Mattoo to continue

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) The 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) today said it will take a call on treasurer A K Mattoo's resignation tomorrow but would like to see the veteran sports administrator continue in his post.

OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot told PTI that the committee was yet to receive copy of Mattoo's resignation and would take a decision only after a discussion with chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

"We have not received his resignation till now. We can take a decision only when it is in our hand. Today being Sunday, we will look into the matter tomorrow once Mr Kalmadi arrives here from Pune," Bhanot, also the OC spokesperson, said.

"But we will obviously request him to continue. We don't have any differences with him. But at the end of the day it would be his personal decision," he said.

CWG officials rule out England’s pullout

CWG officials rule out England’s pullout

New Delhi/London, Dec 30: Indian and English Commonwealth Games’ officials on Wednesday denied British media reports which said England could pull out of the 2010 Games in New Delhi over fears that their athletes would be targeted by Pakistani terrorists. Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of 2010 Organising Committee (OC), denied all such reports. “There is no truth in it. The British Commonwealth Games have also denied this report,” he said in New Delhi.

Games: Security equipment to cost Rs 300 cr

Security for the Commonwealth Games will be one of the costliest, with equipment cost alone going over Rs 300 crore. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which will host the opening and closing ceremonies, will have security gadgets worth Rs 51 crore.

At Rs 41 crore, the Indira Gandhi Stadium follows close behind, while the practice venues at the Delhi University have a much lesser security budget of Rs 1.5 crore.

The Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), set up by the Government of India in 1967, will provide CCTV cameras and other security gadgets for the venues.

H C Kalra, general manager of ECIL, told Newsline that the ECIL develops technologies for defence and security purposes, and that they provide equipment to the Defence Ministry and the Delhi Secretariat.

Commonwealth Games gold is next target: Chetan

Amit Kumar Das

New Delhi, Dec 25 (PTI) Ace Indian shuttler Chetan Anand dreams of winning a gold medal in next year's Commonwealth Games and says he would prepare for the mega event in a such way that he gets regular match practice and also improve on fitness front.

The winner of the recently held Syed Modi Grand Prix is hoping that home conditions would help him realise his dream.

"I am aiming to win a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games next year. Playing at home will be a huge advantage and I think I should exploit the conditions to put pressure on my rivals and play to my strength," Chetan told PTI.

Talking about his preparation for the next season, Chetan said focus would be on better planning with major emphasis on fitness.

‘Progress, but Games still face substantial risk’

Noting that the Organising Committee (OC) is “turning the corner” and a “substantial progress” has been made in the Commonwealth Games preparations since October, the CGF’s Coordination Commission, however, warns in its report that the 2010 event still risks an operational failure as many key functional areas are lagging behind.

The eight-member CoCom, headed by Commonwealth Games Federation treasurer Austin Sealy, visited the Capital last week for its sixth periodical review of the Games’ progress.

“The OC and its delivery partners have demonstrated substantial progress since the last CoCom, in particular the last two months,” the report said.

Additional machinery, staff to speed up CWG preparation: Govt

STAFF WRITER 15:25 HRS IST
New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) The apprehensions regarding the progress of work notwithstanding, the Indian government today insisted that the venues for next year's Commonwealth Games would be completed on time by deploying additional machinery and increasing the number of supervisory staff.

Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Prakashbapu Patil said the the progress of work was being monitored closely.

"The work on all the competition venues is progressing at a rapid pace, recovery plans have been worked out, wherever required, which inter-alia, includes increase in the number of supervisory staff and labour, increase in working hours, deployment of additional machinery, close monitoring and procurement of critical and special items, to compete the work within the revised targets," Patil said.

MAMC to take care of 2010 Games athletes' dental health

New Delhi: Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) was on Tuesday entrusted the task to attend to dental emergency and to provide complete dental health care to over 7,000 athletes and delegates during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), which is a part of the MAMC, will also set up its base in Talkatora Stadium and National Stadium during the mega sports event in October next year.

"Apart from the designated hospitals and Games Village, emergency health service facilities will also be set up at the Games stadiums like National Stadium, where hockey will be played, and Talkatora Indoor Stadium where boxing will take place. Both are dangerous sports and need medical attention. The emergency services will be backed by well equipped ambulances, medical surgeons and support staff," Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.

"The other areas of health emergency services will be covered by G.B.Pant Hospital. Apart from these nodal health care centres, a state of the art well-equipped, round-the-clock polyclinic will be set up at the Commonwealth Games village."

"These facilities will be operational a day before the Village opens until one day after the Village is officially closed," Dikshit said after inaugurating a dental health fair at MAMC campus.

MAIDS principal Mahesh Verma said, "The hospital is ready for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. There shall be two operating dental chairs and two dental surgeons posted round the clock in three shift duties. Besides, one Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon shall be on call to take care of trauma of the head at the Games Village." IANS

Nehru stadium to miss March deadline

NEW DELHI: As the first day of the review meeting of the coordination commission (CoCom) with the organising committee kicked off on Monday, sources admitted that the OC has a tough job ahead.

From venue operationalization to procurement details, the CoCom would be looking at a much-improved preparation schedule to the Commonwealth Games 2010 — a task that, sources say, could get a jolt with the delay in operations of some of the key venues, specially Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Said a senior official, ‘‘Though most of the venues are expected to be ready on schedule around March, the JN Stadium could get delayed beyond that.’’ This was also discussed at the annual general meeting held earlier this month, where it was revealed that JN Stadium may be handed over to the OC as late as May-June.

Incidentally, the stadium is the venue for not only the opening and closing ceremonies but is also the competitive venue for athletics and weightlifting.

Venue operationalization had been one of the major concerns of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) at the general assembly meeting held in October this year. At that time, CGF chief Mike Fennell had raised questions about the OC’s preparedness on this front, apart from other areas of concern like the lack of international experts for various functional areas as well as procurement for the Games. OC officials, however, claimed the concerns raised at that time had all been addressed in the intervening two months.

While Kalmadi said ‘‘considerable progress’’ had been made in all areas since the last CoCom visit in May, he cited advances made in the functioning of the OC with a more relevant workforce as well as the appointment of experts in various key functional areas as right steps. ‘‘Finances are under control, with revenue from sales of TV rights having already exceeded expectations,’’ Kalmadi added.

That the OC is expecting positive feedback from the review meeting is apparent as secretary, ministry of sports, Sindhushree Khullar, candidly admitted that constructive advise was expected from the CoCom. ‘‘A lot of time has been spent in explaining things instead of getting on with the task of ensuring the Games are conducted well. The level of monitoring the progress of the Games has gone up. Your (CoCom) advice will help us get on with it,’’ said Khullar.

CoCom members were tightlipped about the meeting, with Mike Hooper, CGF representative in India refusing to comment on how the presentations went. The CoCom is expected to present its report to Fennell later this week

Soruce:TOI

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to miss CWG deadline

NEW DELHI: As the first day of the review meeting of the coordination commission (CoCom) with the organising committee kicked off on Monday, sources admitted that the OC has a tough job ahead.

From venue operationalization to procurement details, the CoCom would be looking at a much-improved preparation schedule to the Commonwealth Games 2010 - a task that, sources say, could get a jolt with the delay in operations of some of the key venues, specially Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

C'wealth Games low on priority, British gymnasts pull out

The top British gymnasts will skip the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi but the media here is not sure whether it was the fear of 'Delhi Belly' or the scheduling of the event that prompted such reaction from the sports administrators in London.

'The Daily Telegraph' reported it was the fear of 'Delhi Belly', which forced British gymnasts Beth Tweddle, Louis Smith and Daniel Keatings to skip Commonwealth Games, which is still a good 10 months away.

"It's not just the travel and jet lag but the potential for tummy bugs and diarrhoea that exists in making the trip. We just cannot afford to take the risk when so much is at stake," Eddie van Hoof, British Gymnastics' performance director, was quoted as saying by the daily.

Cong may fail to hold Commonwealth Games on time, says Rudy

JAMSHEDPUR: From politics to sports, BJP is taking postshots at the Congress wherever and whenever possible. Now, casting aspersions on the timely hosting of the Commonwealth Games next year, party spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy expressed doubt over the timely hosting of the Commonwealth Games next year.

Taking strong exception to the repeated deferment of the 34th National Games in the state, he said what the Congress has done with the National Games in Jharkhand will also be the fate of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. "I am afraid the Commonwealth Games will not be held on time. The Congress-led UPA government at the Centre will bring shame to us in the world the way it has done in the national circuit (read National Games)," alleged Rudy.

In the context of the Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennel's concerns over the timely hosting of the Games, Rudy said: "In the year 2003, India earned the right to host the 19th edition of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. But the infrastructure is not ready till date."

The BJP leader further accused the Congress of being involved neck deep in the corrupt and unethical activities of Jharkhand. He said former Governor Syed Sibtey Razi was one of those who is accountable for the financial irregularities as well as the successive postponement of the 34th National Games in the state.

"The state is under President's Rule for the past one year and before that it was ruled by the Congress-backed UPA government for three-and-a-half years. Still, the National Games could not be held," said Rudy, while talking to the media on Wednesday afternoon.

Claiming that the arrest of former chief minister Madhu Koda was a political move of the Congress to regain lost ground in the state, he said: "Initially, it (Congress) took a calculated risk by framing corruption charges against Koda. Later, when it realized that people in general held Congress equally responsible for Koda's misdeeds, it (Congress) dared to arrest the former CM." source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

India pushing hard to ready CWG infrastructure in time: Gill

New Delhi, Nov 25: India is “pushing the hardest” to ensure that the infrastructure for the 2010 Commonwealth Games is ready in time, Sports Minister M S Gill said on Wednesday as MPs across the spectrum expressed concern in the Rajya Sabha over the country’s preparedness to host the event.

“We are here in a situation where we are pushing the hardest to see that the infrastructure is ready in time to enable the staging of test events (before the October 3-14, 2010 Games),” Gill said while responding to a calling attention motion in the house.

“It is now a question of coming out with dignity and honour. Today the country, the people, the prime minister, everyone is clear; please get it ready in time,” the minister maintained. “This is something that concerns me all the time,” he said, adding that a group of ministers under Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy meets once a week to monitor the progress in constructing the stadium and other infrastructure.

'C'wealth games could be the most humiliating experience'

The Opposition on Wednesday slammed the Government in the Rajya Sabha over the delays in preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games with Samajwadi member Jaya Bachchan voicing fears that the event will be the "most humilating experience" for the country.

Sports Minister MS Gill on his part sought to allay the fears of the opposition on the State of preparedness and assured that infrastructure for the showpiece event here would be ready in time.

Raising the issue during Calling Attention Motion in the Upper House, the opposition also attacked the Government over the recent controversy between the Organizing Committee(OC) and Commonwealth Games Federation(CGF).

Actor-turned Samajwadi party MP Jaya Bachchan said, "We are here to laugh at ourselves...To make a mockery of the whole show. It is going to be the most humiliating experience for the country." She also asked Gill to accept the ground realities regarding the state of preparedness.

Pointing to the "ugly conflict" between the OC and CGF organizations, Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House Arun Jaitley said the Government should ensure that a situation of "less of sports and more of a conflict, which is a clash of personalities" does not emerge at the time of the games. The games are due to be held in October next.

He said it was a legitimate concern whether the infrastructure needed for the games will be completed in time.

Jaitley said there was no plausible reason why the work for the stadium construction began in 2008 when games were allotted to the country in 2003 itself.

Gill however said, "the stadia will be completed in time....Work is progress at a rapid pace." http://www.dailypioneer.com

CWG would be a success, Gill assures Rajya Sabha

TAFF WRITER 14:48 HRS IST

New Delhi, Nov 25 (PTI) Responding to a calling attention motion on next year's Commonwealth Games, Sports Minister M S Gill today assured the Rajya Sabha that all preparations for the multi-discipline event would be completed well in time to ensure that the country hosts it successfully.

The motion regarding the preparation for the Games scheduled in Delhi from October 3 to 14 was tabled by Kalraj Mishra, Mahendra Mohan and O T Lepcha.

"In the overall scheme for the preparation for the Commonwealth Games, the sports infrastructure is to be developed by government agencies, and funded directly by the Government," Gill told the House in is response.

"The responsibility for the Conduct and Delivery of the Games is of the Organising Committee. For this purpose, the OC is funded upfront by the Government as a loan, to be recouped on the basis of revenue neutrality.

CWG infrastructure, stadia to be ready in time: Gill

STAFF WRITER 12:56 HRS IST

New Delhi, Nov 25 (PTI) Allaying fears of delay in preparation for the Commonwealth Games 2010, Government today assured Rajya Sabha that all state-of-the-art stadia and infrastructure will be completed in time and security steps taken to ensure that the mega event is incident-free.

"The stadia will be completed in time. The Government is investing substantial amounts for upgradation of various stadia to be used for the games. These stadia will become state-of-the-of international standart venues ard," Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports M S Gill said.

In a statement on the Calling Attention on the preparation for Commonwealth Games, he said that the financial sanctions for all the stadia, estimated to cost around Rs 4,100 crore, have been accorded and "work is progress at a rapid pace".

Glasgow's miles cleaner

It can't shock many that the budget for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is on the way north, by £81 million.

Big ticket budgets in the public sector have a nasty habit of slipping, and by a long way.

The question for Glasgow, as for the London Olympics, is what the legacy will be after the athletes have gone home.

The plan is for a regenerated area of each city's east end, just as Manchester benefited.

That's why the athletes' village in Glasgow is being planned with a view to transforming it into permanent use as a new housing estate.

The designer specification is for flats and houses that can suit both purposes. And I'm told that the main difference between an athlete's needs and those of the average Glaswegian is their bathing requirements.

According to one of those at the heart of the plan, the village will have an unusually high number of showers in each new home.

Further comment, from me at least, is probably unwise. source: http://www.bbc.co.uk