Sheila reviews work at three 2010 Games sites

NEW DELHI: A day after a labourer was killed in an accident at the Commonwealth Games Village site, CM-designate Sheila Diskhit visited three Games-related projects on Monday to review the progress of construction work. She reiterated her commitment to facilitate the success of the event in 2010 which would enhance Delhi's image, an official release said.

The CM, with a fleet of officials from her office, MCD, PWD, CPWD and Sports Authority of India (SAI), visited the Thyagraj Sports Complex, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, besides reviewing the status of Salim Garh fort bypass project, which is yet to get a go ahead from Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC).

The CM had sought the mandate to carry out development works for the Games during her election campaign.

Dikshit reportedly instructed officials to ensure uniform signages and fool-proof security measures at all the venues. According to CMO, the construction is in full swing and is one month ahead of the schedule. Dikshit asked the MCD to give a facelift to neighbouring localities, the release said.

She was told by officials at JLN Stadium, where upgradation, renovation and new construction are in progress, that the venue would be used for the opening and closing events and three competitions. This is going to be disabled-friendly and environment-friendly. Officials also claimed that the renovated gymnastics stadium, with a capacity to accommodate 16,000 persons, and the new wrestling stadium, with a capacity of 7,500 persons, would be completed in December, 2009. New Velodrome Stadium, having a capacity of 4,000 persons, would be ready by March 2010.

PWD officials also presented the case of DUAC delaying the go ahead for Salim Garh Fort bypass project on the Ring Road. "Since this is also a crucial project and related to the Games, she has told us to take up the issue with the DUAC. We are hopeful of an NOC from the agency soon. A team of DUAC officials would visit the site in the next few days. The authority has certain reservations regarding the number of trees to be axed,'' said a senior PWD official.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Delhi/Sheila_reviews_work_at_three_2010_Games_sites/articleshow/3842582.cms

Delhi varsities to be upgraded for Commonwealth Games 2010

New Delhi: In 2010, Delhi will play host to the third largest multi-sporting event in the world, with tens of thousands of visitors descending upon the city. To prepare itself for this, the city is planning a major overhaul of its urban infrastructure as well as its sporting facilities.

Commencing from October 3rd in 2010, the amazing bouquet of exquisite sport events will continue up to October 14th.

The Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. M.S. Gill, recently said that a total of Rs.339 crores will be required for the upgradation and development of the venues of Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2010.

The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Siri Fort Sports Complex, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium etc. are not just the ones undergoing massive development and upgradation, universities across the capital are also set for an extensive renovation.

The venues including the ones at Delhi University (DU), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Delhi Public School (DPS), R.K. Puram will be upgraded and developed for various competitions and training of sportspersons during the event.

Delhi University (DU) has been selected as the venue for Aquatics and Rugby 7's events.

The varsity is planning to set up an advanced Aquatics complex and a coaching centre to groom the budding talents, keeping in mind the CWG-standards.

The varsity will have four swimming pools including an Olympic size (50 metres) swimming pool, a synchronized swimming pool, warm-up pool and diving pool, each outfitted with a filtration plant and heating system.

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has been selected as the training venue for Lawn Bowls, Rugby 7's and Table Tennis for the mega event.

For enhancing the playing capabilities and medal prospects of Indian sportspersons in the context of the Commonwealth Games 2010, an amount of Rs.678 crores has been approved by the Government towards training; domestic/international competitions in India; foreign exposure; equipments and scientific back-up for the sportspersons.

The target of providing state-of-the-art training is to about 1280 players belonging to 18 sports, in which competition would take place during CWG 2010.

Source:http://indiaedunews.net/Delhi/Delhi_varsities_to_be_upgraded_for_Commonwealth_Games_2010_6835/

Sports ministry develops web-based monitoring system for CWG

NEW DELHI: Amid reports of lax preparation of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, sports ministry has gone high-tech by developing a "web-based monitoring system" to make sure all work is completed on time.

Sports minister MS Gill assured that preparations were on full swing and revealed that they were using the state-of-the-art system to keep a tab on preparations so that the deadline to carry out the job was met.

"After obtaining the necessary regulatory clearances, the work on the 13 competition venues and most of the training venues has commenced and is continuing apace," Gill said.

"Time Lines, against monitorable parameters are being monitored, on a web-based monitoring system developed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports," he told the Rajya Sabha in reply to a question on Thursday.

"The projects are expected to be completed in time for the Commonwealth Games," he added.

Delhi was recently asked by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to speed up their preparations for the prestigious quadrennial event.

SORUCE: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Other_Sports/Others/Sports_ministry_develops_web-based_monitoring_system_for_CWG/articleshow/3824057.cms

India needs more international hockey fields: Australian firm

Melbourne, Nov 7 (IANS) A Melbourne-based global manufacturer of synthetic sporting surfaces, which has been installing hockey surfaces and athletic tracks across India, says international standard synthetic surfaces are crucial for India to regain its golden days of hockey domination in the world.”When hockey moved to synthetic surfaces, India lost out because it currently uses natural grass surfaces. If India wants to push ahead with regaining its supremacy over the game, it needs international standard fields and that is where we come into play with our Poligras XL surfaces,” Advanced Polymer Technology Australasia Pty. Ltd’s managing director, Martin Schlegel, told IANS.

Sports Technology International (STI), a member of Advanced Polymer Technology (APT) Group, is one of the largest and most technologically advanced synthetic sports surface companies in the world with ISO-9001 accredited standard manufacturing facilities in Melbourne.

Its unique sporting surface is made with a low-sliding resistance microfibre yarn and sits on an in-situ built elastic layer which provides exceptional shock absorption for players. This innovative hockey surface has been accredited by the International Hockey Federation and is completely manufactured at Sports Technology International’s factory in Dandenong, Victoria, a 60-minute drive from Melbourne.

STI had recently installed synthetic turf at the official hockey site for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the athletics track facilities for the just concluded third Commonwealth Youth Games held in Pune.

With nine hockey surfaces and five running tracks projects under way in major cities across the length and breadth of the country, STI is also in the fray for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Earlier, the company installed sporting surfaces for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, the 2006 Asian Games in Doha (Qatar) and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, besides facilities for various Champions Trophies across the world. “Next year’s Champions Trophy matches hosted in Australia will be also be played on Poligras surfaces,” Schlegel points out.

“We have installed the Steel Authority of India’s hockey facility, using Poligras XL, and a running track for Infosys in Bangalore. However, working in India can be difficult and challenging. Logistically, it is the only country where for implementing projects we have a stipulation that all materials will have to arrive at the same time for customs clearance. In other countries, we get the material as the project progresses,” Schlegel told IANS.

“The other challenge is dealing with the levels of authorities involved in signing the project, which makes it a very lengthy process and also affects cash flow,” he adds.

The company services the construction and contracting industry in the elite sports market, supplying tennis courts, bowling greens, and hockey, football, rugby and multi-sport playing fields as well as athletic running tracks.

Source: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/india-needs-more-international-hockey-fields-australian-firm_100115997.html

F1 race arrival to India delayed by a year to 2011: Kalmadi

New Delhi, Nov 6 (PTI) India's date with high-profile Formula One race is delayed by another year to 2011, Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi said today but refused to give any reason for it.
"Formula One will be held in India in 2011. Berni (Ecclestone, Formula One supremo) and GP Group are working on this plan," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function.

Kalmadi, who had been saying that F1 race will be held in Greater Noida in 2010, however, did not give any reason for the delay.

"I don't know," he said parrying an answer to the queries regarding reasons for the delay.

This followed after President and CEO of Formula One Management Bernie Ecclestone said last month that the Indian Grand Prix will only be inserted in the 2011 season.

IOA signed a deal -- reportedly for 10 years -- in June last year to host F1 in Greater Noida and the site for the race track was surveyed by Hermann Tilke who has designed most new F1 tracks over the past decade including Sepang, Bahrain, Shanghai, Istanbul, Singapore.

Kalmadi expressed happiness that Olympic sports is on the rise in India after the Beijing Games and fine showing by the country in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune last month.

"We won the first individual gold, won bronze in boxing and wrestling in Beijing. It is not about only one or two disciplines. Our youth did well in the recent Commonwealth Youth Games by finishing on top. So, Olympic sports are beginning to do well," he said at a function to celebrate '700 Days to go for the 2010 Commonwealth Games'. PTI

Source: http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/C0EA732BECA6B4AF652574F9003659BC?OpenDocument

IOA signs MoU with Kerala Olympic Association for 2010 National Games

New Delhi, Nov.7 (ANI): The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi today (November 07) signs MoU with Olympic Committee of government of Kerala for the 35th edition of the national games going to be held in the month of May in 2010.

“Today we have signed MoU with Olympic Committee, Government of Kerala for the 35th edition of the National Games, which are going to be held in May in 2010. The national games have been allotted in 2007-08-09 and we have got lot of motivation from Olympic sports. We won medals in Olympics and first unusual gold medal. We won 126 medals in Pune Youth Games also, so Olympic sport is coming alive in India so it’’s a good sign to feel happy for. New champions will create through national games, so the national games are being organised every year,” said Suresh Kalmadi, president, IOA.

He further added that the preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games are progressing as per the schedule and the necessary infrastructure needed for the New Delhi Games will be ready by 2009.

“Common Junior Games held recently in Pune and have been very successful. Both the opening and closing were very good and allcountries came, so it’’s a very good thing. The infrastructure will get ready for commonwealth games by 2009 and no doubt that it will be the best of commonwealth games. We have conducted several meeting for security measures. The security arrangements were very good in Pune and we are hoping that it will be good in Delhi also. We have won 76 medals in common youth games, so what will happen in senior, you know well,” added Suresh Kalmadi, president, IOA.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in Delhi from October 3-14, 2010. This will be the largest multi-sport event conducted till date in Delhi and India generally, which has previously hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

Source: http://www.newspostonline.com/sports/ioa-signs-mou-with-kerala-olympic-association-for-2010-national-games-2008110712762

Shooting star Deepika eyeing Commonwealth Games

PUNE: After striking gold in the 10 metres air-pistol event in the Youth Commonwealth Games, Deepika Patel has now set her sights on the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

With just two years left for the big event, the 17-year-old from Varanasi feels her performance in Pune will help her graduate to a higher level and will be shooting alongside her idol Anjali Bhagwat.

"The gold will boost my career. Now I will start preparing for the Commonwealth Games. But my ultimate dream is to represent India at the Olympics and I will give my best to be at the London Games in 2012," a calm and composed Deepika said.

For the last five years Deepika has been balancing her shooting and studies. She is now in the 12th standard and wants to concentrate fully on shooting once her board exams are over.

"This year is very crucial for me. It is tough to manage between school and practice, but my teachers are very cooperative. I have not much time left for my board exams. Now I will concentrate on my studies and take up shooting after the boards," she said.

She attributes her success to her parents and coach.

"I feel blessed. My coach SP Bhattacharya, my entire family and the District Rifle club Varanasi taught me small things and I am successful today because of their help," said the teenager.

Like Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, Deepika's father Mahesh has built a 10 metres personal shooting range for her on the terrace of their house in Varanasi.

"The range was the best gift I got from my father. I don't have to depend on anyone for training. This sport involves a lot of mental training and my coach helps me with it. I do a little bit of yoga but, mostly it is positive thinking which keeps me going," she added.

Her father Mahesh, who runs a handloom mill in Varanasi, introduced Deepika to shooting at the age of eight.

"We are a big joint family, I have one boy and two girls, Deepika is the eldest. I had always dreamt big for my kids. After India's ace shooter Jaspal Rana shot to fame I decided my kids will follow suit," he said.

Soruce: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3676109.cms?TOI_Sports_mostread

Delhi's dream airport on fast track

Delhiites for long have been promised a new airport, a world class facility that will more than make up for years of dripping ceilings and long queues they have faced. An airport that will become the face of Delhi when Commonwealth Games are held here in 2010. Over 25,000 people have been toiling ceaselessly for the past several months to turn this into reality. Most of them are faceless and, probably, will have little stake in the airport they are building. The project was awarded to GMR-led Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) in 2006. DIAL is developing the project in collaboration with Fraport, Eraman Malaysia, Airports Authority of India and India Development Fund. The Operations, Management and Development Agreement was signed in April 2006. USbased Brinckerhoff International Inc was appointed project management consultants and L&T was given design and construction. The foundation stone for the new i n t e g r at e d terminal, or T3 as it is better known, was laid on February 17, 2007. Work for the airport, with a capacity of 37 million passengers per year, has to be completed in 37 months, that is by March 2010. When the new integrated terminal is ready, the entire passenger capacity of the airport will be a whopping 60 million passengers per annum, sufficient till 2019. The new runway, which will take the flight-handling capacity of the airport to 65-70 flights per hour as against the present 35 per hour, is already ready. At the site, 22,000 labourers, mostly from Bihar, West Bengal and UP, supervised by 1,665 personnel from DIAL, consultants from Parsons Brinckerhoff and L&T , have been working round the clock to build an airport that will rival some of the best in the world, including the Hong Kong airport. Anil Dhawan, vice-president , construction, DIAL, says that about 200 skilled workers from abroad have been brought in to work along with the local labour, and by next year, a total of 1,000 such workers, mostly from the Middle East, would be working at T3. A whopping 20,000 w o rk e r s have been staying on site, with their families, to ensure that work is carried out uninterrupted, 24x7. Phua Chai Teck, vice-president , airport planning and development , told Times City, that the entire planning for the project took only six months though the norm is about a year for similar projects. ‘‘ The reason why we will be able to complete our work in the stipulated time is because all our work is happening simultaneously. We started construction even as planning was underway and tried to take forward all our work together. We have been able to stick to our original plans with very minor changes,’’ revealed I Prabhakar Rao, CEO, airport development. Transporting the huge quantity of material for the project was quite a task. About 500 trucks are coming to the site daily with supplies . Bitumen is being sourced from Panipat and Mathura. Other material and machines were brought in from various countries , including granite from Saudi Arabia, machines from Germany and cranes from Italy. The new runway used 1.65 lakh tonnes of cement which was sourced from 15 different suppliers! While the deadline may seem very close, officials are confident that work will be completed well in time. ‘‘ A lot of work is already over. The basic structure of the new terminal is in place and we have a sufficiently trained work force to ensure there are no hiccups ,’’ said Rao.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/Delhis_dream_airport_on_fast_track/articleshow/3525612.cms#

Flintshire athletes to compete in junior Commonwealth Games

Published Date: 25 September 2008 TWO of Flintshire's future sporting champions will put their skills to the test after winning a place in the Wales team to take on Commonwealth opposition.
Matthew James, 18, of Sychdyn, and Thomas Allen, of Hope, Flintshire, have been selected to represent Wales in the Commonwealth Youth Games, which will be held in the Indian city of Pune.Matthew, a tennis player and Thomas, a swimmer, will join a 37-strong team of young Welsh athletes travelling to India for the games, which begin on October 13.Matthew, who has been a keen tennis player since he was seven, said he is delighted to have been selected after devoting most of his time over the last two years to improving his skills.He said: "I have spent a lot of time training and have played all over the world in junior tournaments."Since leaving school, I have done bits of home tutoring here and there but have dedicated most of my time to keeping up with my tennis."My junior ranking was high enough this year for me to be selected and I am really pleased to be given this opportunity."The success of the athletes from Wales at the Beijing Olympics has been a real boost to me too, and I can't wait to get to Pune to compete."In total, 71 countries will be competing and many of the athletes of the future will be taking part.Thomas, a dedicated swimmer, said: "I'm really pleased to have been selected for the team and to be given the opportunity to represent my country."I'm really looking forward to the experience and will be working hard over the next weeks with final preparations for the games."Chris Jenkins, Commonwealth Games Council for Wales director, said: "The Commonwealth Youth Games are very important for young athletes, as it gives them invaluable experience of competing on an international stage."Many of the athletes taking part in the Youth Games will be strong candidates for Delhi 2010 and beyond for London in 2012."
The full article contains 348 words and appears in n/a newspaper.

Tourist transporters seek sops for Commonwealth Games 2010

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) A leading association of tourist transporters Wednesday sought active cooperation from the government in providing better transport facility for visitors to the city during the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
‘The government at the centre and in the state should extend all possible help to tourist transporters to ensure visitors coming to Delhi for the event do not face any hardship,’ said Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA).
Delhi’s Commonwealth Games 2010 are scheduled to start Oct 3, 2010.
‘Looking at the magnitude of the event, there is a need for coordinated efforts from all the stakeholders to make the Commonwealth Games a stupendous success,’ ITTA president Sarabjit Singh told reporters here.
He said ITTA’s city-based members have over 7,500 tourist vehicles, including around 300 luxury coaches.
‘The organising committee for the Games should decide on the type of vehicles required and suited for the event and prospective users. Accordingly, we will work out our fleet building strategy,’ he said.
Singh also sought incentives like tax exemption for the tourist transporters to help them upgrade their fleet.
‘The tourist transport operators should be allowed duty-free import of luxury vehicles, and should be given exemption from excise duty and value added tax on the purchase of vehicles within India,’ said Singh.

Source: http://www.sindhtoday.net/south-asia/23258.htm

64 Archers to be provided training for commonwealth games

The Sports Ministry has decided to provide state of art training and exposure both at domestic and international levels to 64 Archers for preparing them for the world class performance. Under the Scheme for “Preparation of Indian Teams for Commonwealth Games, 2010, the Steering Committee has approved the names of 39 Archers so far, for their inclusion in the “Core Group” of sportspersons . In addition, three Indian and one Foreign Coaches have also been identified in consultations with Archery Association of India (AAI).
The following names of sportspersons were approved for their inclusion in the Core Group under the Scheme:Under the Scheme, training is to be provided 32 Archers each in men & women category . It also makes provision for appointment of 12 Indian and 2 Foreign coaches. AAI has been asked to furnish the more names to fill all slots .

The Steering Committee constituted by the Government under the Scheme, has also directed the AAI to submit without delay the names of supporting personnel such as Sports Analyst, Doctor , Physiotherapist, Masseur and Masseuse as per the Scheme for its approval. As required under the Scheme, the Steering Committee has also directed to AAI to prepare in consultation with Sports Authority of India (SAI) the Annual Calendar of Training & Competitions (ACTC) for imparting training of 305 days in a year for the period from August 2008 to 31st March 2009. During the meeting, the AAI informed the Committee that Sports Authority of India Centre, Kolkatta, Tata Sports Academy, Jamshedpur and Army Sports Centre, Pune have been identified as centres for imparting training to the Core Group of sportspersons. For providing infrastructural and equipment support, the Committee has asked the AAI to submit their requirements, if any.
With an objective to enhance transparency and placing all information relating to the Scheme in public domain, the Committee has also emphasized the AAI , the need to develop a comprehensive website which should inter-alia contain the names, profiles of players, compilation of various facilities for the sports available country-wide (indicating levels of such facilities and under whose control/jurisdiction) and also names, Profiles, levels of Coaches, Supporting Personnel of the Sport available, Sports equipment necessary for that sport, list of suppliers in India and abroad, training facilities available overseas, list of major competitions / tournaments in India and abroad, details of the National Federation (with names of office bearer and their telephone numbers etc.), International Federation etc. The Committee directed the AAI to start the website within two months and communicate to it.
Dr. M S Gill, the Union Sports Minister directed the Steering Committee constituted under the Scheme to complete the process of identification of Core Group of Sportspersons and supporting personnel in respect of all disciplines in consultation with federations at the earliest so as to fully operationalise the Scheme expeditiously. He called for feedback from the stakeholders including players about Core sportspersons and coaches selected under the Scheme and said that the Ministry will look into the feedback seriously and take appropriate action.
It may be recalled that the Union Cabinet on 12th June, 2008 gave its approval for a Scheme titled “Preparation of Indian Team for Commonwealth Games, 2010, with an outlay of Rs. 678.00 crore for three years starting from 2008-09. The objectives of the Scheme are as follows:
To improve India’s competitiveness in international sports and to enhance the medals tally in major international events particularly the Commonwealth Youth Games, 2008 and Commonwealth Games, 2010;
To institutionalize a system for preparation of elite sportspersons for prestigious international competitive events which would inter-alia, also include qualifying championships for major international events;
To improve state of art training and better competitive opportunities to elite sportspersons / medal prospects; and
To develop a system of selection of sportspersons based on performance monitoring in the run upto the international event.
The Scheme aims to impart state of the art training to our sportspersons (medal probables) both in India and abroad with adequate sports sciences back up, with the objective of maximizing Indian medals’ tally in the Commonwealth Games, 2010.

Source: http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=43057

State-of-the-art training for 150 shooters for 2010 CWG

NEW DELHI: The Sports Ministry today decided to provide state-of-the-art training and exposure, both at domestic and international levels, to 150 shooters keeping in mind the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Under the scheme for "Preparation of Indian Teams for Commonwealth Games, 2010", the Steering Committee has approved the names of 63 shooters (35 Men and 28 Women) so far, for their inclusion in the "Core Group" of sportspersons. In addition, National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has been asked to submit the panel of 15 Indian and 4 Foreign coaches earmarked for shooting discipline to the Steering Committee for its approval at the next meeting. Among those identified so far to form the Core Group include Abhinav Bindra, Anjali Bhagwat, Gagan Narang, Avneet Kaur Sidhu, Sanjeev Rajput, Tejaswini Sawant, P T Raghunath, Suma Shirur, Samaresh Jung, Anuja Jung, RVS Rathor, Moraad Ali Khan and Manavjit Singh Sandhu. Under the scheme, training is to be provided to 100 men and 50 women shooters. NRAI has been asked to furnish more names to fill all slots. The Steering Committee constituted by the Government under the scheme, has also directed the NRAI to submit without delay the names of support staff, such as a sports Analyst, and three mental trainers or psychologists for its approval. Sports Minister M S Gill had directed the Steering Committee to complete the process of identification of core group of sportspersons and support staff in respect of all disciplines in consultation with national federations at the earliest to fully operationalise the scheme expeditiously. The Cabinet on June 12, 2008 gave its approval for a scheme titled "Preparation of Indian Team for Commonwealth Games, 2010", with an outlay of Rs 678.00 crore for three years starting from 2008-09.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/State-of-the-art_training_for_150_shooters_for_2010_CWG/articleshow/3526872.cms#

Not enough hotel rooms for Commonwealth Games 2010

With the Commonwealth Games barely 25 months away, the government is pulling up its socks to ensure timely completion of hotels, stadia and Games Village for the mega event.

soruce: www.mid-day.com

TT coach focusses on 2010 Commonwealth Games

New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) With a medal at Olympics still a distant dream for Indian table tennis, the team's Belarussian coach Aleksey Yefremov has focussed his energies on preparing the paddlers for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held here.Yefremov said he would leave no stone unturned to achieve the target of coming up with the best performance at the Delhi Commonwealth Games."My priority is to prepare ourselves to put up a good performance in the Commonwealth Games, which will be hosted in the Indian capital in 2010. We are working very hard to achieve our target," he said.The foreign coach, who was appointed after being recommended by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) earlier this year, strongly believes that more international outings would sharpen skills of Indian paddlers."To perform well in the international arena, we have to play much more international matches, which, I think, will help our paddlers to know about different types of players and their techniques all over the world. These will certainly add to their experience."Domestic tournaments are good, but internationals are important as well. Table tennis is not a game of reflex only, but of experience also," Yefremov insisted.The coach believes the same formula applies to India's Olympics preparations also and said more international matches should be arranged for the two Beijing-bound paddlers Achanta Sharath Kamal and Neha Aggarwal."Both of them are highly talented and could change many calculations on their day as a lot depends on how a player is performing on a particular day or the moment.

Source: http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/7FFC7F4BC59B8A896525748D002FF3A9?OpenDocument

Don't expect miracle at Olympics: Kalmadi

NEW DELHI, July 21: Choosing not to make false promises to the nation just a fortnight before the Olympic Games, Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi has categorically said that sports lovers of the country should not expect any miracle in China. "Our senior team was the runners up in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and the juniors have won the Asia Cup just a few days back. We have to now sit up and make the roadmap for hockey," he said. "Things are otherwise also moving well in Indian sports but don't expect too many medals in China," said Kalmadi at the book release of 'Olympics: The India Story' by Boria Majumdar and Nalin Mehta last night. "Archers and shooters are looking in good stead though," he said. Kalmadi said the IOA was focussing on the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi in 2010 after which 2012 London Olympics would be the target for India. "The Government has sanctioned Rs 700 crore for the 2010 Commonwealth Games which will be used on 310 days of training of athletes. We have to ensure good Games in 2010 in Delhi which will form a base for our performance in the London Olympics. "We've to be at least second in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi after which we will charge up for London," he added. Kalmadi also appealed to the corporates to come forward and support the Olympic sports instead of going gaga over cricket to realise India's Olympic dream. "The industries should come forward. They don't realise that even one gold medal in Olympics will give them so much mileage," he said. Kalmadi said it was the time to make a roadmap for Indian hockey as the senior and junior teams were doing extremely well. IOA General Secretary Randhir Singh also echoed Kalmadi's sentiments and said cricket hogs all the limelight while it was time that corporates concentrate on the Olympic disciplines. "We are far behind in the Olympic disciplines, the kind of money that's needed is not there as cricket hogs all the limelight," Randhir said. "But we will introduce a value education programme like China and other countries when International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogges arrives in Pune during the Commonwealth Youth Games in October," he said.

Source: http://sports.indiatimes.com/Dont_expect_miracle_in_China/articleshow/3264210.cms

Mark gets set for Games

OLYMPIC and Commonwealth Games clay target shooting champion Russell Mark is in the twilight of a 22-year international career.
The 1996 Olympic double trap gold medallist and 2006 Comonwealth Games champion is in Darwin this week to prepare for what is likely to be his last Olympics in Beijing.The 44-year-old from the Victorian city of Ballarat was also world champion in 1994 and '97 and part of Australia's world title wins in 1998 and '99. Now an executive board member of the Australian Olympic committee and the Australian Shooting Association, Mark's views on the sport he has given the best part of his life to are widely sought.Unlucky not to compete for Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics when the barrel of his shotgun exploded while leading comfortably in qualifying, Mark has fought his way back into the national team through a combination of class and experience.A regular visitor to the Top End, Mark says Marrara shooting complex is the only place for his team to be three weeks out from the Games."The machinery is identical and the only place in Australia where it is fully operational and the great weather lends itself to intensive training,'' Mark said.Asked if the individual gold medals were career highlights, he pointed to the world team's event win at Barcelona in 1998 as the best moment he had in shooting."I got more enjoyment out of that than any other event because we had good individual shooters like Michael Diamond and myself and we put Adam Vella in the team with us,'' he said."To me that was Australia's coming of age in shooting. We had finally got someone else to come through who was world class. We had some women who were very good, Desiree Baynes was a bronze medallist in 1996 and Suzy Balogh at Athens in 2004."But we still need more depth and I don't think the gun legislation in NSW has helped the sport nationally without getting into a political debate."That killed us, so to speak, because the biggest state in Australia wasn't able to provide new shooters."We had to rely on Victorians, Queenslanders, Territorians and South Australians and forget about a state with more people in it than anywhere else.''

source: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/07/14/4669_ntsport.html

Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010: A Threat to the Common Wealth

The Indian capital city of New Delhi will be hosting the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010. This will be the first time India will host the Commonwealth Games and the second time that the Games will be hosted in Asia. Preparations have been on for quite some time now, to not just renovate and construct sporting facilities all over the city but to also beautify the city and gear it to ensure that visitors during the Games have a comfortable stay. Cashing upon the tourism potential is another motive of all the gearing up. The preparation of the Games has not been untouched by the green wave and Delhi’s Department of Environment, Forest and Wildlife has already asked all concerned authorities to, “ensure that Delhi’s latest showpieces are environmentally sound and reflect the city’s commitment to preserving nature”. However, the ground realities are far from that and the ecological impact of the Games may be much more than the economic gains.
The rapid and deadline driven renovation and laying down of wider transport system, especially connecting the different venues with each other is coming at a huge green cost. A large number of ‘heritage’ trees have either been axed or transplanted. Transplantation has rarely worked and though the Government maintains the green cover of the city has gone up, the green heritage has been lost and the green space missing, from where it is needed the most. This is not just because of the Commonwealth Games, but also to accommodate the ever increasing number of private vehicles, particularly cars, on the Delhi roads. The Delhi metropolitan has more cars than the total number of cars in the other three metros of India, viz., Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai (formerly Bombay, Calcutta and Madras). Concerned citizens and civil society groups have taken to the roads, time and again, to protest against the felling of trees and have also called for a policy to reduce the purchase of such large number of cars in Delhi.
The largest environmental impact of the preparations, which may cause a permanent and irreversible damage to the Delhi ecosystem is the construction of the Games Village complex on the floodplains of river Yamuna, that passes through the city. The river has its own story to tell. The 22 km stretch of the river in the city has already been turned into a drain. A large volume of the water from the river is withdrawn and diverted to be supplied to the city the moment it enters Delhi. What flows in it is essentially the untreated waste water that enters into it during its journey from one to the other end of the city. The river also has power plants, industrial units and what not been put up on its banks. As if all of that wasn’t enough, one of India’s largest and finest temples - Akshardham Temple has also been constructed on the floodplains of the river, right in the heart of the city.

Now, the authorities have decided to construct the Commonwealth Games Village bang opposite to the Temple complex and literally on the riverbed. Constructions are on full swing even as protesters from all across the country have called in for a Yamuna Satyagrah(the fight for truth) - a method of protest first popularised by Mahatma Gandhi. The river has usually shown a calm period of 4-5 years after which, it comes down with a flood of water. With the threats of climate change looming large, one cannot really predict with absolute certainty, but the next time the river comes down with its flood of water, there will be no floodplain available to control it, and the city would then said to be ‘flooded”.
The Environment Department has further asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the various civic agencies to adhere to the concept of “green building technology, sustainable site planning, design and construction of buildings” in order to “ achieve maximum harmony with nature. According to the State Environment, Forest and Wildlife Secretary J. K. Dadoo, “The State Government has declared the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi as Green Games. It is important that buildings that are constructed under the scheme combine features of being water and energy-efficient and are made of eco-friendly material.” What seems to have been overlooked is that such buildings should also hold their ground and not be constructed at places where they are themselves in danger and also pose a threat to the very human ecosystem they are supposed to provide services to.

Source: Written by Govind Singh; http://ecoworldly.com/2008/07/06/commonwealth-games-delhi-2010-a-threat-to-the-common-wealth/

Commonwealth Games Fed president rapshotel work delay

Pune July 06 Commonwealth games Federation (CGF) President Michael Fennell, who was in the city to review the preparations for the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) 2008 on Sunday, expressed “serious concern” about the delay in construction of a hotel for the international event. The hotel, which would be used for lodging international sports persons, VIPs and guests, is stated to be 70 per cent complete.
“I am very impressed with the progress of the main competition venues. The enthusiasm in Pune about the CYG is also encouraging. But the hotel, which is still not complete, is a serious concern for us. I have been assured that the hotel would be ready within 64 days,” Fenell said at a Press conference at Hotel Le-Meredien today.

Suresh Kalmadi, MP, from Pune and CYG 2008 chairman, said that the delay had been caused by the exodus of north Indian workers after the hate campaign launched by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. He said that the court had also stopped construction work of the hotel for a couple of months. “But all the issues have now been sorted out and we have got additional labour force to complete the work in time,” he added.

Kalmadi announced the appointment of V K Verma as director-general for the Commonwealth Games Delhi, 2010 and Commonwealth Youth Games Pune, 2008. He announced the appointment of Prasar Bharti as the Official Broadcaster. Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper and CYG 2008 ADG Lt Gen Ashok Kapur too were present at the Press meet.

Source:http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Commonwealth-Games-Fed-president-rapshotel-work-delay/332158/

Basketball 2010 Commonwealth championship in India

NEW DELHI: The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has assigned India to host the inaugural Commonwealth basketball championship in 2010.

At a function organised here on Saturday night, FIBA President Bob Elphinston announced that India had agreed to host the event for men in late July, months before the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

“Basketball was a part of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. But it is not there in the 2010 Games. So this is the next best possible thing from which young boys and girls in India can know about the game. It is going to be a wonderful opportunity for Indian basketball to grow further,” Elphinston told reporters.

Eight top teams will participate in the event and Australia, New Zealand, England, Nigeria and host India have confirmed participation.

Elphinston said the Indian Government and the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) will decide on the venue and dates of the event.

After conducting the men’s event, the FIBA will organise the Commonwealth championship for women in 2012 in some other country.

BFI Secretary General Harish Sharma said they would leave no stone unturned to make the event a success.

“This is a proud moment for us. I thank FIBA for this. They thought we were capable of hosting it. As the Indian government has put basketball in special category, we will have no problem in providing the best facilities,” he said. — Sports Reporter

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/07/stories/2008070755841700.htm

Govt okays Rs 678 cr for Commonwealth Games

Govt okays Rs 678 cr for Commonwealth Games
BS Reporter / New Delhi June 12, 2008, 14:11 IST

The Union Cabinet today earmarked Rs 678 cr for preparing the Indian sportspersons for the Commonwealth Games, 2010. The decision was taken in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. The funds would be spent under a new scheme‘Preparation of Indian Team for Commonwealth Games, 2010.'

The comprehensive scheme aims at `` improving India's competitiveness in international sports and enhancing the medals tally in major international events particularly the Commonwealth Youth Games, 2008 and Commonwealth Games, 2010.''

Besides the scheme also seeks to train 1286 elite sportspersons in India and abroad for the commonwealth games. Of the allocated funds, Rs.375.00 crore have been earmarked for training and exposing the medal probables to best standards, Rs 85 crore for upgradation of cocahing and sports centres of the Sports Authority of India and Rs 218 crore for providing sport science back-up/medical facilities to the sportspersons.