Usain Bolt won't run at CWG, confirms manager

JAIPUR: Usain Bolt will not be running at the Commonwealth Games, his manager Ricky Simms confirmed to TOI on Wednesday.

"I can 100 per cent confirm that Usain will not be running at the Commonwealth Games," Simms informed after the sprint champion’s name figured in the preliminary list of athletes submitted to the Commonwealth Games organisers by the Jamaican Olympic Association.

"Maybe this list was sent in some time ago," Simms added. "The Commonwealth Games is not on Usain’s schedule for this year."

Simms in fact, echoed what Bolt’s coach Glen Mills had said last week. Bolt had himself expressed doubts over his Commonwealth Games participation in a interview to TOI last year.

If finding Bolt’s name on the Jamaican list had raised the Games’ organisers’ hopes, Simms had a stern message for them.

"I do not understand why the CWG official cannot just accept his decision and stop putting out more stories in the press. They should focus on the athletes who are coming to India," Simms said through email.

Bolt might not be willing to come to India as a guest either, if invited. "I don’t think Usain would want to come to India as a guest. He is scheduled to resume training after a 4-6 week break at that time," Simms said.

Games give Delhi velodrome

Lagging behind schedule, the cycling velodrome at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium was giving jitters to the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee (OC) till a few months back. On Tuesday though, as it was thrown open in all its splendour, the complex left visiting sports dignitaries spellbound.

The velodrome, which was inaugurated by union sports minister MS Gill and Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit, has been adjudged as a category 1 cycling velodrome by the International Cycling Federation (UCI).

The velodrome has a seating capacity of 3,800. It is one of the biggest velodromes in the country. Speaking on the occasion, Dikshit certainly seemed impressed. "I have begun to feel that these will be the best Commonwealth Games," said Dikshit, adding that credit should go to the Sports Authority of India and CPWD for construction. "The job has been done elegantly and the stadium has state-of-the-art facilities."

Built in 17 months, the velodrome was billed as being second to only the one used during the Beijing Olympics by the honorary vice-president of UCI, Ray Godkin. The complex will have its first test event later next month.

Incidentally, there had been concerns over delays and slow pace of construction, especially when the authorities were asked to change specifications mid-way through construction. The organisers were asked to change the original concrete cycle track to a wooden one. Said Suresh Kalmadi, chairperson of the OC, "The world cycling body wanted a wooden floor, instead of concrete, and an air-conditioned velodrome. It was a challenge."

"It's a special occasion. There were some issues but the end result is something to be proud of," said Gill. Talking about the need of a legacy the Games would leave, he added, "But what after the wedding? The 'pandal' has to be taken care of after a wedding. These venues are world class and need to be well cared for."

Added Kalmadi, "I was asked in an interview which is the best venue. I said all the venues that we have prepared are world class but there is a tie between Thyagraj stadium and this velodrome."

Interestingly, officials of cycling body in India didn't sound too optimistic about India's chances in this sports. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, president of the Cycling Federation of India, said, "Do not expect medals from us but with facilities in place we can hope something in the Asian Games... We are managing with just one foreign coach and do not have much equipment. The cycles are also very costly."

TOI

Air quality monitoring system for Commonwealth Games by July-end

New Delhi: By July-end the air quality monitoring system developed for the Commonwealth Games will start providing real time pollution data at 11 key locations in the city - and will continue to do so till long after the Oct 3-14 mega event is over.

Scientists from the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) are in the process of installing air quality monitoring stations at the 11 locations near the Games village and venues.

The air quality stations will provide information on level of pollution within a four-kilometre radius on an hourly basis and forecast about air quality 24 hours in advance through wireless colour digital display panels which will be installed in various parts of the capital.

The monitoring stations are part of the System of Air Pollution Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) developed by the IITM at a cost of Rs.100 million ($2 million).

'The system will tell us about the quality of air at any given moment and also what it will be 24 hours later, thus alerting people and helping them avoid immediate exposure to unhealthy air,' Gufran Beig, SAFAR scientist and project director, said.

The IITM has already started receiving data from air quality monitoring stations installed at the Palam meteorological office near the Indira Gandhi International Airport, the IITM office in West Delhi and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) in Noida on the national capital's outskirts.

At eight other places - Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, Thyagaraj Sports Complex, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Dr. S.P. Mukherjee Swimming Stadium, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Siri Fort Sports Complex and Yamuna Sports Complex - it will be operational by the end of July.

A team of IITM experts has been stationed in the capital since mid-June to complete the installation work after their receiving clearance from the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.

'The air monitoring system will be housed in a walkway shelter made of glass-reinforced material to make it water- and fire- proof,' said Beig.

The monitoring system comprises instruments like ozone and carbon monoxide analysers, particulate matter analysers and real time analysers for recording other pollutants.

'The institute has already begun the trail run of SAFAR. We are now validating the data of Oct 2008 and 2009 by putting in parameters like temperature, pressure and humidity and matching the forecast made by the system with the real weather during that time. As of now, the accuracy level is 90 to 95 percent,' Beig said.

According to scientists, weather forecast during the Games will be more accurate as they have prepared a vehicle emission inventory for the Games.

Explaining how the generated data will come handy for air quality forecasting, Beig said: 'If on a particular day it is found that the pollution level is high, we will recommend to the Delhi government to shut some industries or divert traffic near the venues.'

The monitoring system is important as some athletes have hinted at skipping the Games as they fear that Delhi's air is unsafe to breathe. But the Games Organising Committee says it is committed to ensuring clean air as the event has been dubbed the first-ever Green Games.

The organisers are confident that the existing traffic density can be reduced drastically by providing quality public transport by way of more Metro trains and green buses.

The Indian capital is among the most polluted cities in the world and the ever-growing number of cars, two-wheelers and three-wheelers occupy a staggering 75 percent of road space, although only 20 percent of the commuting public use them.

Delhi has over five million vehicles and another four million come to the metropolis from towns in adjoining states in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Games organisers are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping the scientific methods to improve the quality of air in the capital will succeed.

China had a tough time battling air pollution during the Olympic Games last year and there are doubts whether Delhi can be as effective as Beijing in enforcing traffic curbs, raising emission standards and stopping Games' construction work well in time to improve air quality.

But India is hard at work to ensure a pollution-free event.

Sify.com

The baton is for everyone; Common men become proud batonbearers in the land of five rivers, Punjab

PATHANKOT, 27 June 2010: The Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi has travelled across the land of five rivers – Punjab. Common man got the chance to see, touch and feel the prized baton. From an old farmer in the vast farmlands of the state to its, traditional dancers and martial artists, everyone became the proud Batonbearer. They felt part of the mega-event to be organised in the national capital.

After completing its international leg of journey covering 170,000 kilometres, the baton entered India through the Wagah Border amidst a spectacular ceremony on 25 June 2010.

Next day, the baton left Amritsar (Khasa) Army Cantt for Jallandhar. At Jallandhar baton was welcomed at Hans Raj Maha Vidalya Jallandhar followed by a visit to CRPF divisional Headquarters and a battalion of ITBP. All senior officers of these forces along with other staff were present to greet the baton. Punjab Armed Police (PAP) Rama Mandi and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Police Academy, Phillaur were the next destinations where-in baton was received by retired and serving police officers. Batonbearers were applauded by garlands and bouquets; their creativity was visible in the way the relay was organised with mounted horses with Bhangra and Gidda performers dancing in front of the Batonbearers. This was the place where Maharaja Ranjit Singh built his magazine to ensure victory over Lahore, and the troops marched towards west to conquer his next destination.

The baton halted at Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana, immediately after which there was tree plantation. Ms. Alka Lamba accompanied by baton crew planted medicinal plant’s saplings to boost the green revolution. In Ludhiana, the baton visited Bharat Nagar Chowk.

The baton’s next destination was Patiala where the baton was received by famous cricketer, commentator and MP Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu who later joined the relay at Patiala Polo Ground. The sport city had organised a fabulous relay where-in about 20 Arjuna Awardee participated. The relay ended at NIS (National Institute Sports) of Patiala. Here the baton was joined by the community of Patiala for a cultural show followed by dinner.

In Patiala, the prominent Batonbearers were, Mr. Bahadur Singh, Brig. Labh Singh, Mr. Garbax Singh Sanhu, Ms. Rupa Saini (Hockey), Mr. Jugraj Singh (Athletic), Mr. Satbir Singh, Capt. HDS Brar (Car Race), Sub. Sham Singh, Mr. Deepak Patiala, Wg. Cdr. Gurpreet Singh Cheema (Defance Flyer), Mr. Harveen Saroa (Shooting), Mr. Sukchain Sing Cheema (Wrestler), Ms. Sunita Devi (Athletic), Mr. Shudeep Singh (Athletics), Mr. Balkar Singh (Atheletics), Mr. Variender Singh (Boxing), Mr. Gurmukh Singh Sandhu (Wrestling), Mr. Ram Singh (Boxing), Mr. Palwinder Singh Cheema, Mr. Gaganjit Singh, Mr. Shamsher Singh Bhoparai (Volley Ball), Mr. Satnam Sing Maan (Cycling), Mr. Sandeep Kaur (Hockey) and Mr. Jagmohan Singh (Athletic).

On 27 June 2010, the baton visited Pathankot in north Punjab. The baton is heading towards Kashmir Valley via Jammu

http://www.cwgdelhi2010.org/

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.”

Commonwealth Games strengthen relation between nations says Maldives President

MALE, 15 June 2010: Maldives President H. E. Mohamed Nasheed participated in the Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi. Inaugurating the relay, in front of the Official Jetty, President Nasheed said as a result of the Commonwealth Games, the relations between nations represented in the Games become strengthened as they share a common history.

The President said New Delhi was emerging as one of the biggest cities in the world, and this year’s Commonwealth Games would be a moment when Maldivian athletes and the Maldives were in the focus of the world.

He said, although participation in such sporting events as the Commonwealth Games was deemed more important than winning, we should strive to do our best in everything we do.

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed and other senior officials of the government and many Maldivian athletes ran the around-Male’ relay this morning.

Earlier in the day, the baton was handed over by the President of the NOC Maldives to the President of the Maldives. His Excellency President of Maldives participated in the relay and completed whole relay running about 5km with the baton.
The Vice President of the Country, H.E. High Commissioner of India presently accredited to Maldives and the former president of the NOC Maldives joined HEP Mohamed Nasheed in the relay. The relay started from the famous Junhooree Park and went around the main roads of capital islands Male.

It was a great relay by athletes, Olympians, dignitaries and public. During the relay the baton was passed to the Vice President, Sports Ministers, Education Minister, Past Olympians, President of the Municipal Council, former NOC President, Secretary General, school heads, and officials from sports Associations. The relay finished about an hour later. At the end HEP Mohamed Nasheed handed over the baton to the President of NOC Maldives.

There was a small get together function at High Commissioners of India’s residence with the Indian community residing in Maldives. Everybody appreciated the baton and felt proud to be associated with the Queen’s Baton Relay and wished XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi ‘’Good Luck”.

Later, Chef de Mission of Maldives for Delhi 2010 started the relay at Football Family House with the football players practicing in the ground. The baton then reached Ekuveni Track Ground (For Cricket, Athletics, Tabletennis, Badminton, Tennis, Netball, Shooting, Volleyball and Basketball) players had a relay on track.

In the evening, the baton left from Ekuveni Track Ground and had a 10 minutes relay from Ekuveni Track Ground to Swimming area. There was tremendous performance by the swimmers. The baton travelled through water and carried by swimmers. The baton had a surfing experience.

Grab your Games tickets, now

Rs 50 is all you need to witness international-level sportspersons perform during the Commonwealth Games this October.

The Organising Committee (OC) of the XIX Commonwealth Games launched the sale of tickets for one of the biggest sporting events in the world from Friday. Lt. Governor of Delhi Tejendra Khanna, who was also presented the first ticket by the Games Organising Committee (OC), released the tickets. Rs 1,000 is the maximum cost of a ticket.

There are 17 lakh tickets on offer and they are already selling like hot cakes. Officials claimed that tickets worth Rs 20 lakh were sold on the very first day.

But your wait for the real thing will take some time. The tickets, which are being printed at the Government of India Security Press in Nashik, are yet not ready. Only confirmation vouchers will be given now. They will be exchanged for tickets in August.

Dr Lalit Bhanot, secretary general, Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, said, “We anticipate sales of 17 lakh tickets and expect to generate about Rs 60-70 crore from it.”

Indian Rail Catering and Tour Company (IRCTC) has been appointed as the official ticketing agency for CWG 2010 in consortium with Broad Vision Systems and TicketPro.

An added advantage is that each ticket holder would be entitled for free travel in the Delhi Metro and DTC buses to reach and return from the venue on the day of the event.

HT

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.

Hindustan Times newspaper dated 29 May 2010

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.

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.