Friday, February 26, 2010

Commonwealth Games gets Rs 2,300 crore in budget

New Delhi, Feb 26 (PTI) The Commonwealth Games to be held in the national capital this year has got Rs 2,296.43 crore in the budget under several heads, with the Sports Ministry receiving the bulk of the money.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has earmarked Rs 2,069.52 crore for the Commonwealth Games while Union Urban Development Ministry gets Rs 176.90 crore and Delhi government Rs 50 crore.

Another Rs one lakh has been allocated for Delhi Police for paying bandwidth charges for an integrated security solutions for the sporting event.

Of the Rs 2,069.52 crore allocated to the Sports Ministry, Rs 1175.54 crore will go to the Organising Committee, SAI and other sports organisations while Rs 377.92 crore has been earmarked for stadia renovation.

For preparing the teams, Rs 378 crore has been allocated.

Monday, February 22, 2010

India Will Step Up Security at Commonwealth Games

NEW DELHI — India’s plans for the 2010 Commonwealth Games include roof-top snipers, food tasters for the athletes and their families, and the closing of schools and courts to cut traffic, officials said Monday.

“We’re quite determined to provide a safe and secure games,” Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said at a press conference in New Delhi.

A bomb blast that killed 15 people in Pune this month has heightened concerns about security in India, which is scheduled to host several international sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games in October, in the coming months.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Pakistan finalise 75-member contingent for Commonwealth Games

Pakistan finalise 75-member contingent for Commonwealth Games

LAHORE: Pakistan on Thursday finalised a 75-member contingent to represent the country in the Commonwealth Games to be held from October 3-14 in New Delhi.

Pakistan Olympic Association President Lt Gen Syed Arif Hasan said at a press conference after a general council meeting here that the country could win medals from tennis, weightlifting, wrestling and hockey.

"Pakistan will take part in athletics, swimming, boxing, hockey, squash, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. We have fair chance to win medals in tennis, weightlifting, wrestling and hockey," he said.

He said tennis star Aisam-ul Haq has confirmed his participation in the Games and his presence will be a big inspiration for Pakistan as he is a medal prospect.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Delhi schools to remain closed during CWG period in October 2010

NEW DELHI: All the schools in the national capital will remain closed during the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from October 3 to 14, chief minister Sheila Dikshit said on Monday.

Announcing the decision after a Cabinet meeting, she said the holiday period during Dusshera has been rescheduled so that students could enjoy the mega sporting event.

"We have made adjustments in the holiday period around Dusshera (October 17) to keep the schools closed during the Commonwealth Games," Dikshit told reporters.

"To make up for the extended holiday period around Dusshera, we have decided to cut down on the summer vacation," she said.

Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said the decision would also help in easing the heavy traffic during the Games period.

"Now the Autumn break will be for 17 days instead of the current nine days while we have decided to cut down on summer vacation by 12 days," Lovely said.

He said the winter vacation will be from December 25 to January 9, 2011.

Lovely said the number of total academic days in the current year will be 217 instead of last year's 215 days.

TOI

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

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.