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

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