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.