CWG England chief sees no reason to pull out

STAFF WRITER 14:11 HRS IST

London, Mar 23 (PTI) Commonwealth Games England president Dame Kelly Holmes has criticised the British athletes who want to skip the October 3-14 mega-event fearing safety concerns, and said with positive security reports trickling in from Delhi she sees no reason for any pull out.

Holmes, the 2004 double Olympic gold medallist, cited the reports of an assessment team that visited the Indian capital to take stalk of the security situation and said the findings did not suggest pull out.

"I'm disappointed to say that hasn't abated and for some reason a few athletes have said they don't want to compete because of security concerns," Holmes was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph.

"We have a security team out in Delhi that are giving us regular reports and we haven't had one single report to suggest that we should be pulling out at this stage," she said.

CWG will be a big success, says Kamalesh Sharma

STAFF WRITER 13:3 HRS IST

London, Mar 23 (PTI) Secretary General of Commonwealth Kamalesh Sharma has exuded confidence that infrastructure for the 2010 Commonwealth Games will be ready in time and hoped that the October 3-14 event in the national capital will be a "big success".

"I have confidence that the infrastructure for the Games will be ready in time and the Games will be a big success. It is for the Organising Committee to attend matters connected with the preparations of the Games," Sharma said.

Sharma was speaking to the reporters on the eve of his tour of India, during which he will meet the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and also hold discussions with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal.

Sharma will also attend a seminar on the future of Commonwealth Games and participate in a Commonwealth Writers' Conference in India.

No power shortage during Commonwealth Games: Dikshit

No power shortage during Commonwealth Games: Dikshit

New Delhi, March 13: Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit Saturday assured that there will be no power shortages during the summer or the Commonwealth Games to be held in October. “The city will become power surplus and there will be no shortage of power during Commonwealth Games and thereafter," Dikshit said at the two-day national seminar on power sector reforms. Dikshit also told the discoms to purchase the power at whatever rates were available to avoid any shortages.

"It is a satisfactory fact that the per capita consumption in Delhi has increased from 1,259 units in 2000-01 to 1,615 units in 2007-08. The increased demand has been met successfully by arranging adequate power from various states," Dikshit said adding, this is the result of privatization of the power sector. "This is an era of power trading. Delhi will get more than 1,400 MW power from Bawana project this year, around 750 MW from Jhajjar and 900 MW from NTPC Dadri. This will definitely suffice our demand. Apart from this, work on 750 megawatt Bamnauli project will also be taken up soon," Dikshit added.

Appreciating the private discoms for providing good service to consumers, Dikshit said: "Discoms in Delhi are now competing with each other to provide the best possible services to their customers." Dikshit also expressed satisfaction at the fact that transmission losses have come down from 50 percent to 18 percent and urged people to save electricity. (IANS)

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Commonwealth Games: HC notices to govt for 'violation' of labour laws

New Delhi: The Delhi high court today sought a response from the Centre for its alleged failure to provide all thebenefits of labour laws to workers involved in construction work for the coming Commonwealth Games.

A bench headed by chief justice AP Shah issued a notice to the Centre and asked it to file the response by February 3 when the matter would be taken up for further hearing.

The Court passed the order on a PIL filed by civil rights group Peoples Union for Democratic Rights which submitted that the Centre has failed to force private companies to abide by the labour laws.

"The government and its agencies as well as their numerous contractors have got used to the idea that they are not accountable for the working and living conditions and can pass up their responsibility, ignoring the legal requirements.

This has resulted in inhuman conditions for construction workers in Delhi," the advocate, appearing for the group, said.

The rights group pleaded the court should intervene to correct the impression and to bring relief to poor and vulnerable 4,15,000 contract daily wage workers who are working on these projects.

BJP to stage protest if beef served during Commonwealth Games

New Delhi: The ruling BJP in MCD today threatened that party councillors and workers will stage protests and picket before the Commonwealth Games committee office if beef is served during the event here in October. BJP workers will also gherao the hotels or other places where beef is being served and lodge FIRs against the officials and hotel management, leader of MCD House Subhash Arya and Chairman of MCD Standing Committee Ram Kishan Singhal told reporters here.

"We want to warn both Delhi and Central governments that if serving of beef during Games create law and order problem in the city, they themselves will be responsible for it," the BJP leaders cautioned.

Delhi races to stay in Commonwealth Games

The lack of building security is a running gag among staff but it's no joke at a time when India's ability to stage a secure event is under question.

Indian and Commonwealth Games Federation organisers have reacted angrily in recent weeks to suggestions athletes face a risk of terrorist attacks during the October 3 to 14 Games.

CGF president Michael Fennell accuses those who question India's capacity to provide adequate security, and to have the venues finished on time, of Western snobbery.

"If a problem occurs in India then it is viewed differently to the same problem in another country," he says.

"The fact is there is always a security risk. Everybody has to make their own decisions, but if you don't go [to Delhi] I suggest you don't travel anywhere in the world."

CWG Organising Committee wants Mattoo to continue

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) The 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) today said it will take a call on treasurer A K Mattoo's resignation tomorrow but would like to see the veteran sports administrator continue in his post.

OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot told PTI that the committee was yet to receive copy of Mattoo's resignation and would take a decision only after a discussion with chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

"We have not received his resignation till now. We can take a decision only when it is in our hand. Today being Sunday, we will look into the matter tomorrow once Mr Kalmadi arrives here from Pune," Bhanot, also the OC spokesperson, said.

"But we will obviously request him to continue. We don't have any differences with him. But at the end of the day it would be his personal decision," he said.

CWG officials rule out England’s pullout

CWG officials rule out England’s pullout

New Delhi/London, Dec 30: Indian and English Commonwealth Games’ officials on Wednesday denied British media reports which said England could pull out of the 2010 Games in New Delhi over fears that their athletes would be targeted by Pakistani terrorists. Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of 2010 Organising Committee (OC), denied all such reports. “There is no truth in it. The British Commonwealth Games have also denied this report,” he said in New Delhi.

Games: Security equipment to cost Rs 300 cr

Security for the Commonwealth Games will be one of the costliest, with equipment cost alone going over Rs 300 crore. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which will host the opening and closing ceremonies, will have security gadgets worth Rs 51 crore.

At Rs 41 crore, the Indira Gandhi Stadium follows close behind, while the practice venues at the Delhi University have a much lesser security budget of Rs 1.5 crore.

The Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), set up by the Government of India in 1967, will provide CCTV cameras and other security gadgets for the venues.

H C Kalra, general manager of ECIL, told Newsline that the ECIL develops technologies for defence and security purposes, and that they provide equipment to the Defence Ministry and the Delhi Secretariat.

Commonwealth Games gold is next target: Chetan

Amit Kumar Das

New Delhi, Dec 25 (PTI) Ace Indian shuttler Chetan Anand dreams of winning a gold medal in next year's Commonwealth Games and says he would prepare for the mega event in a such way that he gets regular match practice and also improve on fitness front.

The winner of the recently held Syed Modi Grand Prix is hoping that home conditions would help him realise his dream.

"I am aiming to win a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games next year. Playing at home will be a huge advantage and I think I should exploit the conditions to put pressure on my rivals and play to my strength," Chetan told PTI.

Talking about his preparation for the next season, Chetan said focus would be on better planning with major emphasis on fitness.

‘Progress, but Games still face substantial risk’

Noting that the Organising Committee (OC) is “turning the corner” and a “substantial progress” has been made in the Commonwealth Games preparations since October, the CGF’s Coordination Commission, however, warns in its report that the 2010 event still risks an operational failure as many key functional areas are lagging behind.

The eight-member CoCom, headed by Commonwealth Games Federation treasurer Austin Sealy, visited the Capital last week for its sixth periodical review of the Games’ progress.

“The OC and its delivery partners have demonstrated substantial progress since the last CoCom, in particular the last two months,” the report said.

Additional machinery, staff to speed up CWG preparation: Govt

STAFF WRITER 15:25 HRS IST
New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) The apprehensions regarding the progress of work notwithstanding, the Indian government today insisted that the venues for next year's Commonwealth Games would be completed on time by deploying additional machinery and increasing the number of supervisory staff.

Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Prakashbapu Patil said the the progress of work was being monitored closely.

"The work on all the competition venues is progressing at a rapid pace, recovery plans have been worked out, wherever required, which inter-alia, includes increase in the number of supervisory staff and labour, increase in working hours, deployment of additional machinery, close monitoring and procurement of critical and special items, to compete the work within the revised targets," Patil said.

MAMC to take care of 2010 Games athletes' dental health

New Delhi: Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) was on Tuesday entrusted the task to attend to dental emergency and to provide complete dental health care to over 7,000 athletes and delegates during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), which is a part of the MAMC, will also set up its base in Talkatora Stadium and National Stadium during the mega sports event in October next year.

"Apart from the designated hospitals and Games Village, emergency health service facilities will also be set up at the Games stadiums like National Stadium, where hockey will be played, and Talkatora Indoor Stadium where boxing will take place. Both are dangerous sports and need medical attention. The emergency services will be backed by well equipped ambulances, medical surgeons and support staff," Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.

"The other areas of health emergency services will be covered by G.B.Pant Hospital. Apart from these nodal health care centres, a state of the art well-equipped, round-the-clock polyclinic will be set up at the Commonwealth Games village."

"These facilities will be operational a day before the Village opens until one day after the Village is officially closed," Dikshit said after inaugurating a dental health fair at MAMC campus.

MAIDS principal Mahesh Verma said, "The hospital is ready for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. There shall be two operating dental chairs and two dental surgeons posted round the clock in three shift duties. Besides, one Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon shall be on call to take care of trauma of the head at the Games Village." IANS

Nehru stadium to miss March deadline

NEW DELHI: As the first day of the review meeting of the coordination commission (CoCom) with the organising committee kicked off on Monday, sources admitted that the OC has a tough job ahead.

From venue operationalization to procurement details, the CoCom would be looking at a much-improved preparation schedule to the Commonwealth Games 2010 — a task that, sources say, could get a jolt with the delay in operations of some of the key venues, specially Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Said a senior official, ‘‘Though most of the venues are expected to be ready on schedule around March, the JN Stadium could get delayed beyond that.’’ This was also discussed at the annual general meeting held earlier this month, where it was revealed that JN Stadium may be handed over to the OC as late as May-June.

Incidentally, the stadium is the venue for not only the opening and closing ceremonies but is also the competitive venue for athletics and weightlifting.

Venue operationalization had been one of the major concerns of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) at the general assembly meeting held in October this year. At that time, CGF chief Mike Fennell had raised questions about the OC’s preparedness on this front, apart from other areas of concern like the lack of international experts for various functional areas as well as procurement for the Games. OC officials, however, claimed the concerns raised at that time had all been addressed in the intervening two months.

While Kalmadi said ‘‘considerable progress’’ had been made in all areas since the last CoCom visit in May, he cited advances made in the functioning of the OC with a more relevant workforce as well as the appointment of experts in various key functional areas as right steps. ‘‘Finances are under control, with revenue from sales of TV rights having already exceeded expectations,’’ Kalmadi added.

That the OC is expecting positive feedback from the review meeting is apparent as secretary, ministry of sports, Sindhushree Khullar, candidly admitted that constructive advise was expected from the CoCom. ‘‘A lot of time has been spent in explaining things instead of getting on with the task of ensuring the Games are conducted well. The level of monitoring the progress of the Games has gone up. Your (CoCom) advice will help us get on with it,’’ said Khullar.

CoCom members were tightlipped about the meeting, with Mike Hooper, CGF representative in India refusing to comment on how the presentations went. The CoCom is expected to present its report to Fennell later this week

Soruce:TOI

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to miss CWG deadline

NEW DELHI: As the first day of the review meeting of the coordination commission (CoCom) with the organising committee kicked off on Monday, sources admitted that the OC has a tough job ahead.

From venue operationalization to procurement details, the CoCom would be looking at a much-improved preparation schedule to the Commonwealth Games 2010 - a task that, sources say, could get a jolt with the delay in operations of some of the key venues, specially Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.