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XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi By Mahadev Desai  Come October 2010 and all roads will be leading to New Delhi, India. It is undoubtedly a matter of great pride for India to get an opportunity to showcase not only its status as world’s fast- rising economy but also its timeless and priceless cultural heritage at the upcoming prestigious Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, in New Delhi, on October 3 to 14,2010.It is the first time that the Commonwealth Games is being held in India. This will be the largest international (17 disciplines) multi-sports extravaganza, since Delhi hosted the 9th Asian Games in 1982 under the Prime Minister-ship of Indira Gandhi. 33 countries participated at the Games which debuted golf, handball,  equestrian, rowing,and filed hockey. This time, 71 countries and
about 6,000 participants are expected to compete at the Games
promoted as the best and biggest so far. In addition to
modernizing and revamping the six stadias created for the 1982
Asian Games, new sports complexes, Swimming pool, stadias and
‘The Games Village’ are also being added. New Delhi will be
beautified. New roads, flyovers, over bridges, hotels,
modernized Indira Gandhi International airport with a new 3rd
Terminal, will all change the landscape and skyline of India’s
capital New Delhi and will help provide top notch service and
hospitality to the unprecedented number of visitors from
overseas as well as from within the country. The Mascot ‘Shera’(The Hindi word for Sher meaning Tiger) is a commendable choice as it is an embodiment of speed, grace, power and courage. The logo is inspired by the Chakra spiraling upward and reaching out to the world and beckoning it with the tagline “Come out and play”. An event of this magnitude will call for meticulous planning and hundreds of energetic, courteous, disciplined, passionate and enthusiastic English-speaking volunteers and it is heartening to note that there will be no shortage of such volunteers, who will add a shining luster to the country’s image. Towards the end of October, The Queen's Baton was handed over to India's President Pratibha Patil by Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace. The baton was then passed on to India’s sports minister M.S.Gill and then on to Chairman of the Organising Committee ‘Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, Suresh Kalmadi. The baton will be carried through all the participating Commonwealth nations before reaching its final destination in Delhi. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi.  .It is gratifying to note that there is a welcome awakening for sports in the Government as well as private sector, and non-resident Indians, especially after the praiseworthy performance of Abhinav Bindra who won a Gold in air rifle shooting;Vijender a bronze in Boxing and Sushil Kumar a bronze in wrestling at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing China, Add to that India’s tally of 22 Gold 19 silver and 11 bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia in 2006. Let’s hope India will do even better in New Delhi next year. And who knows? After three Asian countries ,Tokyo(Japan);Seoul(Korea) and Beijing(China), who had the honor to host Summer Olympics, India will also get the nod to stage it in the not distant future! All of this is possible if there is transparency in spotting talent, selecting ,training and motivating the right person without political or bureaucratic interference or pressures. For India, there will be many spin-offs from the Commonwealth Games. First and foremost is the image of the Country. In the words of the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, Suresh Kalmadi, “Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi has already asserted India’s global presence and brought to the forefront the country’s emergence as a sporting, political and economic giant.” The infrastructure of New Delhi and peripheral areas will get a boost and so will the tourist industry.hotels, restaurants, cultural sites will also do a roaring business. Many countries will be looking to investing in India. India will not only have an opportunity to showcase its vibrant culture but also to learn of other cultures. Perhaps the most rewarding spin-off will be that after the games are over, India’s young sports-loving generation will have the state-of-art sports facilities to be superstars and role models. And for the participant it will be an exceptional, unforgettable experience to cherish for ever. Get ready to hear Shera’s loud and triumphant roar and to fly to New Delhi ! |