Rs84 crore to be spent in Commonwealth Games opening, closing ceremonies

India will spend Rs84 crore in conducting the grand opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, sports ministry said today.

Replying to a question at the Lok Sabha, minister of state for sports, Pratik Prakashbapu Patil said the theme and concept of the opening ceremony has been finalised while the same process is on for the closing ceremony.

"Rs84 crore approximately has been earmarked for the two ceremonies in the budget of the Organising Committee CWG Delhi 2010," Patil told the Lok Sabha.

"The concept and theme for the opening ceremony has been finalised. The theme and concept for the closing ceremony is in an advanced stage of finalisation. The operational details are being developed by the Organising Committee," he added.

He said the programmes for these two ceremonies will be ready ahead of the timeframe set by the Commonwealth Games Federation.

"The CGF have advised that the programme for the opening and closing ceremonies needs to be finalised early. The programmes will be ready in time," Patil said.

The minister also informed the House that the government was also giving attention to the training of Indian athletes for the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games next year.

"The government has undertaken a special drive for the preparation of athletes for the 2010 CWG and 2010 Asian Games. These efforts will be furthered suitably for training of sportspersons who qualify for London Olympics.