Will India Win Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games?

With the start of the Commonwealth Games 2010 less than a year away, questions continue to be asked if India is truly up to the challenge. Over the last several months, there have been mounting concerns from reporters and Commonwealth Games officials that New Delhi is unprepared and seriously behind planning schedule, which has raised doubt on India’s ability to execute the Games in a sound fashion.

For example, Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee, stated at a New Delhi press conference that the “2010 Commonwealth Games (are) on track, Sports Minister MS Gill, Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Diskshit are working as a team to deliver a great Games.”

Likewise, in an article posted by dawn.com, it was cited that “2010 Commonwealth Games is facing challenges as game organizers are woefully unprepared. With 11 months till the opening ceremonies, it’s indeed a race against time.

Michael Fennell, the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, told the Delhi 2010 executive committee in a letter that preparations were so alarmingly behind schedule that the event was at “serious risk” and cautioned that the image of the games was at stake.

Most recently, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) rebuffed the Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) decision to appoint a high-powered technical panel to monitor the progress of the Games every month, saying there are already too many agencies overseeing the preparations with nearly 40 foreign hired experts to support the games preparations. In another move that could incense the CGF, the Organizing Committee (OC) of the 2010 Games recommended the “repatriation” of CGF chief executive officer Mike Hooper, who has been based in Delhi for two years now.

The decisions were taken after CGF president Michael Fennell, in a strongly-worded statement, listed areas of concern and announced the setting up of the review panel that was to start functioning from January. The CGF had identified concerns on 20 functional areas, but now it has come down to five (ticketing, ceremonies, medical, transport, and technology).

While Delhi is trying to make full efforts to prepare for the much anticipated Commonwealth Games, the government needs to ensure construction sites get on schedule quickly. The 2010 Commonwealth Games is India’s chance to shine as the superpower and global giant it affirms to be. All eyes will be on New Delhi one year from now to see if the country can rise to the occasion and win gold.

1620 crore budgetary boost for 2010 CWG

Hit by delays and escalating cost of infrastructure, the 2010 Commonwealth Games here received a massive budgetary boost on Thursday with the central government allocating Rs 1620 crore as loan to the Organising Committee of the event.

"The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for providing a revised budget of Rs 1620 crore, as loan to the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010, at the prevailing government rate of interest, for organising the CWG at Delhi during October 3 to 14. Budget approved earlier was Rs 767 crore," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

Elaborating on the reasons for the budgetary hike, she said rising cost of opening and closing ceremonies, the increase in the number of days for Queen's Baton Relay – from 136 to 240 days for international leg and from 60 to 100 days for domestic leg -- were among the reasons that forced the increased allocation.

"Inclusion of new items that are essential for the successful delivery of the Games but were not provided in the initial budget of the OC, namely accreditation, city operations, sponsorship and TV rights, security, sustainability and environment and ticketing," she said. Cost escalation in respect of accommodation, catering, protocol and CGF relations, Queen's Baton Relay, rent for office of OC, communication, image and look technology, risk management, insurance and technical conduct of sports were also listed as reasons for budgetary hike.

Besides, the Minister said, "the number of volunteers has gone up to nearly 30,000 and the cost of accreditation, catering, uniform etc on this account has also increased.”

Global Television Wins Bid For 2010 Commonwealth Games International Broadcast Centre

Global Television has won a world wide tender to design, install and operate the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

This will be the first time in Commonwealth Games history that the event has been broadcast in High Definition digital, also marking a critical milestone for Indian television.

Australia’s leading and most experienced services provider to the television industry, Global was selected from a tough international field after an intensive three-month evaluation period.

Global delivered the IBC technical build for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and has brought the same team together for Delhi 2010. Global will also work with an on-the-ground Indian partner, Shaf Broadcast.

The IBC is the hub for all Commonwealth Games broadcasting activity, handling incoming television pictures and sound from the host broadcaster, distributing that footage to international rights holders and managing rights holders’ outgoing transmissions.

Global’s track record in providing complex technical broadcast requirements for major international events is well established. In addition to the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Global Television has delivered IBC requirements for the 2007 FINA World Championships (swimming), World Youth Day in 2008 and the 2000 Sydney Paralympics.

Global Television CEO Kerri Thompson said: "The 2010 Commonwealth Games IBC tender is among the most prized on the international broadcasting event calendar.

"As the nucleus of broadcast activity for the competition, the IBC transmits literally thousands of hours of sporting drama, achievement and news to viewers around the world.

"Away from the competition venues, perceptions of the Games’ success will hinge on the quality and timeliness of material beamed home.

"In securing this contract, Global Television is especially proud to showcase the Australian broadcast industry’s capabilities and demonstrate the High Definition digital expertise for which Australia is renowned."

The Delhi Commonwealth Games IBC will house studio and reporting facilities for broadcasters and journalists from around the world. Occupying 8,000 square meters, up to 1,500 broadcast professionals will be based at the IBC.

Global Television begins work on the contract immediately, with a technical team en route to Delhi for briefings this week and to attend the first World Broadcasters Meeting for rights holders.

The XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 will be held from 3rd–14th October next year. Competition will feature 17 sports, with around 8,500 athletes and officials from 71 Commonwealth Games Federation member countries expected to attend.