Commonwealth Games float may miss scoring on Rajpath this Republic Day

The government might be pitching next October’s Commonwealth Games as the most prestigious event in 2010 but it seems the nation will miss out on seeing a Games-themed tableaux roll down the Rajpath on the Republic Day next month.

The reason: lack of coordination between the Sports ministry and the Delhi government, involved in organising the sports event in the Capital between October 3 and 14 next year.

And the result: both the Delhi government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs, through the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, ended up deciding on the mega-sports event as their tableaux themes for the 2010 Republic Day.

The Ministry of External Affairs had called for entries this July.

While Delhi’s entry on the Games tableaux was struck down by Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister P K Tripathi in favour of the entry designed by the Sports ministry, sources said the Ministry of External Affairs might strike down this entry, too, on grounds of “unimpressive” design.

Tripathi is also Principal Secretary in the office of R Narayanaswamy, advisor to the government for the Games and a member of the Games Organising Committee.

According to a source in the Delhi government, while other options included themes like ‘Green Delhi’, Delhi as a city representative of India, and ‘Development of Delhi’, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit reportedly recommended doing a tableaux called ‘Tryst with Destiny’, ideas of Jawaharlal Nehru being the main theme.

“But the Directorate of Information and Publicity thought the Games should be showcased in the Delhi tableaux, as it is expected to show a new face of Delhi in 2010,” the source said. “This was decided as the theme to be sent to the Ministry of External Affairs in July.”

The official added: “But it was then decided in August that since two departments cannot send the same theme, Delhi’s plan was to be dropped.”

This is the third time that Delhi’s theme for a tableaux has been rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs. The last tableaux showcased by Delhi was in 2006 — named ‘Stree Shakti’, it displayed the government’s initiatives towards empowering women.

An official in the Games Organising Committee said the Sports ministry’s proposal has not been rejected “entirely”. “There were some discussions over the design,” the official said, “but the screening committee of the ministry has asked us to revise the designs and submit the proposal again.”

Haryana approves bed-n-breakfast for Gurgaon during 2010 Games

To accommodate the rush of tourists during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi October next year, the Haryana government here Wednesday announced a bed and breakfast scheme for Gurgaon.

Under the scheme, house owners in Gurgaon city, adjoining national capital New Delhi, will be able to rent out their premises to tourists coming for the Commonwealth Games (CWG).

A state government spokesman said here that since building new hotels would take a longer time, the central government has also approved 25 houses which can be converted into guest houses during the CWG.

He added: 'The government approved the bed and breakfast for the NCR also to fill in the gap between the required number of rooms for the Commonwealth Games and those that could be provided by hotels.'

He said that the registration and other processes have been simplified under the bed and breakfast scheme.

He added that before giving permission to a property for this scheme, the security issue would be specifically checked.

The move has been forced on the government as the hotel industry is facing a financial crunch and real estate market is in a virtual slump. The bed and breakfast scheme was the only alternative. At least 100 such bed and breakfast homes are likely to be approved.

Haryana has been able to offer about 7,000 rooms for the CWG in the national capital region (NCR).

Residents could apply under this scheme and give up a maximum of five rooms for rent with complimentary services like power backup, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and 24X7 security.

Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) initiates poster-free day every month

In a bid to clean up the city before the Commonwealth Games, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Wednesday announced a poster-free day every month when teams will go around the capital clearing posters off walls and lamp posts.

Talking about the initiative, Delhi mayor Kanwar Sain said: 'From today, there will be a poster free day every month when MCD employees will go all out removing posters in various parts of the city.

'Besides, people will be sensitised not to stick bills and pamphlets in public places so that the city is not given an ugly look,' Sain told IANS.

According to Sain, offenders may be fined Rs.50,000 or jailed for a year.

'To keep the city clean of posters and hoardings is not an advisory. It is a compulsory order to be adhered by all. Only authorized spaces sold legally by the MCD will be allowed for putting up posters and banners,' he added.

The drive, Sain added, will be a regular feature.

'Not just for the Commonwealth Games, we want that anyone who visits Delhi finds the city beautiful and clean,' he said.

International exposure would help us to improve before CWG: Rugby India

With the good finish in Asian 7s tour still fresh in mind, Rugby India captain Nasser Hussain feels more international exposure on the run-up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games would help the hosts perform better in the quadrennial sporting extravaganza here.Indians put up an all-round performance in the Asian 7s event, which was held in Brunei, Borneo and Singapore from October 24 to November 15, and even reached the Bowl Division final in Borneo, where they went down to Chinese Taipei 0-19.

"Playing more and more international tournaments always come handy for a side, which is still learning and developing itself into a more professional manner. More international exposure would help us to improve the performance before Delhi hosts the Commonwealth Games," Hussain said.

Although Rugby in India is still at a nascent stage, lacking class, resources and identity, it has not lowered the confidence of Indians who are harbouring dream of a good finish in the 2010 Games.

"During the Asian 7s tournament, we got the better of a couple of higher ranked opponents like Lao and Brunei and the results have certainly added to our confidence. We definitely need more international tournaments," Hussain said.

India is currently lying 83rd among 95 countries in the world rankings with the Commonwealth group of countries dominating the top-10.

To sharpen skill of the players, Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has now planned second training-cum-competition camp in South Africa for the men's team before the Games.

Two South African coaches would also accompany the team. Meanwhile, Avani Sabade, captain of the country's first ever women's rugby team, also feels more international matches would help the Indians understand the playing style of their fast-paced Asian opponents.

"I think, Asian 7s experience was really good, which would definitely help the team in longer run. Graduating from the second division tournaments to fast-paced international events are immensely helping our team," Sabade said.

Indian eves pulled off an upset against hosts Malaysia in the Asian 7s circuit in Kota Kinabalu.

"It was only our second international outing after we toured Pattaya (Thailand) in May this year. Our performance is improving with the experience and now we got a morale-boosting victory over Malaysia in their own backyard," Sabade said.

The women's team, however, would not be seen in action in the Commonwealth Games as women category does not exist in the quadrennial event.

Johnston appointed lawn bowls head coach

One of Australia's most decorated lawn bowlers, Rex Johnston, has been appointed the new national coach to lead the team into the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Johnston will commence his duties immediately by overseeing next week's four-day national camp at the NSW Institute of Sport.

During a distinguished playing career, Johnston pulled on the green and gold on more than 300 occasions and in the process became the only Australian player to feature at four Commonwealth Games, capturing a gold and silver medal along the way.

He coached the Malta national team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

With Cameron Curtis recently tendering his resignation, Johnston, who has served as a national selector since 2006, has assumed the game's top job and will immediately begin plotting Australia's campaign for next year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

"It's exciting times ahead," Johnston said.

"I've got a few different ideas that I would like to implement, but it's basically building on what we've done in the past and hopefully improving.

"The transition (between Cameron and myself) should be fairly smooth and I think our preparation between now and Delhi should be brilliant."

We're gearing up for Commonwealth Games: DRM

If everything goes well as per the plans of North Western Railway, Jaipur railway station would soon be offering facilities at par with the best stations in the country. An air-conditioned VIP lounge, ATMs, well-lit parking and surroundings, escalators, lifts and a touch screen enquiry system are being developed.

As part of its core plans for the Commonwealth Games, many improvements have been suggested, including a second entrance to the railway station from Hasanpura side, retiring and waiting rooms with bathing facilities, escalators and National Train Enquiry System (NTES), among others.

A rock garden with a fountain is being constructed at the entrance and its concept lighting would display the cultural heritage of Pink City. Apart from this, a wonderful painting depicting the royal touch of the state has already been covering the walls of the waiting room.

Divisional railway manager, North Western Railway (NWR), G R Agarwal said the projects were going on at good pace and the railway is hopeful of offering best facilities to the visitors during Commonwealth Games.

"We conducted a detailed survey to identify the requirements at the entrance, platforms and other commuter-friendly facilities. A detailed inspection was also carried out at platforms, passenger facilitation centres, waiting rooms and refreshment centres, among other places of public use," he said. The work started soon after the announcement by railway minister Mamata Banerjee in the budget to develop Jaipur as a world-class railway station.

Lifts would be installed at the station by March 31 but the installation of escalators might take some time though. It would be done before the Games. "We have sanction for four escalators, two of which would be installed at the booking office side and two at platforms," he said. Most of the work in the station premises, like improvement of parking lot, roads etc, have been done.

Kalmadi Left Red-Faced As Bolt Denies CWG Participation Promise

Usain Bolt has said no to promising to participate in the 2010 CWG.

Contradicting Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi's claims, three-time Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has denied making any commitment to run at the event in New Delhi next year.

In what would come as a major embarrassment for the organisers, Bolt's manager Ricky Simms says the world champion Jamaican has not made any promises so far and will decide on his participation only next year.

"I've spoken to Glen Mills (Bolt's coach) who confirmed that no decision will be made about Usain's participation in the Commonwealth Games until May-June 2010 when he starts racing in the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) Diamond League," Simms told 'Insidethegames.com', a sports website here.

Kalmadi, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Port of Spain, claimed that Bolt, the world record holder for the 100 and 200 metres event, would definitely compete in the Delhi Games scheduled October 3 to 14 next year.

The star sprinter, however, maintains that it is too early to commit to the event, the build-up to which has been far from ideal with mounting concerns about the pace of infrastructure development. Considered the fastest man on the planet, Bolt had missed the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne due to a hamstring injury.

UK Broadcaster SIS to broadcast 2010 Games India Live in HDTV format

The much awaited 2010 Commonwealth Games in India will be broadcasted by SIS Live (Satellite Information Service) as the public broadcaster Doordarshan has awarded the important contract to cover the 2010 Commonwealth Games to the British company SIS Live.
To make certain better image resolution for the first time in India, Europe’s leading Outside Broadcast (OB) and uplink supplier, SIS will provide the production and coverage facilities and services to cover the 2010Commonwealth Games which will be held in New Delhi. SIS Live will use High Definition TV (HD TV) for the first time in the past record of Commonwealth Games.

Broadcaster Doordarshan (DD), a subsidiary of Prasar Bharati, is the host broadcaster for the Games which will be held in New Delhi from 3-14 October 2010.

After a thorough tender process, Aruna Sharma (Director General of Doordarshan and Prasar Bharati) said that they have tied up with SIS Live to cover 2010Commonwealth Games. The Games’ contract to SIS Live is valued at $500 million, according to industry sources.

Further Arun Sharma said, “SIS Live would provide all production facilities and personnel to cover 17 different sports across 12 venues in Delhi, as well asthe Games’ opening and closing ceremonies.” Moreover, SIS will also provide coverage of the Queen’s Baton Relay, which will make a 340-day, 120,000-mile journey across all theCommonwealth countries and territories, ending in New Delhi at the beginning of the Games on October 3, 2010.

Sharma added that SIS Live will also provide foreign commentators for the Commonwealth Games, though DD will arrange Hindi and other regional languages commentators for the domestic viewers.

SIS Live is supplying more than 1,000 highly-skilled technical and production staff at the 12 venues, assisted by 300 DD staff, which will be trained by SIS’ technicians.