Ellen Fullerton has her eyes on Delhi Commonwealth Games trials

TEENAGE flyer Ellen Fullerton isn't too worried whether she shimmers or stumbles at the Queensland State Championships, which start today, because she has eyes only for March's national championships which double as the Commonwealth Games trials in Sydney.

The Pro-Ma Miami marvel, who debuted at the World Championships in Rome earlier this year, is part of coach Denis Cotterell's 20-plus pod of competitors heading to the Brisbane Aquatic Centre at Chandler for the annual showdown which brings together over 2000 competitors across open and age group swimmers.

But the 17-year-old couldn't be more relaxed as she prepares to tackle a daunting program which will take in the 200m and 400m freestyle, the 200m and 400m individual medleys, not to mention the 4x100m medley and 4x100 freestyle relays.

"I'm really just viewing the meet as great practice going into the trials in March," explained Fullerton, whose program places her on a possible collision course with her idol and look-alike, triple Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice.

"For me, and a lot of the swimmers it's about qualifying for the Commonwealth Games. It would be a massive thrill to make the Australian team again."

The state titles are the last Australian meet before the full polyurethane suits are banned. During the week Fullerton posed in Sydney for the new compliant Speedo suits with Dolphins teammates Emily Seebohm, Leisel Jones, Libby Trickett, Bronte Barratt, Eamon Sullivan and Andrew Lauterstein.

She gets to try out her new suit tomorrow, and is confident it will keep her in the fast lane for a spot in the Australian squad for October's Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The Miami contingent also includes Fullerton's close friend Katie Goldman who will go head-to-head with her in the 200m and 400m freestyle.

Jade Neilsen will swim the 100m and 200m freestyle while Amy Levings will churn up the lanes in the 200m and 400m butterfly, medley and freestyle.

Coordination commission starts evaluating Commonwealth Games work

The Coordination Commission (CoCom) of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has begun the process of evaluating Delhi's preparations for the 2010 Games.

CoCom chairman Austin Sealy, who has visited some of the venues in the last couple of days, said he has started taking stock of the situation.

"All I can say is that the process has started. It is too early to speak to the media," he told IANS.

The seven-member CoCom will be briefed by different agencies on the current status of work and the Organising Committee (OC) will make a presentation on operational matters.

CoCom member Michael Hopper said he and Sealy visited the Games village and the Indira Gandhi Stadium Friday.

Hopper said that Sealy has visited some more venues Saturday.

"There is a noticeable progress in work after the whole issue came into the limelight. But we will get a clear picture when the OC and various agencies make their presentations," Hooper said.

The three-day exercise beginning Monday will critically review of the progress of work.

"There are a wide range of issues related to completion of venues and on the operations that will be discussed during the CoCom meeting. We will analyse everything," Hooper said.

Interestingly, Sports Minister M. S. Gill has himself gone around some of the venues to get a first hand knowledge of the works in progress.

The CoCom will take a couple of weeks to table its report to the Commonwealth Games Federation executive board. But before that, they will also give their inputs to CGF chief Michael Fennell, who will arrive next week.

A decision will also be taken on setting up of an independent review panel to monitor the monthly progress of the work for the Games, a move that was rejected by the Organising Committee.

NTPC to be official partner for Commonwealth Games

The NTPC will be the official Power Partner for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the biggest sports extravaganza to be organised in the sub-continent.

An MoU to this effect was signed between the NTPC and the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee in the presence of Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Minister of State for Power Bharatsinh Solanki here last evening.

The MoU was signed by MP and Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi and NTPC CMD R S Sharma. Secretary (Power) H S Brahma and senior officials from the Ministry, Commonwealth Secretariat and the NTPC were also present on the occasion.

Later speaking on the occasion, Mr Kalmadi said, ''We are very happy to get on board the NTPC as the official power partner for the CWG 2010.

The Games offers a great opportunity for Indian businesses to explore and develop new growth opportunities and to establish a strong connect with people spread across diverse geographies.'' Mr Kalmadi said, ''The Commonwealth Games have undoubtedly asserted India's global presence and brought to the forefront the country's emergence as a sporting, political and economic giant.'' Echoing similar views, Mr Sharma said, ''NTPC's vision to be a world class integrated power major and power India's growth, matches with that of Commonwealth Games. This association shall provide the NTPC brand a platform for visibility across the country and the globe. NTPC's association with the Games will help in enhancing positive brand values of youth, vitality, health and achievement.'' The NTPC will market its leadership position through the use of the Games marks and imagery. This recognition will allow NTPC to enjoy marketing rights, advertising, promotion and recognition to connect with all its customers around the country.

The NTPC would add about 1500 MW from its Dadri and Jhajjar projects which are slated to be ready by the Commonwealth Games deadline.

The NTPC-Dadri presently generates 840 MW of power through coal and 817 MW through gas. With the additional 980 MW coal capacity, the installed capacity of the station would rise to 2637 MW.