Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) scheme will ensure all round development of children

Heading India’s one of the best schools is not easy. Newsline caught up with Dr D R Saini, Principal of DPS R K Puram for a tête-à-tête and the conversation reeled from his days in the hostel to the CBSE’s Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) scheme.

Dr D R Saini is also the President of the Delhi Basketball Association. He is a member of the Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games 2010 and is Vice-Chairman of the Bowling Federation of India.

We have had principals speak on the CCE scheme very openly, both against and in favour of. What are your views on the topic?

Yesterday, Chairman of CBSE Vineet Joshi was at the school. And he spoke to the teachers and parents about the continuous and comprehensive evaluation. According to me, this is a very good system. It is meant for all round harmonious development of the child. It will promote child’s inherent talent. It will take into account both the scholastic and non-scholastic activities into account.

There have been voices from certain quarters that CCE will reduce the competition among children and the competitive edge that students always wanted will not be there.

Competition will be there. Every child will aspire to get an A grade. Advantage will go to the weaker. Now the student who secures 91 per cent will be on an equal footing with a student who secures 100 per cent marks. So, it’s a good thing.

With CCE in place for Class IX, do you find students taking more interest in other activities like drama clubs, eco clubs?

Yes, now there is an increased interest in other activities. CCE has reduced the focus on academics, though our school is still the best in academics, I find students taking keen interest in activities other than just academics. There will no longer be rote learning.

So, is the CCE is in favour of the children?

Completely. You see, there will be a four-page report card now onwards that will be given to the students at the end of class X. Earlier, a child would be under a lot of pressure on the day of exam, even parents and teachers would be under stress. CCE has made things easier for students.

The CCE will grade the life skills of a child. Do you think life skills can be taught?

That’s where teachers’ role is crucial. Teachers are involved with the students all year through. They are in a better position to judge. But the teachers have to be trained. The problem is that if teachers are not trained, it cannot work.

The ball is in the court of teachers. They have to play a fair role. Earlier they were not in the picture.

In Class IX, CCE is in force. So has the method of teaching changed?

No, the teaching methods are the same. But projects are being given regularly and the weekly tests are in place.

Now that the nursery admissions have begun, are there any changes in the points system this year?

No, we are following last years system. The forms will be available online from December 15, 2009 to January 15, 2010. This year we have chosen the online option as it saves a lot of parents’ time and our time as well.

Dr Saini, tell us something about yourself and your association with the DPS.

(Smiles). I joined the school as a grade IV teacher in 1978. I was promoted to grade III as a TGT. Then I was the deputy head and then head of the department. I became the Vice- Principal in 1995. And In August this year, I became the principal after the retirement of Dr Shyama Chona.

As is evident you have a very old and strong bond with the school. How do you intent to take the name of DPS forward?

Our students are doing very well in all the fields. Our ex-students have excelled everywhere. We have a plan to lay lawn bowling greens inside the school premises and the government has allocated Rs 20 crores to us. It will be used for bowling during the Commonwealth Games 2010. It will be finished by March 2010. We also want to have a footbridge from the school to the sports complex.

Tell us something about the school for the economically weaker section.

We started the school in the second shift for the EWS in 1999. Right now we have about 700 students in the second shift school. We were the first school to initiate this.

How do you spend your leisure time? Who are your favourite authors?

As I reside inside the school, work never stops for me. And whenever I get time I pick up any book to read. I like books by APJ Abdul Kalam.

Sir, it was wonderful talking to you.

Thank you.

No further delay please, CoCom pleads

The home stretch might still be some time away, but the Commonwealth Games Federation's (CGF) Coordination Commission (CoCom) chief Alan Sealy is hoping things fall in place much before that.

Here, along with other members of the commission, Sealy said after three days of inspections and studying reports from various agencies that though there had been progress over the past two months, work needed to be accelerated further.

Sealy said that the commission was concerned that the timetable had been extended by at least three months since the September deadline and that most venues will not be handed over to the Organising Committee (OC) till June.

"We urge the construction agencies to ensure that no further delays are encountered as this will place the OC in a difficult position and compromise final preparations and Games readiness," Sealy said on Wednesday after the commission glossed over detailed presentations from a range of functional areas like infrastructure, security, transport, accreditation, village operations, technology and venue operations.

But Sealy expressed satisfaction at the reports and the increased awareness among Indian officials. "Each session was extensive, with opportunities for us to question the OC and government to provide feedback. A series of action items have been identified and will be summarised in the commission's final report," said Sealy.

"It was certainly helpful to have the representatives of the Commonwealth Games Associations, who will bring their athletes to Delhi as part of this CoCom. Each of them has vast experience of what are the specific needs of their athletes and teams during the lead-in and competition period."

Ousted IWF secretary to contest polls

Squadron Leader Baldev Raj Gulati, the ousted secretary-general of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF), may have had to resign last month under pressure from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) over the issue of doping, but he is not giving up yet.

Gulati resigned from his post along with all other office bearers after the International Weightlifting Federation was reported to have told the IOA to get a new body in place if it hoped for any kind of reprieve after a string of doping cases.

But Gulati, who has often been blamed for the rampant doping in the country, is hoping to be again among the new set of office-bearers that will take charge after the IOA conducts elections on December 27. "I am not contesting for the post of secretary-general but for one of the other positions," Gulati told DNA, adding that he hoped India would be able to participate in next year's Commonwealth Games.

"Once the final dope test results are out and the penalty is paid (by the IWF or the IOA), the lifters will get a go-ahead for the Commonwealth Games, for which they are currently attending a camp at the Army Sports Institute in Pune," he said. "The penalty has not been announced officially. However, if found guilty we stand to lose half-a-million dollars. But the Sports Authority of India (SAI) is to be blamed for this," Gulati said.

The International Weightlifting Federation, at its executive committee meeting in South Korea last month, decided to put off the punishment for the Indian federation till the individual cases had been dealt with. Under international rules, a national body may be handed a ban of up to four years with fines, if three or more lifters test positive for banned substances during a calendar year.

If a ban of more than a year is imposed, India will have to face the ignominy of being barred from fielding its 'lifters in the October 3-14 Games. India have been banned twice in the past -- in 2004 and 2006 -- apart from escaping with a heavy fine on one other occasion.

U-turn: Games commission says Delhi OC okay, construction not

In October, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell had said that the functioning of the Organising Committee (OC), and not the pace of building the infrastructure, was a bigger roadblock in Delhi’s bid to deliver a successful Games. “A lot of work remains to be done at the venues but that can be completed on time,” he had said, citing how the Ashoka Hotel, the venue for the CGF General Assembly, was renovated in less than six months’ time.

Two months later, the CGF has changed track, with its Coordination Commission (CoCom), after a three-day meeting to review progress, giving a thumbs-up to the Suresh Kalmadi-led OC, while expressing concerns about the pace of construction, fearing that, in some cases, the competition venues may not be ready until June next year.

“There has been noticeable progress over the last two months, however, with effectively only nine months remaining, the intensity must continue, and in fact, works must be accelerated,” CoCom chairman Austin Sealy said in a statement.

The Commission, Sealy said, was concerned that the timetable for venue completion had, in most cases, been extended by at least three months. “We urge the construction agencies to ensure that no further delays are encountered as this will place the OC in a difficult position and compromise final preparations and Games readiness,” he said.

The eight-member Commission, though, after going through a series of presentations and assessing key functional areas, including accreditation, village operations, security, technology, transport and venue operations, gave the OC a pat on the back. “There was a sense of energy and urgency from Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the OC, and the entire Delhi team about getting on with the job, which is a positive, and it is clear that everyone is committed to making these Games a success,” Sealy said.

OC vice-chairman Randhir Singh, who was coordinating with the commission, said Sealy’s feedback was a boost to their morale. “A lot of progress has been made in the last two months and CoCom has acknowledged that. Their positive remarks have given us a lot of confidence,” Randhir told The Indian Express.

The full report is expected to be out by the end of this month. As for the other outcomes of our meetings, a series of action items have been identified and will be summarised in the Commission’s final report on this meeting. CoCom will now share its findings with Fennell, who arrives on Friday for the OC’s Executive Board.

After German stint, Chetan hopes to strike gold at home

India’s top ranked shuttler Chetan Anand has his priorities clear for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

While he admits that a win in the prestigious Syed Modi memorial Grand Prix tournament here will set the right momentum for upcoming international meets next year, he is not too impressed by the lower-ranked foreign players in the fray. “I had won both the individual and team championship bronze in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Now, with the prestigious event being held in India, I would settle for nothing less than gold. To be honest, playing in India amid home support will be easier,” Chetan said, talking to The Indian Express.

The world No 17, though, insists that participation and a good show here will “go a long way in helping Indian players assess their fitness level and all top players should take part in such reputed tournaments. I have participated in Syed Modi tournament a number of times, winning once and reaching the final a couple of times,” he said, adding that the exposure here will also help prepare the Indians for the Malaysian and Korean Super Series events, to be held in January next year.

Talking about his own preparations, Chetan said, “I have been training abroad in patches for the past one year. I play for German Club Berlin where I often play with some of the top players. All this will help me in the Commonwealth Games.” The 29-year-old is content with the development of the game in the country. “Teams are being sent abroad for exposure, including the youth teams. For seniors, I think a trip to Denmark or Indonesia could do wonders,” he said.

Top seeds Saina Nehwal and Chetan Anand notched up contrasting wins to cruise into the pre-quarterfinals of the tournament on Wednesday.

While Saina blew away Juhi Dewangan 21-5 21-2 in just 14 minutes to set up a clash with Chitralekha, Chetan took 29 minutes to prevail over Srujan Nandaluri 21-19 21-12. He will next take on Indonesian Adnan Fauzi in the next round.

Among other results, Anup Sridhar beat Prakash Jolly 21-13 21-15, RMV Guru sai Dutt thrashed Ajay K Kumar 21-8 21-6, Ajay Jayaram pipped German Marcel Reuter 21-16 21-13, P Kashyap trounced K Nandgopal 21-10 21-16 and Sai Praneet B beat Tanvir Gill 21-15 21-17.

In the women’s section, PV Sindhu stunned eighth seed Sayali Gokhale 21-17 21-10, seventh seed Trupti Murgunde beat Sara Naqvi 21-9 21-15, Mohita Sahdev beat Rachita Sahdev 21-11 21-10, Aditi Mutatkar defeated Saili Rane 21-8 21-7 and Neha Pandit brushed aside Nansala Tamang of Nepal 21-9 21-8 to reach the second round.

Drive from Nehru Place to NH-8 gets signal-free

Traffic movement on busy stretch of Outer Ring Road in South Delhi, between Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus and National Highway 8, is all set to improve.

Delhi’s Public Works Department (PWD) will on Thursday open the new flyover at Munirka, bringing much-desired respite to traffic movement in the area.

The Munirka flyover is last in a series of three constructed along the five-kilometre stretch of Outer Ring Road.

While the Nelson Mandela Marg flyover was opened in August 2009, the single carriageway flyover on Rao Tula Ram Marg crossing was commissioned for traffic in November this year.

The opening of the Munirka flyover has now made the drive from Nehru Place to NH8 signal free,” said a senior PWD engineer.

“The three-flyovers were the most crucial flyover projects taken up the PWD in wake of the Commonwealth Games 2010. The three flyovers will facilitate non-stop movement of athletes and officials of 72 participating countries between the Indira Gandhi International Airport and upcoming Commonwealth Games village in East Delhi during the Games in October 2010,” he added.

The 1200-metre long Munirka flyover that covers three important traffic intersections—Vivekanand Marg, Nelson Mandela Marg and Poorvi Marg— was initially expected to be commissioned first.

The opening of the Munirka flyover has come up within a week of the opening of the Raja Ram Kohli Marg flyover in East Delhi.

The Raja Ram Kohli Marg flyover, along with another flyover at Shastri Nagar along the Marginal Bund Road and signal-free ITO Chungi and the Yamuna bridge near Geeta Colony, which was opened last year, has made the drive from Noida to Shantivan signal-free.

The opening of this flyover has come as a boon to residents of East Delhi.

Demand for registering tour operators raised in Rajya Sabha

Members in the Rajya Sabha today raised a demand for registering tour operators in the country to avoid unpleasant atmosphere during the 2010 Commonwealth Games. A Special Mention to this effect was made by Samajwadi Party MP Mahendra Mohan which was associated by many Members in the House.

Ms Anusuya Uikey, BJP, demanded providing passenger amenities in the trains across the country. Mr Prashanta Chatterjee, CPI-M, demanded acquisition of new coaches for Ladies Special trains under the Sealdah Division of the Eastern Railways. Mr Ganga Charan, BSP, raised the voice for creation of separate state of Bundelkhand region falling in between Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh border.

Mr Raghunandan Sharma, BJP, requested attention to striking workers in West Bengal jute mills while Mr P Rajeeve, CPI-M, demanded proposed merger of HMT with defence organisations.

CoCom concerned over delay in completion of projects

The Commonwealth Games Federation's Coordination Commission (CoCom) today expressed concerns that the timetable for venue completion for the Games, in most cases, been extended by at least three months and, in some cases, it seems venues will not be handed over to the Organising Committee (OC) until June.

After completing its evaluation of the on going work for the Games, CoCom, chaired by CGF Honorary Treasurer from Barbados, Austin Sealy said,''We urge the construction agencies to ensure that no further delays are encountered as this will place the OC in a difficult position and compromise final preparations and Games readiness.'' ''As for the other outcomes of our meetings, a series of action items have been identified by the CoCom and will be summarised in the Commission's final report on this meeting,'' he added.

The CoCom, however, admitted that,''There has been noticeable progress over the last two months, however, with effectively only nine months remaining, the intensity must continue, and in fact, works must be further accelerated.'' ''We received detailed reports from the Organising Committee (OC) across key areas where we had previously identified delivery risks. These reports show an increased awareness of the work that must be undertaken,'' Sealy said. ''There was a sense of energy and urgency from Suresh Kalmadi, the Chairman of the OC, and the entire Delhi team about getting on with the job, which is a positive, and it is clear that everyone is committed to making these Games a success.

''Each session was extensive, with opportunities for us to question the OC and government and to provide feedback. There was a sharing of information. It was very much a two-way street.

''It was certainly helpful to have the representatives of the Commonwealth Games Associations who will bring their athletes to Delhi as part of this CoCom. Each of them has vast experience of what are the specific needs of their athletes and their teams during the lead-in and competition period,'' he added.

The CoCom will now report to the CGF and the Organising Committee (OC). The CGF President, Michael Fennell, will be arriving here on Friday to have discussions with the key members of the OC on the critical issues that have been identified by the Commission.

India will dominate CWG 2010 tennis, asserts Bhupathi

With less than a year to go for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Mahesh Bhupathi has shot off a warning to his rivals, asserting that India will win all the gold medals in tennis.

''With me, Leander, Somdev, Rohan (Bopanna) and Sania all being there, of course, we are hoping to win every gold medal there is in tennis,'' Bhupathi told mediapersons on the sidelines of an event in the capital today.

Talking about his plans for the next year, Bhupathi said, ''I am playing the mixed doubles at the Australin Open with Sania. We are ranked third in the world as a team and hopefully we will do well.'' ''We will also play as a team in the Commonwealth Games, so the more we play together, the better it is,'' he added.

Bhupathi will rejoin his former doubles partner Max Mirnyi next season and the 35-year-old is looking forward to his second stint with the Belarusian.

''Hopefully it will be (lucky). It is not a new partnership, we have played together on the Tour and done extremely well. I am looking forward to it,'' he quipped.

GOC Hosts Queen's Baton Relay

Ahead of the 2010 XIX Commonwealth Games, slated for New Delhi in India, the re-instated Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has hosted the Queen's Baton. The Queen's Baton Relay which arrived in the country yesterday from Gambia in the company of KS Banshtu was to whip up enthusiasm among the Ghanaian sporting populace.

Yesterday, after the press conference at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel in Accra, the President of the GOC, Mr. BT Baba, revealed the program line-up for the three-day visit of the Baton.

The GOC and the team that brought the Baton, after a photo opportunity with the Baton yesterday, called on the UK, Australia, and India High commissions with the Baton.

Yesterday, the visitors took the Baton, which contains the Queen's message, to Metro TV, TV 3, GTV, New Times Corporation, TV Africa, and later in the day to Graphic Communications Group Limited.

It would wrap up the tour with a visit to the Central Region, Cape Coast, where they would call on the Paramount Chief, Osabarima Kwesi Atta, as well as visit the Kakum Park, the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles.

The Baton tour began begun in the UK on October 29, and toured some European countries, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and would hit Nigeria, from Ghana, then through Cameroon to Kenya, Uganda, Seychelles and South Africa.

Commonwealth Games panel concerned at revised dates for venues

The Commonwealth Games Federation's Coordination Commission (CoCom) Wednesday expressed concern at the deadline for the completion of venues being extended by at least three months, and cautioned that further delays could compromise final preparations for the Oct 3-14 mega event.

The CoCom, chaired by Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) treasurer Austin Sealy, completed its review of Delhi's preparedness for the 2010 Games.

"The commission was concerned that the deadline for venue completion has, in most cases, been extended by at least three months since the September forecast. And in some cases, it seems venues will not be handed over to the Organising Committee (OC) until June," Sealy said in a statement.

"We request the construction agencies to ensure that there are no further delays as this will place the OC in a difficult position and compromise final preparations and Games readiness," he said.

"As for the other outcomes of our meetings, a series of actions have been identified by the CoCom and will be summarised in the Commission's final report."

The deadline for the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies, has been twice revised. The stadium is the venue for athletics, weightlifting and lawn balls. The athletics facility will be the last to be completed and June 30 has been set as the new deadline.

The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, scheduled to host gymnastics, cycling and wrestling, is also behind schedule as construction for the cycling velodrome started late. The deadline for completion of the venue is March 31.

The sports infrastructure is being handled by different government agencies. Of the 17 disciplines, nine will be held in stadiums of Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Sealy said he was, however, pleased to see that there was clear progress in a number of areas since September.

"There was a sense of energy and urgency from Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the OC, and the entire Delhi team about getting on with the job, which is a positive, and it is clear that everyone is committed to see a successful Games."

"We received detailed reports from the OC on key areas where we had previously identified delivery risks. These reports show an increased awareness of the work that must be undertaken," Sealy said.

"Each session was extensive, with opportunities for us to question the OC and government and to provide feedback. There was a sharing of infomation."

Sealy said there has been noticeable progress since CGF president Michael Fennell's visit to India in October.

"However, with only nine months remaining, the intensity must continue, and in fact, works must be further accelerated," he said.

The commission received detailed presentations from a range of key functional areas, including accreditation, village operations, security, technology, transport and venue operations.

Sealy also undertook visits to all competition venues.

The CoCom will now report to the CGF and the OC. Fennell will be arriving in Delhi Friday to have discussions with the key members of the OC on the critical issues that have been identified by the CoCom.

Our next Libby at just 14

IN the week that Libby Trickett announced her retirement, the girl who may eventually replace her in the national team, Yolane Kukla, 14, declared her intent at the Queensland championships.

Kukla stepped into the frame for Commonwealth Games selection next year by smashing the national 14 years' age record in the 100m freestyle, becoming the youngest Australian woman to break 55 seconds.

Her time of 54.99sec would have earned her fourth place, and a spot on the national team, at this year's world titles selection trials.

"I think she is capable of making the (Commonwealth Games) team, and whether that's as a relay or an individual swimmer will depend on how she handles the occasion," Kukla's coach Michael Palfery said yesterday.

"Libby's departure opens up the door for the younger kids coming through, and we are going to have a crack at it.

"I think (Kukla) can get faster by the end of the season."

If Kukla's timing is this impeccable for the rest of her career, she will have every chance of rising to the peak of the sport.

Already, the comparisons with Trickett are unavoidable.

Like the triple Olympic gold medallist, Kukla hails from Brisbane and is a compact athletic type with a strong power-to-weight ratio, courtesy of a background as an elite gymnast.

She also excels in the same events -- 50m and 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly -- showing the kind of sprint versatility that is invaluable to the national team.

This week she has also demonstrated an ability to compete confidently in open company.

She finished second behind Trickett's immediate successor, Olympic medallist Cate Campbell, 17, in the 50m freestyle in Brisbane, clocking a personal best time of 25.17sec.

Among those in her wake were seasoned international competitors, triple Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sophie Edington and world 50m butterfly champion Marieke Guehrer.

"She's raced tough this week, she's doing age and open events at this meet and she's stepped up more in the open events," Palfery said.

Kukla's freestyle times this week would have been good enough to reach both Olympic finals at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the last Games before the rise of the performance-enhancing polyurethane bodysuits which will be banned next year.

And tellingly, Kukla swam in a suit that was as close as she could find to be compliant with the new rules.

If she does qualify for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, she will join a small but celebrated club of Australians to break into the national team at 14.

The most recent were Leisel Jones (2000) and Ian Thorpe (1997).

Two other Queenslanders, Tessa Wallace and Jayden Hadler, both 16, also emerged as Games prospects this week.

Wallace finished second to Jones in the 200m breaststroke in 2min 26.03sec, while Hadler broke Andrew Lauterstein's national age record in the 100m butterfly, clocking 53.78sec.

Meanwhile, Guehrer, Australia's most-travelled international competitor, will make one last excursion this year, to contest the Salnikov Cup in St Petersburg this weekend.

At the last meet of the year, Guehrer plans to make one last attempt on the world short-course record in the 100m backstroke, before polyurethane suits are banned.

l Triple Olympic gold medallist Petria Thomas will be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Florida, next May.

Thomas, who won eight Olympic medals during her career, one short of Thorpe's Australian record tally, will be one of 10 greats added to the hall. Others include Germany's Franziska van Almsick and US distance champion Brooke Bennett.

Laws protecting workers flouted at CWG sites

A labour union claimed on Wednesday that provisions of law protecting construction workers were being 'blatantly' flouted by the authorites at Commonwealth Games construction sites and demanded the government to take necessary steps in this regard.

"Government and private enterprises are blatantly flouting the laws, rules and regulations that needed to be adhered to for the benefit of labourers working on various projects of Commonwealth Games 2010," Bhartiya Labour Union alleged.

The labour body also staged a demonstration in protest against the 'atrocities against labourers' in New Delhi

The union alleged: The Building and other Construction Workers Act, which has provisions for social security to workers in the construction industry and their families, clean drinking water facility on construction sites, creches at the sites with over 50 female workers, first-aid facilities, safety regulations and pension plans, is not being followed.

Saying that more than 3,00,000 labourers were engaged in the Commonwealth Games construction sites, Bhartiya Labour Union general secretary A Khan alleged, 'these labourers are working in dangerous conditions with not even the minimum wages and without job security in absence of basic living amenities such as maternity and child care.'

"The labourers working for the project are nowhere near as being treated as humans...In this time of inflation, the wages of labourers are a shocking Rs 80-90 per day," he alleged and demanded the government to increase their wages.

India urged to speed up Commonwealth Games work

India needs to speed up work if next year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi are to be a success, the head of the Games' co-ordination commission said on Wednesday.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) treasurer Austin Sealy said India

had made "noticeable" progress towards the October 3-14 Games, but a lot remained to be done.

"There has been noticeable progress over the last two months, but with effectively only nine months remaining, the intensity must continue, and in fact, works must be further accelerated," Sealy said in a statement.

Sealy added the commission was concerned that the timetable for the completion of venues had been extended by at least three months, with some venues unlikely to be finished by June.

"We urge the construction agencies to ensure that no further delays are encountered as this will place the organising committee in a difficult position and compromise final preparations and Games readiness," Sealy said.

The co-ordination commission, which includes sports officials from Australia, Wales, South Africa, Canada and Kenya, spent the last three days in New Delhi evaluating the preparations.

The commission will submit its findings to CGF president Michael Fennell, who is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Friday to meet the organising committee.

Sealy said the organisers, headed by Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi, were committed to holding a successful Games.

"We received detailed reports from the organising committee across key areas where we had previously identified delivery risks," he said.

"These reports show an increased awareness of the work that must be undertaken. There was a sense of energy and urgency from the entire Delhi team about getting on with the job.

"That is a positive, and it is clear that everyone is committed to making these Games a success."

The CGF general assembly had in October warned India it faced "an enormous challenge" to be ready for the Games, which involve 6,000 international athletes competing in 17 sports.

The federation highlighted problems ranging from ticketing, accommodation and transport to accreditation and logistics, besides the construction of venues.

The Commonwealth Games, the biggest multi-sport event to be staged in India since the Asian Games in 1982, will feature 71 nations and territories, mainly from the former British Empire.

Games chiefs concerned at preparations

A Commonwealth Games Federation official has warned that progress in infrastructure for the 2010 games should not disguise ongoing concerns about slow preparations and lapsed deadlines.

The CGG coordination commission, chaired by Austin Sealy, is currently visiting New Delhi and received presentations from Indian officials on building progress and implementing games operations.

Sealy also visited all competition venues before issuing a statement Wednesday.

"There has been noticeable progress over the last two months, however, with effectively only nine months remaining, the intensity must continue, and in fact, works must be further accelerated," Sealy said.

"We urge the construction agencies to ensure that no further delays are encountered as this will place the OC (Organizing Committee) in a difficult position and compromise final preparations and games readiness."

India will host the event from Oct. 3-14 next year, featuring 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth. It hoped that the games would enhance its credentials to host even bigger events, maybe even the Olympics.

"There was a sense of energy and urgency from Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the OC, and the entire New Delhi team about getting on with the job, which is a positive, and it is clear that everyone is committed to making these Games a success," Sealy said.

He said the commission was concerned that the timetable for venue completion had, in most cases, been extended by at least three months since the September deadline, and, in some cases, it seemed venues would not be handed over to the OC until June.

He urged the construction agencies to ensure that there were no further delays.

The four-member commission was expanded by three members for the visit, adding representatives from Australia, Wales and South Africa. It will now report to the CGF and the Organizing Committee.

The CGF president Michael Fennell will visit New Delhi on Friday for meetings with Organizing Committee members to discuss concerns raised by the commission.

2010 Common Wealth Games - The Country to Compete in Seven Events

Nigeria will be fielding athletes in at least seven events at the 2010 Commonwealth Games which is to be staged in New Delhi in India.This was disclosed yesterday by the Minister of Sports and Chairman of National Sports Commission, Engineer Sani Ndanusa at the press briefing for the Queens's Baton Relay team due in Nigeria on December 18 in Abuja and Lagos.

The minister said Nigeria will field athletes in athletics, boxing, special sports, wrestling, weightlifting, table tennis and taekwondo which he said are Nigeria's strong areas.

Ndanusa maintained that Nigeria's target is to post the best African performance in the Games in New Delhi just as he said efforts are in top gear to ensure that Nigerian athletes are adequately prepared for the challenge ahead.

"In New Delhi Games, Nigeria's target is to post the best African performance in the Games. Towards this end, efforts are in top gear to ensure that Nigerian athletes are adequately prepared for the challenge.

"We will field athletes in Athletics, Boxing, Elites Athletes for Disabled, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Table Tennis and Taekwondo".

The minister also revealed that Nigerian athletes for the Games would go into closed camping in the first quarter of next year.

He said in February, all the athletes who have been training on their own within and outside the country would be brought together for foreign training camps that have been arranged for them.

The minister said sports federations have been be instructed to keep tab on their athletes so that when it is time for serious camping, there would not be any problem bringing them together.

"We have arranged training tours for the athletes. Earnest camping will start in February but we have alerted the sports federations to keep tab on their athletes. In addition, we have arranged series of national competitions to keep the athletes busy. In addition, we have lined up series of international competitions to expose the athletes who would represent the country at the Games".

Going down memory lane, Ndanusa said Nigeria's first appearance at the competitive level at the quadrennial event dates back to 1950 when Joshua Majekodunmi won the first medal for Nigeria in the high jump.

The minister noted that from that time, Nigeria has taken part in eleven Commonwealth Games and won medals with the highest number being in 1994 when she won 37 medals in Victoria, Canada.

Charles Sale- Multi-millionaire Ross playing ball with 2012 legacy

The case for London's Olympic Stadium to be included in the list of prospective 2018 World Cup venues will be put to the selection panel this morning by the business magnate who had been chosen to oversee its long-term future after 2012.

Multi-millionaire David Ross, co-founder of the Carphone Warehouse, was London Mayor Boris Johnson's handpicked adviser on the London Olympics and its legacy before having to resign a year ago for breaking Stock Market rules governing the disclosure of share holdings.

Playing ball: David Ross's return to sports business includes a position on England's Commonwealth Games board and bid vehicle London United for 2018

However, Ross's return to sports business includes a position on England's Commonwealth Games board and bid vehicle London United, for whom he is leading the campaign for four captial arenas the others being Wembley, Emirates and Spurs' new ground to be part of the 2018 bid.

Ross no longer has any role in deciding what happens to the Olympic Stadium after the London Games, But, ironically, he now has the big opportunity to influence football becoming a core component to its future even with a running track in place.

The panel are expected to select at least 16 stadiums today, allowing FIFA, who make the final choice from a minimum of 12, some room for manoeuvre.

BBC Sport are extremely sensitive about any suggestion of an inside leak sparking the Betfair gamble on Sports Personality winner Ryan Giggs.

Yet their own cricket correspondent Jon Agnew (right), who has over 25,000 followers on Twitter, posted a picture from South Africa of the team of the year trophy won by the England cricket team an hour before the announcement.

Former local businessman and Notts County chairman Derek Pavis, now living in retirement in Spain, is showing interest in returning to Meadow Lane where a stand is named after him.

Executive chairman Peter Trembling, who lost his manager Hans Backe despite his management buy-out, is desperately looking for new investment in the League Two team and is understood to be offering a five per cent stake in the club for a £250,000 injection of funds.

Nike's wholehearted support for serial womaniser Tiger Woods is not only shown in their unequivocal weekend statement looking forward to his return to the golf course but also in their global intent to keep using their long-running slogan Just Do It.

Even though in connection with Tiger, it's now morphed everywhere into Just Do Her or Just Done Her.

Water under the bid?The England 2018 World Cup team had every right to be trumpeting the Government signing off the £300m worth of guarantees required by FIFA covering tax, visas and security over five months in advance of the bid book being submitted in May.

Crucial signature: Ex-FA chairman, Geoff Thompson

And all the potential stadiums for an England World Cup, to be announced this afternoon, have the myriad FIFA requirements in place as well.

But former FA chairman Geoff Thompson's crucial signature remains to be collected before the England bid can fully say they are right back on track following their meltdown period sparked by FIFA powerbroker Jack Warner's criticisms.

Thompson, who sits on the voting FIFA ExCo, has belatedly been made a director of the bid in the crisis re-structuring but has yet to attend a board meeting or sign his official 2018 director documents.

And his differences with bid leader and FA chairman Lord Triesman are such, following the way Thompson was hurried out of the FA six months early, that it is still difficult to see the two of them working harmoniously together.

Such are the complexities of the football agents' regulations the FA are trying to impose that the middle men are now reporting that a single transfer deal in the next window involving dual representation and image rights requires the signing of nearly 50 documents.

West Ham's Icelandic owners, who have their doubts about the £50m bid from formerBirmingham owners David Gold and David Sullivan, are still hopeful of Malaysian entrepreneur and Hammers fan Tony Fernandes, who founded airline AirAsia, putting together a bigger offer.

Parking blues await tourists

Though countdown has begun for the Commonwealth Games, Pink City showcasing the regal heritage through the annals of history does not have proper parking slots inside the Walled City. Domestic as well as foreign tourists

don't find proper parking places for their vehicles. Cabs and other vehicles carrying tourists are parked along the roads of historical landmarks, adding to the woes of regular commuters.However, the most frequently visited site Hawa Mahal near Bari Choupar seems to represent the chaotic scene across the Walled City. The civic body for years have been doing the lip service about improving the condition. Tourist vans, buses and private taxis make a serpentine line along the roads and add to the already congested main road. Hawa Mahal Road assumes great significance as it also handles quite a substantial Delhi-Jaipur traffic.

Filth, no parking slot near Jal Mahal don't amuse tourists. Hundreds of vehicles are parked either along the road or service lanes of the main road. JMC authorities claim that the civic body has been preparing a draft plan for the development of half a dozen parking slots across the Walled City which did not see the light of the day till date.

Most of the tourists on sightseeing spree eventually shop at Johari Bazaar, Purohitji Ka Katla, Chhoti Choupar, Chandpol, Choura Rasta etc. These areas have been in a chaotic situation for over a decade. These markets offer wide range of hand-made goods and textile products. However, according to local traders, they have been hit due to lack of proper parking space.

A jeweller Ashok Gupta said, "The shopkeepers are forced to park their vehicles on the road after which hardly any space is left for our customers. We have repeatedly requested the JMC to give us a separate space for parking, but nothing has happened so far. It badly hit our sales prospects as the tourists do not like to walk along this huge market."

A JMC official said the city has not been prepared to handle additional load on road. "We as of now not able to handle the current load of vehicles. How we would be coping with the additional burden during the Games. We really need to create many modernised parking slots at strategic locations across the Walled City. I doubt that facilities could be created before the Games," he added.