Indira Gandhi Stadium renovation awaits DUAC approval

The Delhi government is yet to start the upgradation and renovation of Indira Gandhi Stadium, even though the Commonwealth Games are less than a year away.

The reason, officials claim, is the objection put forward by the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) on the designs of the landscape and drainage system submitted by the Delhi government.

“Despite being told that the venue is important as gymnastics, wrestling and cycling events are scheduled to take place here, the commission has cited inconsistencies in the design and refused to clear the proposal,” said an official from the Public Works Department (PWD). The proposal was submitted last month, the official said.

The commission has also made clear that it will consider only the plans without adjacent flyovers, as the elevated road being built does not have DUAC approval. The PWD will submit revised designs on December 27, officials said.

ASI issues notices over constructions near monuments

Following a Delhi High Court order, the Archaeological Survey of India has issued notices to several agencies in the Capital, including the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, over 93 structures constructed within prohibited areas near Centrally protected monuments.

A copy of these notices has also been sent to the civic bodies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, directing them to stop approval of any further construction at these sites. The areas prohibited for construction are within 100 metres of Centrally protected monuments.

The ASI issued the notices on Tuesday and Wednesday informing the agencies that these structures were illegal as per the High Court order and face a prospect of demolition. “As per the notice, the agencies concerned have been issued a show-cause notice asking why the existing construction should not be demolished,” a senior ASI official said.

According to him, the projects where construction would now stand suspended as per the notice include some key Commonwealth Games projects such as the ambitious elevated road project over Barapullah drain and the Salimgarh Fort to Velodrome Road project being undertaken by the Public Works Department. Other projects hit belong to other agencies including the Delhi Jal Board and the Delhi Development Authority apart from individual cases of construction in areas including Green Park and Hauz Khas.

The notices were sent on the instruction of the Delhi High Court, which declared illegal a high-level expert committee that had earlier granted permissions to these agencies for construction of the structures on a case-to-case basis.

An ASI official said: “The order while declaring the committee illegal states that it has no provision or right to give permission for approving construction near Centrally protected monuments which is why the ASI has withdrawn permissions given by it earlier.” “The permissions were granted by the ASI and the committee constituted by it, comprising historians and town planners, but they stand null and void following the Court order,” he added.

Walia inspects MCD's Commonwealth Games related projects

Delhi Urban Development and Finance Minister A K Walia today inspected various MCD projects related to Commonwealth Games 2010 here. During inspection, Dr Walia took a round of Sunehri and Kushak Nallah where parking facility is being developed, Lodhi Road where street-scaping work is on, India Habitat Centre Road where improvement and strengthening work is in progress, road leading to Thyagraj Stadium where street-scaping and beautification is being undertaken and a Nallah near Thyagraj Stadium which is being improved to give a better look. Apart from this he also visited Bhishm Pitamah Marg Road Over Bridge (ROB) where resurfacing work is being done.

Dr Walia was informed that Sunehri Nallah and Kushak Nallah are being covered to create parking facility for 800 vehicles near JLN Stadium. This will cost Rs 304 crore. Around 350 cars will be parked at Sunehri Nallah Parking and 450 at Kushak Nallah Parking. It is proposed to convert Kushak Nallah Parking place into a road to connect it with Maharishi Aurobindo Marg whereas Sunehri Nallah Parking would continue to be used as parking place for visitors and employees of offices situated at CGO Complex and devotees visiting Sai Baba temple. More than 52 per cent work has been completed and it is expected that this parking facility will be commissioned by April 2010.

Dr Walia while visiting various projects related to street-scaping and beautification of roads around two stadia appreciated the efforts of executing agency for providing a breathing space for the trees on road side.

Agra stone and red tiles are being used for street-scaping for which a fascinating design has been prepared. The street-scaping work is being executed meticulously on Lodhi Road, road leading to Thyagraj Stadium and it is expected that this will be completed by May 2010. Apart from this, a Nallah near Thyagraj Stadium is also being improved to give a better look near one of the venues of Games where large number of spectators is expected to visit.

The MCD is also working on the project of improvement of Bhishm Pitamah Marg from Lodhi Road to Sewa Nagar Road Over Bridge (ROB) where resurfacing is being done to strengthen the existing bridge. This is an important link between Ring Road and JLN Stadium where opening and closing ceremony is scheduled. Dr Walia exhorted that the MCD to keep up the momentum and ensure quality construction which will go a long way in providing a world-class infrastructure for ensuing Commonwealth Games.

He was accompanied by E-in-C MCD Ravi Dass and other Chief Engineers.

I have the potential to win gold at CWG: Kashyap

Promising Indian shuttler P Kashyap believes he has the potential to win the gold medal in next year's Commonwealth Games but said it would be tough and would require a lot of hard work and training to achieve the feat.

Kashyap said he has evolved as a better player this year and feels he has the self-belief to beat any shuttler in the world.

"The competition is more in men's singles in Commonwealth Games. If I can work on my game and fitness and improve my ranking, I can qualify fot the event. I feel I can win a gold in the Commonwealth Games next year," a confident Kashyap told reporters.

Kashyap said he has to work on his concentration and scheduling of tournaments and training sessions to be in the game's elite league.

"In many matches I lost my concentration and focus in the dying moments. This is the difference between me at the top 32 and the place where I want to be," he said.

"This year, the initial six months were really good. May be I didn't get time to train. In the World Championship I could stretch the number two seed Chinese Chen Jin but I played too many tournaments this year. Scheduling is one part where I have to look into," he added.

"I will play the national tournament and then take 10 days break. Whenever I have trained hard, I have performed well. I believe I have evolved as a player this year and I believe I can beat any player now," he said.

Kashyap said with a number of important tournaments as well as Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in line, next year is very important for his career.

"2010 is an important year for me as we have lot of important tournaments lined up in India. The Indian Open, Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. So I will select some tournaments and look to perform well," the shuttler from Andhra Pradesh said.

"My fitness has been always right. I am feeling better now. But since I am an asthmatic, I have to do a lot of breathing excercises to keep myself fit. I tend to lose focus at times in the match when there is dust in the court or my nose gets blocked," he said.

Kashyap was introduced to the game by none other than national coach Pullela Gopichand at 12 and till the age of 17, he did not relaise that he was suffering from asthma.

"Asthma hinders my performace. With humidity, dust and weather, the problem starts, so I have to resort to medicines everyday. I feel that is why my fitness is not always 100 per cent and subsequently my peformance also suffers," he said.

Kashyap also brushed aside any plans to play or train with some overseas clubs.

"Right now I'm not thinking of playing for any foreign club because even now I am not getting time to train as I'm playing so many tournaments for Commonwealth Games' preparation," Kashyap said.

Commonwealth club for PPP in sports biz

The Commonwealth Business Club of India (CBCI) and the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi has urged business leaders worldwide to come forward and develop public-private partnerships to build sports in India.

At a two-day Global Sports Summit ‘Turfs’ at Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the delegates discussed about investment in sports industry.

“I encourage Indian and international business leaders to come forth and develop key Public Private Partnerships to sustain and build the future of sport in India,” said Suresh Kalmadi, chairman, CBCI and Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi.

The summit focussed on the need to channelise the funds both in the rural and the urban areas of the country.

Air Malta and the 2010 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay

Air Malta has recently assisted in the transportation of the Queen’s Baton Relay which is marking the countdown to the commencement of the 2010 XIX Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

In a statement , the airline said that the relay is representing the gathering of people from across the Commonwealth countries at a four yearly festival of sport and culture.

The Queen’s Baton Relay and contingent travelled on flight KM 100 on 8th December 2009.

Delhi govt yet to start renovation work at Indira Gandhi stadium

Despite facing flak over delay in Commonwealth Games projects, Delhi government is yet to start upgradation and renovation work at Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in the absence of an approval from a heritage panel.

Officials of the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) have now sought the Delhi Urban Art Commission's (DUAC) approval to upgrade and renovate the sports venue at IP Estate in Central Delhi.

Taking serious note of the delay in CWG project of national importance where gymnastic, wrestling and cycling games are proposed, the Commission members in a recent meeting, however, refused to approve the layout plan of the project citing inconsistency in it.

The proposal was first considered by the panel in its meeting in November last year when the proponent were asked to submit the revised scheme for renovation and upgradation by next month but the officials have submitted it in November this year.

Holding back the file, the Commission observed that there should be consistency with respect to levels, drainage and landscape development in drawings and model.

It also suggested the PWD to improve "landscape by emphasizing the sweep of the pedestrian spine rather than the rotary."

Delhi can deliver the best ever CWG, says CoCom member

The early dilly-dallying notwithstanding, Delhi has made remarkable progress of late and has the potential to deliver the best ever Commonwealth Games next year, according to key CGF Coordination Committee (CoCom) member Perry Crosswhite.

Crosswhite was part of the Commonwealth Games Federation's CoCom which recently took stock of Delhi's progress and the CEO of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association sounded thoroughly impressed.

"The jury is still out but given the rapid progress that the organisers are making, the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi have the potential to be the best Games ever," he said.

Crosswhite said Delhi was slow to react but once they realised that time was of essence, significant progress was made in very little time.

"We have had concerns on occasions this year in regards to the organising committee's ability to meet deadlines and requirements. However, as 2009 draws to a close I am buoyed by the progress shown in the last couple of months.

After meeting with the CGF in October, organisers have appointed a number of international experts including village operations expert John Lade, event manager Peter Stewart and technology specialist Brian Norse. They all have significant experience in major games such as the Sydney Olympics and Melbourne Commonwealth Games," Crosswhite was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Telegraph'.

The Organising Committee were lax in their approach to the Games' preparation which drew flak from CGF top brass but once the Government of India took charge, progress has been fast-tracked.

Crosswhite said the government's involvement augured well for the Games.

"It's also pleasing to see that the Indian government has become more involved. They fully understand that the Games need to be a success for their country, their people and their standing on the international stage," he said.

After the three-day stock-taking, CoCom chairman Austin Sealy also patted the organisers for pulling up their socks.

"There has been noticeable progress over the last two months. However, with only nine months remaining, the intensity must continue," Sealy said.

Miley and Carlin ready to Duel

JAZ CARLIN admits she will be up against it at the British Gas Duel in the Pool this weekend – but has vowed to use her Manchester experience as a dress rehearsal for bigger challenges in 2010.

The 19-year-old former Swindon Tigershark was initially overlooked when the British Gas Swimming Team contingent was named in the European squad set to face America.

However, after Olympic and world medallist Jo Jackson was forced to withdraw from the now biannual event in Manchester – dubbed the Ryder Cup of swimming – through illness, Carlin’s services were immediately called upon.

Carlin shot to prominence at the Rome World Championships this summer taking 4x200m freestyle relay bronze alongside Jackson, double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington and Caitlin McClatchey.

And despite the Duel in the Pool being swum over 25m instead of Carlin’s preferred 50m distance, she insists she will be looking at the bigger picture in Manchester and next year’s European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

“Hopefully the Duel in the Pool will prepare me for the competitions I’ve got next year and give me some more experience of competing on the big stage,” said Carlin.

“The fact that it’s a short course event isn’t going to help me though, as I must admit, my turns aren’t the best, so I’m going to have to swim faster to try and compensate.

“Turns are something that you try to work on all the time and hopefully this will help get me that little bit better, but I’m not focusing on them.

“At the moment I’m going through quite a hard patch in training in preparation for next year. I’m really excited about it as I’ll hopefully be competing at the European Championships and then the Commonwealth Games.

“If I keep improving and working as much as I am now, there’s definitely a chance I could get something. You’ve got to aim high otherwise there is no point competing.”

Carlin will join 13 other Brits, 14 Italians and eight Germans set to face a 35-strong American team at the Manchester Aquatics Centre, which also includes legendary swim star Michael Phelps.

Olympic and world champions Federica Pellegrini and Ryan Lochte have also joined Jackson in dropping out but Carlin insists the trio’s absence won’t take anything away from the occasion in the North West.

“It’s going to be an amazing experience and nothing like this has been held in England before which will make it even more special,” she added.

“I’m really excited because I’m going to be competing against some of the best swimmers in the world and the likes of Michael Phelps.

“I’ve had a great year, what with the result in the World Championships. I was really happy to come away with a medal and it was a good experience competing in a relay.

“All of my coaches are really happy with the way things are going and hopefully the competition will kick start a good year.”

Meanwhile, fresh from her European Short Course heroics in Istanbul last weekend, Swindon-born Hannah Miley will also take to the pool in Manchester.

“I have certainly grown in myself not just as an athlete by my awareness and my actual racing,” said Miley. “I am enjoying my swimming more than I ever have done and if I didn’t enjoy it I wouldn’t be doing it.”

British Gas and British Swimming. The nation’s leading energy supplier, British Gas, is the principal partner of British Swimming, supporting the sport at all levels: ‘From paddling pool to podium’.

Vijender, Paes bring joy, India struggles to host CWG

Amid the sporting world raising doubts over India's ability to organise the 2010 Commonwealth Games, champion boxer Vijender Singh and tennis star Leander Paes have shown there is much more to achieve than merely cashing in on Olympic medals.

Unlike some other Olympic medal winners who have failed to attain the standards they set for themselves, Paes and Vijender tried to improve upon their performance.

Paes won his bronze at the Atlanta Olympics 13 years ago and he is still among the top five doubles players in the world, having won two more Grand Slam titles with his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy. Vijender added to his Beijing bronze last year a world championship bronze, the first by an Indian.

Paes' estranged buddy Mahesh Bhupathi continued his sway over mixed doubles by winning the Australian Open with compatriot Sania Mirza, her first Grand Slam title. Young Yuki Bhambri joined the celebrations by winning the Junior Open at the Melbourne Park.

Curiously, playing without an injured Paes, the Indian Davis Cup team made the World Group after 11 years, ironically beating South Africa - the country they had refused to play in the Davis Cup final over three decades ago because of its apartheid policy.

The much maligned Indian football team has started making a little headway, retaining the Nehru Cup and towards the year-end winning the SAFF Cup.

The success apart, Indian sport had its share of controversies. India is still to come up with a unified hockey body, despite repeated warnings by the international federation. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as well as its Organising Committee is unable to convince the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) that it is capable of hosting the 2010 Games.

Then there was Australia's refusal to play their Davis Cup tie in Chennai citing security concerns while the Weightlifting Federation of India (WFI) was caught in a doping scandal, forcing its entire executive to quit.

The year started with a bang as Delhi teenager Bhambri beat Alexandros-Ferdinandos Georgoudas of Germany 6-3, 6-1 in the Australian Open final in January, but as the year progressed, the politics of sports hogged the limelight.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) set a 15-day deadline for India to cobble up a unified hockey body or face the consequences of losing the right to host the 2010 World Cup. Th ad hoc committee, which had been running the game in the country since the IOA superseded K.P.S. Gill-led Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), formed Hockey India (HI), buying time from FIH to hold the elections later.

On the field, the women's team triumphed at the Champions Challenge tournament in Russia and the men's team won the Azlan Shah gold and bronze at the Champions Trophy in Salta.

In tennis, India was in the news thanks to Paes, who won his 10th Grand Slam title this year. In June, Paes and Dlouhy rallied from a set down to overpower South African Wesley Moodie and Belgian Dick Norman to clinch the French Open doubles title for their first Grand Slam together in June.

In September, Paes took his second Grand Slam titles into double digits when he and Dlouhy made a remarkable comeback to beat Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles of Bahamas at the US Open men's doubles final. It was Paes' sixth men's doubles title and 10th overall in 19 final appearances.

Later in the month, Indian tennis added another feather to its cap by winning the Davis Cup play-off in Johannesburg against South Africa 4-1. Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman, who reached his first ATP final in Chennai in January, carried India on their shoulders. Yuki Bhambri too made a successful Davis Cup debut in the last inconsequential tie. It was a great win, though they were lucky to make the play-off after Australia's refusal to play them in the Asia-Oceania Group I tie in Chennai in May.

Indian soccer is no longer the butt of ridicule, though the national team took only a small step forward by standing up to international competition. The team was sent to FC Barcelona's Nou Camp Stadium to prepare for the Nehru Cup and the month-long training-cum-competition trip to the renowned Spanish Club transformed the side. The Indians retained the cup, with goalkeeper Subrata Paul emerging the hero of the 6-5 shoot-out victory over Syria.

Off the turf, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president and union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, who took over from gravely ill Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, used all his persuasive powers to not only fork out Rs.250 million from the cash-rich Indian cricket board for preparing the national team for the 2011 Asian Cup but also got Rs.100 million from the sports ministry for the under-23 team's participation in the 2010 Asian Games. The under-23 team's triumph in the recently concluded SAFF Cup is a clear sign that Indian football is on an upward curve.

While Indian sport celebrated some of the exciting moments, it received a severe jolt when CGF chief Michael Fennell shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the lack of preparedness by the 2010 Commonwealth Games organisers -- not a happy development if India is aiming to set a new benchmark in organising the biggest sporting event the country is hosting since the 1982 Asian Games.

After much haggling and nitpicking, Fennell appears satisfied and is backing India to hold the Games successfully, though he has told the Organising Committee that time is against it and it should buck up. For good measure he has decided to appoint a high-level technical review committee to monitor the progress of infrastructural work, souring the relationship between the Organising Committee (OC) and CGF. The ruffled feathers were smoothened at a meeting between Fennell and OC chief Suresh Kalmadi in London during the inauguration of the Queen's Baton Relay.

With the successful hosting of the World Badminton Championship in Hyderabad, India proved its ability to host big events successfuly. Despite the late pullout of the England team and two Austrian players leaving mid-way, due to security concerns, the tournament passed off peacefully.

Though Indian players, including star player Saina Nehwal, couldn't progress beyond the quarterfinals, they performed creditably during the year. Sania won her maiden Super Series title in the Indonesian Open badminton in Jakrata in June. India's top mixed doubles player Valiyaveetil Diju and Jwala Gutta also made it to the final of the World Super Series Masters Finals in Malaysia. The Indian pair has been making waves on the international scene since its comeback in early 2008, after a year's break.

Though the sports ministry doesn't consider Formula One as a sport, Force India's Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella created history by giving India their first-ever Formula One race point, finishing a sensational second in the Belgian Grand Prix, even as Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen overtook the Italian, who started from the pole, to win the race.

Australian official gives big thumbs up to Delhi

An Australian official says next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi have the potential to become the best ever praising the progress the organizing committee has made in the past several months.

Perry Crosswhite, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive officer, told News Ltd. newspapers on Friday that India

had made strong progress recently after early preparations on venues were stalled by disorganization.

"The jury is still out but given the rapid progress that the organizers are making, the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi have the potential to be the best games ever," Crosswhite said.

"We have had concerns on occasions this year in regards to the organizing committee's ability to meet deadlines and requirements. However as 2009 draws to a close I am buoyed by the progress shown in the last couple of months."

Crosswhite, a member of the Delhi 2010 coordination commission, said a number of specialists have been added to the committee.

"After meeting with the CGF (Commonwealth Games Federation) in October, organizers have appointed a number of international experts ... they all have significant experience in major games such as the Sydney Olympics and Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

"It's also pleasing to see that the Indian government has become more involved. They fully understand that the games need to be a success for their country, their people and their standing on the international stage."

Crosswhite's comments came at the completion of a three-day meeting in Delhi, and after a warning to games officials to maintain their efforts.

On Wednesday, Austin Sealy, chairman of the CGF coordination commission, said progress in infrastructure for the games should not disguise ongoing concerns about slow preparations and lapsed deadlines.

Sealy also visited all competition venues before issuing a statement.

"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.

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

Commonwealth Games chiefs still concerned at Delhi’s pace

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 co-ordination 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 on 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 (Organising Committee) in a difficult position and compromise final preparations and games readiness.”

India will host the event October 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 Organising 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. New Delhi won the Games over a bid from Hamilton.