Railways decision to become Delhi 2010 Lead Partner is a landmark: Kalmadi

“Railway budget has number of encouraging moves for Olympic sport in India”

Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, today hailed Minister of Railways Ms. Mamta Banerjee’s announcement during her presentation of the Railway Budget before Parliament that Railways would be the Lead Partner of the Games to be held in October this year as a major landmark.

“I congratulate Ms. Mamta Banerjee for the announcement,” Mr. Kalmadi said. “It augurs well for the Games that Railways has come on board as Lead Partner. Railways’ role in nation building and in the evolution of Olympic sport in India is well known.”

Mr. Kalmadi also welcomed the decision to launch a special train, the Commonwealth Express which will have an exhibition and travel all over India to promote the Games as well as the spirit of sportsmanship among the youth.

“I am particularly delighted by Ms. Banerjee’s announcement that Railways would recruit more sportspersons in its ranks in the coming year,” Mr. Kalmadi said. “Olympic sport in India needs such incentives for the young to be drawn towards taking up sport as a career,” he said.

The decision to establish five sports academies in Delhi, Secunderabad, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai and to install a number of astro-turf hockey pitches across the country augurs well for sport in the coming years, Mr. Kalmadi said. “With such encouragement from Railways, I am sure Olympic sport will flourish in India,” he said.