Delhi 2010 will be a huge canvas for sportspersons

A wonderful mixture of positive emotions — joy, pride and excitement laced with confidence — overwhelms me as we get closer to the Commonwealth Games. As I write, there are 200 days to go for the grand opening and we have planned an event on Sunday afternoon to mark this milestone, with dozens of leading artists painting a 200-foot canvas.

I am sure the Games will offer a majestic canvas for sportspersons from 71 nations to express themselves. Besides, it will be an opportunity for India to become more conscious of Olympic sport and participate in a big way. My excitement stems from my belief that the Commonwealth Games will be a huge turning point in India’s sporting history.

And yes, there is the feeling of satisfaction that the Chefs de Mission Seminar for leaders of the contingents from all 71 nations was conducted successfully. It gave us a good chance to share with them our levels of preparation, our plans to make the stay of their athletes most comfortable and also understand their expectations. The Chefs de Mission were completely satisfied with what they saw of the preparations for the Games, including a visit to the Maj. Dhyan Chand Stadium for the FIH World Cup.

Talking of test events, we already have completed successfully the Commonwealth Shooting Championships, the FIH Hockey World Cup, an invitational archery tournament and the Commonwealth Boxing Championship. I am sure the comfort level of athletes around the Commonwealth would have gone up, as the events were completed without any security incident.

I am glad the Commonwealth Games Federation President, Mr. Fennell, made it a point to speak about the robust security for the athletes and officials. He is convinced the Chefs de Mission would have no hesitation in telling their athletes that Delhi has made all arrangements to ensure a safe and secure Games. At the same time, we are impressing upon the security personnel the need to follow sports protocol and that the fans must enjoy the Games.

It is heartening to read reports from Australia, where Olympic and world pole vault champion Steve Hooker says he has no reason to be concerned about security, and England where Commonwealth Games England says it will send a larger contingent to Delhi 2010 than it did to Melbourne 2006.

It is all coming together —and coming together well. I know we cannot afford any slip-ups but, at the OC Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, we are working through the day and night to ensure that our plans are in place and we have the personnel to execute these plans so that the Games can become a memorable experience for one and all.

We have embraced a positive approach all along. That will remain an important part of our countenance, as we are confident that we will produce the best Games ever. Indeed, Team India, including the Governments of India and Delhi, the Commonwealth Games Federation, the Indian Olympic Association and the Organising Committee, will make it a great Games.