Head to Delhi for the Hand-over

A ONCE-in-a-lifetime, all-expenses paid trip to the closing ceremony of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games is available for three lucky Angus residents, courtesy of the Glasgow 2014 games committee.
At the closing ceremony of the Delhi games on October 14 a 400-strong cast from across Scotland will take part in a mass dance routine to mark the formal handover of the games to Glasgow.

The 2014 organising committee has offered every local authority in Scotland three fully funded places within this mass cast, who will be performing for the 65,000 crowd in the spectacular Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and a global television audience of one billion.

Angus Council's vice-convener of neighbourhood services Colin Brown said: "Angus is directly involved in the 2014 games, with part of the shooting contest taking place at Barry Buddon, so it would be wonderful to have Angus represented at the actual ceremony which hands the games over to Scotland.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for three local people to represent their county and Scotland at what promises to be one of the biggest shows on earth."

The 2014 organisers hope that people who regularly make a contribution to their local community through volunteering - in particular in one of the 17 sports within the Glasgow 2014 programme - will take the chance to apply for one of the coveted places.

The 17 Commonwealth Games sports are aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, judo, lawn bowls, netball, rugby 7s, shooting, squash, table tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling.

A good basic level of physical fitness but no previous dance experience is required as performance level will be achievable from rehearsals. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

* be 18 years or over on June 10, 2010 (or 10 October, 2010, if you would be able to stay at home for the rehearsals in Glasgow).

* have a good basic level of physical fitness, self-motivated and enthusiastic.

* be able to commit to the following rehearsal schedule in Glasgow: 10 -11 June and 20 September - 8 October, 2010.

* be able to commit to the performance schedule in Delhi of 12 - 17 October 2010.

* have no medical conditions preventing exercise, physical exertion, air travel, travel vaccinations and periods in hot environments.

* consent to all advice and necessary requirements as dictated by the project doctor, e.g., travel vaccinations and medical and emergency attention in Delhi.

* hold a full UK or other passport allowing travel to India, valid for at least six months beyond October 16, 2010 (up to April 16, 2011).

* consent to necessary security and background checks.

* and, most importantly, have pride, passion, dedication and a willingness to learn.

More information and application forms are available online at http://www.angus.gov.uk/delhi2010games. Completed applications must be received by Friday, April 23, when the names of three eligible applicants will be drawn from a hat.