Sunday, January 24, 2010

Fiji’s CG fate to be known in March

The Fiji Sports of Association and National Olympic will know if Fiji is still allowed to participate in the Commonwealth Games in India by the end of March.

FASANOC has taken their case to the Court of Arbitration of sports in Switzerland after the Commonwealth Games Federation made the decision to ban Fijian athletes from taking part in the 2010 CWG.

FASANOC president Vidhya Lakhan believed they had a strong case against CWG’s decision.

“Our appeal is based on the fact that, in our view, the Commonwealth Games Federation has erred in the interpretation of and application of its own constitution,” he said.

The CWG constitution clearly states that “all competitors in the CWG must be citizens or subjects of the Commonwealth country that enters them.”

“It has been confirmed to us by the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat that, even though Fiji is fully suspended, it is still a member of the Commonwealth. If this is the case then Fijian athletes, in our view, can participate in the Delhi Games,” Lakhan said.

FASANOC has opted for a three member tribunal to sort their case – a QC from New Zealand will act for FASANOC, the CWG is expected to nominate a candidate CAS will appoint a third member, who Lakhan believes will be the Chairperson.

“We have requested they make their decision known by the end of March because we have athletes still training, hoping to participate. We want to know now before athletes are sent overseas for international exposure,” Lakhan added.

Commonwealth Games to be green

To achieve “zero carbon footprint”, the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games-2010 will be holding various awareness campaigns in the run-up to the mega sporting event in the Capital this October. OCCG is trying hard to the keep carbon footprint at its lowest for the Games and set up the benchmark for future sporting events in the country.

At a conference-cum-exhibition “Brand: CWG Delhi-2010” organised by ASSOCHAM here this past Friday, OCCG reiterated its commitment of reducing the carbon footprint and setting the benchmark for future sporting events. “The Organising Committee is funding new public awareness campaigns and exploring synergies in these areas with sponsors through some events like ‘sustainable transport day’, ‘cleaner Delhi drive’, ‘water conservation day’ and ‘World Environment Day’” said T.S. Darbari, Joint Director-General of Commonwealth Games Delhi-2010.

Mr. Darbari also apprised the corporate representatives at the seminar of the significant marketing and sponsorship opportunities that the largest sporting extravaganza in the country presented. “The Commonwealth Games have undoubtedly asserted India’s global presence and brought to the forefront the country’s emergence as a sporting, political and economic giant,” he added.

OCCG Chairman and MP Suresh Kalmadi said: “The Commonwealth Games in Delhi would be the best ever ‘green games’ by incorporating sustainability as a key feature of the Games. The organising committee is aware of the large environment footprint of the Games and is taking proactive strides towards mitigating such impacts.”
Planting trees

Nobel laureate Dr. R. K. Pachauri said his organisation The Energy Resources Institute was keen to participate with the Organising Committee to ensure that the Games are green. He recommended planting trees along railway tracks, developing bio-walls in all competition venues and converting the dormant Safdarjung airport into a city forest.

New sanitation plan for the Games in the offing

‘Deep collection system bins to be installed; rag pickers, stray dogs to be kept away’
‘Safai karamcharis to wear an apron and cap during duty hours’

A comprehensive plan has been drawn up to ensure fool-proof sanitation arrangements during the upcoming Commonwealth Games under which a new collection system, use of better bins and wearing of uniforms by the staff would be ensured.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting called by Delhi Urban Development and Finance Minister A.K. Walia this past week.

As per the approved action plan, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will be responsible for collecting waste from different sites and for bringing and putting the collected waste packed in different bags into the bins installed by it.

The civic body would also be responsible for undertaking sweeping of the area inside and around the venue sites and premises. It will collect waste from bins and transport it to the processing or dumping facility late at night.

Dr. Walia said the system would cover the 26 competition venues, training venues and other non-competition venues.

A unique aspect of the collection mechanism would be that the MCD will install “deep collection system” bins which will be partially above and partially below the ground level. The waste would be kept away from rag-pickers, stray dogs and cattle and these waste bins will be cleared mechanically through cranes.

With a large number of tourists, including international visitors, expected to stay in guest houses situated in the City and Sadar Paharganj zones, the Minister said it has also been decided that 68 deep collection system bins would be installed at 29 different locations in City and Sadar Paharganj zones.

The action plan has also spelt out measures for improving the looks and conduct of the sanitation staff. In order to develop a sense of duty and responsibility among the “safai karamcharis”, it has been decided that they would wear an apron and cap during their duty hours. In all, 52,000 sets of apron and cap would be purchased.

Dr. Walia said the MCD has also been told to intensify its mechanical sweeping process. The civic body would hire mechanical sweepers for the roads. In all, 31 major roads have been identified for the purpose.

The meeting was also informed that the MCD was already going door to door to collect municipal solid waste in Civil Lines, Rohini, Vasant Kunj and Dwarka zones.

‘Tender norms flouted for Games tableau’

Senior BJP leader and former Sports Minister Vijay Goel has charged that the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee had flouted the norms for tender for the Republic Day Parade tableau.

He also sought a probe into the high cost of nearly Rs.1 crore of the tableau.

Addressing a press conference here over the weekend, Mr. Goel alleged that the norms were issued in June 2009 and four companies had submitted tenders and the work allotment was issued to an experienced Noida-based company which had tendered on July 29, 2009. “The company was asked to go ahead and contact the Ministry of Defence and Sports and it has 28 years experience of making tableaux,” he added.

When the company contacted the two Ministries, it got no response and was later told that the work had been allotted to some other company. This, Mr. Goel said, despite the Noida company being made to submit four models between July and November 2009 by the Organising Committee. Mr. Goel said the new company, which did not have the requisite experience, had been given the work arbitrarily by the Organising Committee and “in all likelihood, the new company has copied either of the three model plans submitted by the Noida-based company”.

Gill opens Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium

Sports Minister M.S.Gill Sunday opened the revamped Major Dhyan Chand National stadium, the first Commonwealth Games venue to be finished, and said other venues for the October mega event will be completed on time.

The remodelled stadium, which is scheduled to host the hockey World Cup Feb 28-March 13, is the first among the Commonwealth Games venues to be opened.

The stadium, revamped at a cost of Rs.262 crore, is spread over 36 acres, has three synthetic pitches, two conforming to international standards and the third a practice pitch. New polygrass turf has been laid on all the pitches which are equipped with new sprinkler systems.

The stadium has a sitting capacity of about 16,200 spectators. The second pitch outside the main arena has 900 permanent seats and a provision for 1,600 temporary seats.

"The facilities in the stadium are state-of-the-art. So much work has been done in the stadium that you can say it is almost new. It is one of the best hockey stadiums in the world," Gill said.

The stadium was originally built in 1933 as an amphitheatre. It was renovated for first Asian Games held in 1951 and then for the 1982 Asian Games.

"The stadium has a rich legacy. It is synonymous with Indian hockey. It brings back memories of my childhood when I came here with my father from Meerut during the first Asian Games to see India play in the football finals. I remember Mewalal scoring a bicycle kick goal. Today, I recall those nostalgic moments," Gill said.

Gill said the stadium could be completed on time because of the hard work of the engineers and the 2000 workers.

"When I first visited the stadium last year, it was in a mess with construction work going on and I wondered whether it could be completed on time. But the CPWD engineers, Sports Authority of India officials gave me assurance that it will be done on time."

"It could be possible because of them and more importantly the 2000 people, who come from all over the counrty, and have worked day and night in this cold, to complete the work in one year," Gill said amid loud applause from the guests and the workers.

"We got the hosting rights of the Commonwealth Games in 2003. I do not know what happened in five years, but since I came in 2008, I have visited the sites regularly. I have sat with the officials and made sure that the work is completed."

"I can assure you that with the opening of this stadium, we have made a beginning and now you will see the venues will be completed one after another. Yes, we could have finished the work one year in advance, like they are doing in London, to get the facilities tested, but at least we can ensure that the venues will come up well before the Commonwealth Games."

Gill used the opportunity to take a dig at the national sports federations.

"If you don't deserve to be there, then you should voluntarily and happily step aside," Gill said while talking about the Weightlifting Federation of India (WFI) that has been newly elected following the doping mess.

Matt looks for fast start to games year

MATT Davies sprinted his way to the World Athletics Championships last year.

Tomorrow he can sprint his name into the record books should he overcome a powerful field and clinch back-to-back Gold Coast Gifts.

A member of the Australian 4x100m relay squad at the Berlin world championships, Davies was granted a wildcard into tomorrow's event and his battle with fellow Commonwealth Games hopeful Aaron Stubbs promises to be a mouth-watering affair.

Davies finished third in last year's Stawell Gift, behind champion Stubbs, but that will count for little when they step back out on to the grass today.

"It's a harder ask this year but I'll be there giving it a crack," said Davies.

Along with the World Championships and his strong effort at Stawell, Davies ran strongly for the Aussies at the Great North City Games, a challenge against great rivals England.

He took third in the 60m street race, a feat he matched in the 150m event at the same meet.

While emulating his 2009 season is going to be tough, should Davies earn a place at the Commonwealth Games in his pet 100m and 200m events it would be one of his greatest honours, he said yesterday.

"I had a ripper year last year, it's hard to match but since I got back from world champs we have addressed a few things," said Davies.

"I feel like I've got a bit more speed and I feel like I have a few more metres in me.

"Obviously I want to back it up and make the relay team again, but if I can make a berth in both the 100m and 200m that would be awesome.

"The Commonwealth Games is always a pretty special thing for Australians and there are a lot of young guys coming through so it's going to be pretty competitive to get back in the team."

While Davies and Stubbs will start favourites, a number of other runners should not be forgotten.

Bundaberg's Michael Gordon, third in the Coomera New Years Eve Gift, should feature in the final along with 2008 victor, Canberra's John Jakeman and Shane Ezard.

In the women's field, Brisbane's leading hurdler Virginia Trad and promising Rockhampton runner Sarah Busby head the field.

Ashmore's Nicole Dart, and beach sprinters Teniele Richards, Emma Rynne, Michele Shields and veteran Cate Donaldson head the Gold Coast contingent.

Kalmadi: I've no time for HI job

IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi said that he simply doesn't have the time or interest for the Hockey India job.

Rubbishing former captain Pargat Singh's allegation that he is hell bent on becoming the Hockey India president, Kalmadi on Sunday said he is so pre-occupied with this year's Commonwealth Games that he simply doesn't have the time or interest for the job.

Pargat pans 'sports mafia' Kalmadi

"I am the President of the Indian Olympic Association and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games, which keeps me fully occupied. I have no time or interest in taking over hockey," Kalmadi said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, Pargat lashed out at Kalmadi, calling him a "Sports Mafia" and claiming his men had tried to negotiate an under-table deal with Hockey Punjab, of which Pargat is the secretary, to grant them affiliation provided they supported Kalmadi for the HI top job.

Kalmadi dismissed the claim and said, "I have a national duty to perform -- to ensure that the Commonwealth Games are conducted successfully.

"I'm also responsible for the smooth conduct of the upcoming Hockey World Cup being staged by IOA and FIH of which I'm the joint chairperson of the Governing Board," Kalmadi added.

Rubbishing allegations of dilly-dallying with Punjab's affiliation, Kalmadi said, "I understand that Hockey Punjab was given affiliation within one day after submission of all their documents.

Centre preparing security of four major sports events in 2010

The Centre is gearing up all its men and machines to provide foolproof security to four major sporting events to be held in India this
year amid reports that terrorist groups are sharpening their claws to strike the country.

The national capital will be hosting three major international events, including the Commonwealth Games, while Indian Premier League will spread across different parts of the country.

"It will be a big challenge for us to make the events incident-free. We are leaving no stone unturned and preparing in advance," a Home Ministry official said.

The Hockey World Cup will see participation by 10 countries and around 400 players and delegates. It will be held here between February 28 and March 13.

The Commonwealth Shooting Championship will be held between February 17 and 28 in which 1,000 athletes and officials from 30 countries will try their luck.

"There have been questions from the participating nations regarding security and we allayed all their fears and assured that that there will be no compromise on the security of the guests," the official said.

The security establishment is particularly concerned over the IPL cricket matches, to be held between March 13 and April 25, and Commonwealth Games - to be held between October 3 and 14.

The IPL matches are huge congregation of international cricket stars, Bollywood personalities, huge crowd, media and spectators making them sitting duck for the terrorists.

The case is similar for the Commonwealth Games where 9,000 athletes from 71 countries besides 100,000 international spectators will pour in the national capital from different parts of the country.

Though Home Secretary G K Pillai had said that there was no specific threat to the Games, he assured the participating nations that the Indian security establishment was fully capable to provide all types of safety.

A three-tier security ring will be thrown across each of the 13 competition venues for the Commonwealth Games and special attention was being given to prevent "Lahore-type" attacks on the athletes who will be taken from the Games Village to the venues in dedicated lanes with helicopters providing air surveillance.

In Pakistan, militants attacked Sri Lankan cricketers at Lahore during their tour of the country on March 3, 2009.

To ensure fleet security, each of the 574 vehicles used for ferrying athletes across the city, will have to undergo a mandatory anti-sabotage clearance every morning before athletes board it.

According to the latest intelligence report, Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba has acquired more than 50 para-gliding equipment from Europe, setting off alarm bells in the government that these could be used to carry out air-borne suicide attacks in the country.

"We hope that the events will pass off peacefully," the official added.

‘They stole my design’

As if it wasn’t enough that for the fourth year in a row, the Republic Day event’s host, Delhi, does not have a tableau in tomorrow’s parade, the city’s other pride — Commonwealth Games — has also got into a tableaux controversy. A Delhi based Tableaux designer Pralay Kumar Mukherjee has alleged that the Commonwealth Games (CWG) jhanki, set to be on Rajpath tomorrow, is a copy of his design. “I had submitted three models while pitching for the CWG tableau. They have now used a mixture of those designs on their own and turned it into a tableau costing Rs 1 crore,” says Mukherjee who has now approached the high court.

Lalit Bhanot, Games organising committee secretary-general, denied, “It is wrong to say that any designs were copied. Mukhejee submitted the designs but they were not selected by the defence ministry, which approves the tableaux designs. Also, the tableau cost is nowhere near one crore.”

With the Delhi tableau missing altogether and now CWG tableau marred by controversies, the issue is not going down well with Delhiites, eagerly awaiting the Republic Day parade.

Aniniditi Sharma, a student of Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies says, “It is sad that the Capital does not have its own jhanki at the Republic Day parade this year again. Delhi needs to buck up.”

Tarun Gupta, an IT Professional says, “First Delhi goes missing, and now the Commonwealth Games jhanki turns out to be a copycat... why are we hell bent on insulting our pride?’

Hundreds go to Delhi on public purse

A delegation of 500 people, including dozens of public officials, is to be sent to India at taxpayers’ expense for the closing ceremony of this year’s Commonwealth Games.

The lord and lady provost of Glasgow will be joined by council officials and representatives from VisitScotland, SportScotland, Strathclyde police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue. Edinburgh and North Lanarkshire councils and the British Council are also planning to send representatives.

Glasgow 2014, the body organising the games in four year’s time, plans to fly 400 performers to Delhi to take part in an eight-minute “cultural showcase” at the end of the ceremony. The event will end with Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow city council, receiving the Commonwealth flag.

Glasgow 2014 admitted last week that it has yet to calculate the cost of the trip. Opposition politicians said public-sector involvement in preparations for the games was excessive.

“Given concerns already raised about cost overruns in the Commonwealth Games project, I would hope we are in rigorous control of expenditure and these trips are absolutely essential,” said Murdo Fraser, deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

Bill Aitken, the Conservative MSP for Glasgow, said: “I find it deeply disturbing that Glasgow 2014 did not prepare a budget before agreeing to send such a large number of people, which in itself seems to be excessive.”

The cost to Scotland of staging the Commonwealth Games rose last year from £373m to £454m because of an increase in broadcasting and staffing costs.

Glasgow 2014 has hired Unspun, a London-based consultancy firm, to create the show by amateur performers.

Organisers intend to hire a secret venue in Scotland to stage three weeks of dress rehearsals before flying the performers to Delhi, where they will stay for about three days.

A nationwide campaign will be launched next month to find volunteers to take part in the show following consultation with Creative Scotland and a number of arts bodies. Volunteers will be asked to contribute to the cost of the trip by fundraising and sponsorship.

Glasgow 2014 has defended the handover plans, arguing that the city would be brought to the world’s attention. “The flag handover ceremony at the end of the closing ceremony in Delhi is an important moment as it marks the start of the four-year cycle to our Games,” said a spokesman.

A spokesman for VisitScotland said: “The three members of staff are the same staff who would have been going to India for a trade mission and it makes absolute sense to dovetail our activity.”

Fiona Taylor, assistant chief constable of Strathclyde police, said: “Officers from Strathclyde will be taking part in the observer programme at the Delhi 2010 games. They will have behind the scenes access to their security operation and will bring that valuable learning back.”

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said it would send at least one person to Delhi to examine issues that might affect the games in Glasgow.

A Scottish government spokesman said it had yet to decide whether ministers or officials would attend.

For $60, avail Visa-on-Arrival scheme

With the aim of attracting more tourists during the Commonwealth Games, government has decided to charge a fee of $ 60 per person for the grant of Visa-on-Arrival scheme.

The scheme has been extended to five countries, Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore, on a pilot basis for a year beginning January.

"Though we have sought more countries to be included in the scheme, these five countries are being granted the Visa-on-Arrival facility as a pilot project. Depending upon the response, more countries are likely to be included later on," a senior official of the Tourism Ministry said.

While 92,908 Singaporeans visited India in 2007, the number increased to 1,00,351 in 2008. From New Zealand 30,266 tourists came in 2008 against 27,498 in 2007.

Arrivals from Japan also registered a growth in the last two years. India received 1,50,732 Japanese tourists in 2008 against 1,45,538 in the previous year.

However, the arrival from Finland saw a decline in 2008. While 34,364 visited the country in 2007, the number decreased to 30,889 in 2008. "We expect a good response during the Commonwealth Games here in October as a large number of visitors are expected to come from these countries, specifically from Singapore and New Zealand, which are Commonwealth countries," the official said.

Tourists from these countries can avail the scheme for a maximum of 30 days with single entry facility by the Immigration Office at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata airports, as per the Visa-on-Arrival guidelines finalised by the government.

Tourists shall be allowed entry for a maximum of two times in a calendar year with a minimum gap of two months between each visit under the scheme.

The Tourism Ministry has launched the Visit India Year 2009 scheme in overseas markets with effect from April 2009 till March 2010 whereby attractive incentives are being offered by airlines, hotels, and tour operators to tourists.

The year 2009 was not good for the sector as arrival was affected due to several reasons including the Mumbai terror attack, swine flu and travel advisories issued by many countries during this period.

We have undertaken a series of promotional overseas campaign specially in the Commonwealth countries and we are hopeful that foreign tourist arrivals will gain momentum in the coming months and also during the Games in Delhi, the official added.

Centre preparing security of four major sports events in 2010

The Centre is gearing up all its men and machines to provide foolproof security to four major sporting events to be held in India this

year amid reports that terrorist groups are sharpening their claws to strike the country.

The national capital will be hosting three major international events, including the Commonwealth Games, while Indian Premier League will spread across different parts of the country.

"It will be a big challenge for us to make the events incident-free. We are leaving no stone unturned and preparing in advance," a Home Ministry official said.

The Hockey World Cup will see participation by 10 countries and around 400 players and delegates. It will be held here between February 28 and March 13.

The Commonwealth Shooting Championship will be held between February 17 and 28 in which 1,000 athletes and officials from 30 countries will try their luck.

"There have been questions from the participating nations regarding security and we allayed all their fears and assured that that there will be no compromise on the security of the guests," the official said.

The security establishment is particularly concerned over the IPL cricket matches, to be held between March 13 and April 25, and Commonwealth Games - to be held between October 3 and 14.

The IPL matches are huge congregation of international cricket stars, Bollywood personalities, huge crowd, media and spectators making them sitting duck for the terrorists.

The case is similar for the Commonwealth Games where 9,000 athletes from 71 countries besides 100,000 international spectators will pour in the national capital from different parts of the country.

Though Home Secretary G K Pillai had said that there was no specific threat to the Games, he assured the participating nations that the Indian security establishment was fully capable to provide all types of safety.

A three-tier security ring will be thrown across each of the 13 competition venues for the Commonwealth Games and special attention was being given to prevent "Lahore-type" attacks on the athletes who will be taken from the Games Village to the venues in dedicated lanes with helicopters providing air surveillance.

In Pakistan, militants attacked Sri Lankan cricketers at Lahore during their tour of the country on March 3, 2009.

To ensure fleet security, each of the 574 vehicles used for ferrying athletes across the city, will have to undergo a mandatory anti-sabotage clearance every morning before athletes board it.

According to the latest intelligence report, Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba has acquired more than 50 para-gliding equipment from Europe, setting off alarm bells in the government that these could be used to carry out air-borne suicide attacks in the country.

"We hope that the events will pass off peacefully," the official added.
 


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