Australia announce diving team for Common Wealth Games

Australia announced a 12 member diving team bound for 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The team led by Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham is set to prove its dominance in the medal tally at Delhi games.

Mitcham’s performance in the Commonwealth Games diving trials held in Perth earlier this week qualified him for four events, despite him confessing injury concerns about his heavy workload.

He will compete in the 1m springboard, 10m platform, 3m springboard synchro and 10m platform synchro events at the Commonwealth Games in October.

(Commonwealth Games diving events and schedule)

"I was very happy with my form throughout these trials," Mitcham said.

"I was a bit nervous going into the trials but finished strongly yesterday in my favourite 10m platform event and I’m very happy to be in the team."

Mitcham shot to prominence with his breakout performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when his last dive gave him a near-perfect score to win gold and has since been competing in gruelling international competition as he targets a similar result at the 2012 London Olympics.

Mitcham will be joined by 11 other divers, including reigning Commonwealth Games champions Sharleen Stratton and Briony Cole who will be chasing back-to-back gold medals in the 3m springboard synchro event in Delhi.

Alexandra Croak was added to the squad despite pulling out from the trials with a back injury and will have to undergo a fitness test to see if she can compete.

Croak, who has the unique distinction of being the only Australian to medal in two different sports at the Commonwealth Games – gymnastics and diving – will join Beijing Olympic silver medalist Melissa Wu in the 10m platform synchro event.

Victorian James O’Connor, 15, is the youngest member of the team and will make his Commonwealth Games debut with Anabelle Smith (VIC), Olivia Wright (NSW), Jaele Patrick (VIC), Ethan Warren (QLD) and Grant Nel (VIC).

Diving Australia High Performance Manager Graeme Rose said it was expected the current Australian diving team would continue the tradition of winning high number of medals at Commonwealth Games.

"Australia will face tough opposition from Canada, England and Malaysia, however this team is one of our strongest teams to represent Australia at Commonwealth Games," he said.

"The team is a nice blend of experience and youth and we’re expecting to do quite well."

Radio Sports NZ not to send team to Delhi

New Zealand's radio rights holder for the Commonwealth Games, Radio Sport, plans to commentate from broadcast booths in Auckland, not from trackside or poolside in Delhi.

The station's programme director, Chris Gregory, is adamant that the decision not to send a full team to India, but instead cover events from a studio 12,500km away, won't affect listeners.

The station will have only two staff reporters, to file news stories, in India during the Games in October.

But Gregory denied the station was "forced" into reduced coverage, saying: "We haven't been forced into anything. It's a big part of our programme for this year, but, like any business, we have got to be prudent on how we approach it and take on wider concerns about security and the event itself."

However, Gregory confirmed: "We've got commentary teams calling from audio-visual feeds. I don't think it does [reduce the listeners' experience], the perception that someone is not there.

"The reality is we are using people on the ground, and we are not compromised in terms of commentary because we will have the best commentators in their specialist field to cover the events, whether they are there or not. We comment on a lot of stuff on a day-to-day basis when we are not there, it is the nature of radio – we don't have to verify where we are."

Gregory said the station had previously covered netball finals and rugby league tests remotely, but said it had sent bigger teams to the Commonwealth Games in the past. The Sunday Star-Times understands the station has decided only breakfast newsreader Rikki Swannell and reporter Brenton Vannisselroy will be sent to Delhi.

Sky Sport boss Kevin Cameron did not return calls to discuss how his network, which holds the television rights, would cover the event.

21 countries to participate in wresting meet in Delhi

New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Sports Complex will play host to senior Asian freestyle, Greco Roman style and the female wrestling championships from May 12 to 16.The event is being seen as a test case for the wrestling competition of the October 2010 Commonwealth Games.

It is one of the major tournaments of FILA in which top wrestlers from 21 countries will compete for top honors with each other.

"This is a major tournament of FILA; it is also opted as a test event for the Commonwealth Games 2010. Asia is a very strong continent in wrestling. In fact, 90 percent of medals in Olympics in wrestling come from Europe and Asia. We have excellent participants from 21 countries," said G.S Mander, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India.

The 21 countries include all major wrestling nations like Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, Korea, China and Mongolia.

Several of the participants are medal winners of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and 2009 Senior World Wrestling Championship held in Denmark.

The competition will be held daily in the afternoon with preliminary rounds from 2:00 to 5:00 PM and medal rounds to decide Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medal winners from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

Freestyle wrestling competitions will be held on May 12 and 13, while the female wrestling competition will take place on May 14. The Greco-Roman style competition will be held on May 15 and 16.

15,000 radio cabs for Delhi

It will be a smooth ride for tourists and citizens during the Commonwealth Games in Delhi as the government has estimated that around 15,000 radio taxis will be on the roads by October.

"There is no hurdle to obtain licences (to operate radio taxis). Anyone who satisfies the criteria can get it without difficulty.

We are encouraging people to travel by buses and radio cabs instead of using personal vehicles," transport minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said. The cabs will be in operation before the Games and will offer a safe mode of transport, he added.
Earlier, chief minister Sheila Dikshit flagged off a new radio taxi service 'YO Cabs'.

Kenya to send 250 athletes to CWG

Kenya will send a team of 250 athletes and officials to this year’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Indiain spite of the security concerns.

National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) chairman Kipchoge Keino ruled out withdrawing the Kenyan team from the competition saying they are satisfied with the organization efforts to get the situation under control.

This follows terror threats that Delhi remains a possible terror target during the games.

Keino announced several measures including bringing on board Kenyan policemen to boost the security of the team in India.

"We are taking along several police and intelligence officers to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games in October," said Keino.

At the same time, Keino announced the appointment of a Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police Jonathan Koskei, as the games Chief de Mission because of his profession.

"We are not taking anything for granted.

"We have appointed Koskei because he has knowledge and well placed to advise us on issues of security and of course his involvement in sports.

"I believe we will be well secured as a team," said Keino.

Several intelligence and police officers will also be included in the large Kenyan contingent to the games.

Stephen Soi, who will be the games executive officer and a former police officer, said security, starts with individual athletes and they will sensitize them on need to maintain limited movements while in India.

"No one will be allowed to walk out of the athletes’ village alone or without permission.

"We are serious about the security because we do not want the terrorists to win in this war against a noble event," said Keino.

Kenya will send a large contingent of over 250 athletes and officials and Soi confirmed it will be a major challenge to restrict their movement and provide total security to them.

Keino said between six and ten officers will be allowed to accompany the team.

More than 8,000 athletes from 71 nations are due to compete in India.

"But we are having contacts in Delhi.

"From the Kenyan High commission to individual security agents, we have established links with the security officials in India which we will use to advise us on the situation time and again," said Soi.

Delhi Fire Service to go hi-tech

Come October and the Delhi Fire Service personnel will sport an orange uniform instead of the traditional 'khaki' outfit.

Besides the new dress code, the DFS will go hi-tech with the acquisition of an array of state-of-the-art equipment, including tetra communication system, automatic vehicle locating system and rapid response vehicles before the start of the Commonwealth Games in October.

"We will be wearing a new orange uniform to have a distinct identity of fire fighting personnel during the Commonwealth Games," Delhi Fire Service Director R C Sharma said. The new dress will have inherent flame retardant fabrics and a luminous strip.

DFS will also be acquiring 20 'Rapid Response Vehicles', which include ten fast moving cars equipped with communication system, cutting tools, light generation machine and water mist extinguishers and modern tools to fight fire hazards in stadia and Games village.

The fire fighting unit will be equipped with automatic vehicle locating system (AVLS) and tetra communication system for having a smooth and effective communication network during the Games.

For the first time, fire brigade headquarters will have GPS-based AVLS to trace fire engines on the web. Four large screens will be set up at the headquarters to monitor the movement of fire engines across the city, Sharma said.

DFS is also acquiring ten motorcycles equipped with the communication system and fire fighting equipment aimed at providing swift response during emergency situations. These vehicles can be quickly driven through crowded areas and narrow lanes and can reach the sites faster in case of fire mishaps, Sharma said.

The Delhi Fire Service personnel will also be provided with 80 handsets of tetra communication system. "The system was used during Melbourne and Beijing Games and we will be using it during the Games," Sharma said.

Gearing up for the biggest sporting extravaganza, the Fire Service will be deploying a total of 650 personnel, 60 fire engines and three Hazmat vehicles at various venues during the event.

Hazmat vehicles are procured from Holland for dealing with natural calamity and chemical incidents. These special vehicles are equipped with cutting and lifting tools, special protective chemical suits, weather and wind speed monitoring system among others. There will also be a comprehensive training programme for Games volunteers to make them aware of the basic fire fighting exercise.

Delhi to get butterfly park

Tourists and officials visiting the Capital during the Commonwealth Games this October can look forward to a visual delight. A butterfly conservatory at the Yamuna Bio Diversity Park, with exotic species of butterflies and dragonflies, is being developed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi University.

Sprawled across two acres, the conservatory will rear butterflies in the open unlike other conservatories that rear them artificially in an enclosed area. The park has 45 species of butterflies and 30 species of dragonflies.

"We have created all the natural factors in the conservatory to let butterflies complete their life cycle right from laying eggs till they emerge from their cocoons," said Faiyaz Khudsar, the scientist in charge of the bio diversity park.

The conservatory will be open to the Commonwealth Games officials and tourists during the October event.

"The conservatory will make it a different experience altogether. We are planning to keep it open on weekends during the Games," Khudsar added.

He said it took three-and-a-half years to develop the conservatory, adding that it was not enough to plant any flowering plant while creating a butterfly garden.

According to Khudsar, butterflies lay eggs on specific host plants because their caterpillars feed only on those. "We have planted 150 species of host plants. A large number of eggs have been laid," he added.

For instance, plain tiger butterflies lay their eggs on calotropis plants, peacock pensy and blue pensy butterflies on rualiea, salmon Arab on miswak, lemon butterfly on citrus plants and the pioneer butterfly on Cassia.

The conservatory is circular. In the outer circle, host plants are planted so that butterflies are attracted to them and start laying eggs there. There are two water bodies for the butterflies, too.

"Butterflies need moisture to help them grow soon," said Khudsar.

The use of chemical pesticides in plants keeps butterflies away. So only organic manures and ecological pest management has been used. "There are several parks where such fertilisers are used and so very few butterflies go there," said Mohammad Faisal, entomologist at the park.

A normal butterfly cycle lasts from 10 to 22 days. Trees such as Arjuna, Lasora, Jamuna have been planted. "Shading is also an important component for butterfly cultivation.

In enclosed conservatories, shading is done through the roof, here we have used trees," said Faisal.

Numerous flowering plants have been planted to provide nectar for the insects.

Thirty species of dragonflies are also thriving in the butterfly conservatory. Adequate water bodies have been created for it.

"A one-kilometre stretch along the Yamuna can reveal at least two to three species of dragonflies, but in the small water bodies at the park, we have 30 species. This has been possible because of the quality of the water," said Khudsar.

Dragonflies feed on mosquitoes and mosquito larvae.

The Yamuna Biodiversity Park was opened seven years ago. It is slated to act as a heritage site and an ideal alternative habitat for migratory and resident bird species.

Ultra pure water for 2010 Commonwealth Games

Nearly 8,000 athletes and officials from 71 Common Wealth Games Associations will be provided with ‘ultra pure' water at the 19th Commonwealth Games (CWG) to be held in Delhi during October 3-14, 2010.

Providing pure water was one of the main conditions laid down by the Games' committee, according to Mr Rajiv Mittal, Managing Director, Va Tech Wabag, which has put up the water treatment plant. The technology used at the water treatment plant will be “unique as we have used two-layered membrane process to make ultra pure for the first time in this country for drinking water,” he told news persons.

“During the 1982 Asian Games only ordinary tap water was made available to all. However, at the CWG, treated water will be made available everywhere, including kitchen and bathrooms,” he said.

The plant will be ready for pre-commissioning in January and is expected to be handed over to the Delhi Jal Board in March. After the Games, the plant will be used to provide pure water to people settling down in the Games village. The scope of the work for VA Tech includes design, construction, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, trial run, one year defect liability and three-year operation and maintenance, he said.

Mr Mittal said the plant would have capacity to produce ‘ultra pure' one million gallon litres of water a day. The village consists of residential blocks, police station, hotels, cyber cafes, gymnasium and a community hall. Additionally, the plant would also cater to the water requirement of the Akshardham Temple.

The plant has been set up on the banks of the river Yamuna. As a back-up, the plant will also have a connection from Sonia Vihar water plant. This will act as a standby source to be utilized if and when the ground water is insufficient in quantity or of low quality.

Mr Mittal said the company was open to acquiring companies that can help VA Tech in future growth in the fields of technology, new markets and BOOT (build, own, operate and transfer) opportunities. The company has nearly Rs 300 crore in cash, and has “capacity for acquisition up to Rs 1,000 crore,” he said. “We have appointed advisors, and should do the acquisition in the next six-eight months.”

CWG archery range inaugurated

Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy today inaugurated the archery venue for the 2010 Commonwealth Games at the Yamuna Sports Complex here.

The 3,500-seater state-of-the-art stadium, which will host the preliminary rounds of the archery events during the October 3-14 Games, has been constructed over an area of 4.8 hectors at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore.

“I am happy to inaugurate this beautiful stadium, which is equipped with all kinds of international level facilities,” Reddy said after inaugurating the venue.

The curvilinear form of the aesthetically designed building will ensure an unhindered view of the proceedings at the middle from all the sides of the gallery, which also give easy accessibility to the differently-abled spectators.

“It looks good and nice and I hope all the players will enjoy their events in the venue during the prestigious Games,” Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna said after taking a round of the stadium.

“I am also sure that all the venues will be ready well in advance for the mega-event, which will be a big occasion for our country,” he added.

YSC will host the preliminary rounds of archery events from October 4-6, while the final competitions will be held at the India Gate from October 7-10.

Google to collaborate with DMRC

Google is collaborating with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to bring Delhi Metro routes to Google Transit.

Google Transit would now feature all the updated information on Delhi Metro schedules and routes.

The search engine giant spoke about this partnership: “Transit service for Delhi Metro would also be available on mobile devices, so commuters can check the latest updates to make route changes on-the-go.”

The service already works with other similar projects in the Indian market including Chennai MRTS, Kolkata Metro, Hyderabad Metro.

This service is likely to become popular during the upcoming Commonwealth Games in India where tons of foreign tourists are expected to visit the city.

Delhi Metro added: “The collaboration with Google is another step to make it even easier for the public to plan their trips with transit information on Google Maps.”

Court asks Delhi to reduce noise level around airport

The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take 'immediate measures' to check noise pollution near the airport that is affecting people at a hospital and a residential area nearby.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Mukta Gupta said: 'Some immediate measures should be taken so that residents should not suffer.'

Additional Solicitor General A.S. Chandiok said: 'We are ready with long and short-term steps that we are planning to take to control noise pollution in the airport vicinity. And if the present trend continues there is a need to create a separate airport zone so as to lessen the noise level as prevalent in other countries.'

On the last date of hearing, the court had barred Delhi International Airport Pvt Ltd (DIAL) from using two runways at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport after a nearby hospital alleged that the noise created by landing of planes disturbs its patients.

On Wednesday, DIAL requested the court to lift the ban on runways 29 and 11 as repair work has to start on runway 28.

'If we don't use runway number 29 and 11 and shut 28 then it will lead to massive chaos,' Rajiv Nayyar, counsel for DIAL said, adding that the capital has to gear up for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

However, the court did not issue any directions to that effect and asked the DGCA and DIAL to file a detailed affidavit as to how they plan to control noise pollution.

The court also asked the petitioners to file a rejoinder to the affidavit filed by the DGCA by March 10.

The Indian Spinal Injuries Centre had filed a petition, alleging that the noise created by landing aircraft, which fly at a low height of 200-300 feet, was disturbing patients.

'As a result of the thrust of the planes, patients constantly suffer from the immense noise pollution created by the planes. Sleeplessness is (experienced by them) on a regular basis. Even the doctors performing surgery have complained,' said the hospital.

The hospital said the noise created by the planes was usually between the range of 75 decibel to 94 decibel and was 'clearly beyond the stipulated standards laid down under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000'.

The court is also hearing a similar plea from residents of nearby Vasant Kunj locality, who have also complained of noise pollution.

Armoured car on offer for Delhi Commonwealth Games

A mini armoured car, designed for use in confined spaces like airports, hotels or stadiums and inspired by the trauma of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, drew admirers at an Indian arms fair Wednesday.

The battery-operated Anti-Terrorist Assault Cart (ATAC), which resembles a bullet-proof golf buggy with attitude, is built to carry two fully-armed security personnel along narrow corridors.

Its manufacturer, Metaltech Motor Bodies Pvt Ltd, said it had been designed in the wake of the Mumbai carnage in 2008, in which Islamist gunmen holed up in two luxury hotels held Indian commandos at bay for 60 hours. Seventeen security personnel lost their lives in the attacks, which left a total of 166 people dead.

The company said it was offering the prototype for trials with the sponsors of the Commonwealth Games to be held in November in New Delhi and to India's elite National Security Guards. The prototype drew applause from visitors as well as Indian military scientists attending the arms fair in the Indian capital.

The two-million rupee (S$63,199) vehicle, which weighs in at just under half a tonne, can prowl around corridors and fit into service elevators either to 'extract civilians or engage terrorists", Sehrawat said. Dotted with four firing ports, the squat, heavily armoured vehicle with bullet-proof windows can withstand grenade blasts and last for six hours on a single charge with a top speed of 25 kilometres (15 miles) an hour.

Registration mandatory for Delhi tour operators

With barely eight months left for the Commonwealth Games, Delhi government has made registration mandatory for travel and tour agents in the city to ensure safety of tourists.

"Lakhs of foreign travellers are expected to visit the capital during the mega event, and registration will streamline the travel operators," a senior Delhi government official said.

With the extravaganza drawing near, several agents have launched new deals to attract domestic and foreign travellers for sightseeing tours in Delhi and nearby states.

The government's move is aimed at cracking down on fly-by-night operators who bring a bad name to the tourism industry by cheating travellers and tourists.

"We want to encourage serious players as well as instill confidence among tourists. Hence, we will allow only license holders to carry out their business. Non-license holders will be strictly dealt with," he said.

This will also help the government access a vast database, creating an avenue for revenue and curbing malpractices.

According to the recent studies and surveys by business chamber, ASSOCHAM, around 10 million international tourists are planning to visit India during the Commonwealth Games

Hockey WC gets tax waiver

After giving tax breaks to Commonwealth Games, Delhi government has decided to waive off taxes for the Hockey World Cup to be held from February 28- March 13 at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

The government has decided to waive off all revenue collected as entertainment and luxury tax from the organisers of the tournament. This will cost the government exchequer Rs 6 crore.

Hockey India representatives had met Delhi Chief Secretary, Rakesh Mehta, earlier this month demanding waiver of entertainment tax on tickets and luxury tax on hotel rooms to be booked for delegates.

Earlier this month, the Delhi cabinet had waived off luxury tax to the tune of Rs 30 crore on hotel rooms booked by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee for athletes, delegates, sport physicians and international mediapersons.

CWG committee comes under RTI act

The Delhi High Court on Thursday said the organising committee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games and Indian Olympic Association comes within the ambit of the RTI Act.

Justice S. Ravindra Bhat passed the order on a petition filed by organising committee challenging the government’s decision to bring it under the transparency law.

The organising committee for Commonwealth Games and the Centre had been at loggerheads in the Court as the panel has challenged the government’s decision of declaring it a public authority, liable to disclose information under Right to Information Act.

The committee, which is charged with the responsibility to conduct Commonwealth Games, has contended that it is an independent and autonomous body, not liable to reveal information under the RTI Act.

The organising committee had pleaded that it did not fulfil the criteria of being declared a State under Article 12 of the Constitution and hence, it could not be declared a Public Authority under the RTI Act.

The Centre, however, opposed its contention, saying almost the whole budgetary support of about Rs 52 crore to the project was provided by the government and the committee can't take the plea that it is an independent body.

The committee had countered the government’s stand, saying the financial support given to it was a loan which is to be returned.

“No financial grant is given by the government to meet the whole or entire expenditure of the petitioner society. The monies advanced to it are on loan, returnable basis carrying interest. The financial arrangement which it has with the Centre is purely commercial,” the committee had contended.

“It has not been established or constituted as an institution of self-government or under the Constitution. It has not been created under the law made either by Parliament or State legislature,” it had further said.

No stoppages between Airport and Okhla

With the opening of the third Munirka flyover for commuters on Thursday, the road from the Okhla flyover to Indira Gandhi International Airport has become signal free.

Inaugurating the flyover, Delhi Public Works Department Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan reiterated that all the Commonwealth Games related projects would be completed within the stipulated time as constant monitoring was being done to accelerate the pace of work.

The Minister said Delhi would showcase its world-class infrastructure during the Commonwealth Games. “We are confident that the visitors during the Games would be able to carry a good impression about the city with their memorable stay,” he said.

With Outer Ring Road being the main arterial road as it caters to important residential and non-residential areas, he said a need was felt to improve the corridor starting from National Highway-8 intersection to Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, so that Outer Ring Road could become signal-free up to Okhla flyover.

The scheme for “Corridor Improvement of Outer Ring Road from IIT Gate to NH-8” was accordingly undertaken and the project comprised construction of a flyover at Africa Avenue and Aruna Asaf Ali Marg intersections; another at Vivekanand Marg, Nelson Mandela Marg and Poorvi Marg intersections; and the third flyover at Rao Tula Ram Marg and Benito Juarez Marg intersections. All the three flyovers have now been completed and opened to traffic.

Anand Vihar gets Metro

The Delhi Metro’s Anand Vihar line, close to Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, was inaugrated by the state Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and the country’s Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy on Wednesday.

The 6.25-km line between Anand Vihar and Yamuna Bank station in East Delhi will be open to the public from Thursday. This is the fourth line of the Metro network and has five stations—Laxmi Nagar, Nirman Vihar, Preet Vihar, Karkardooma and Anand Vihar. The last two will have parking facilities.

Two more stations—Kaushambi and Vaishali—in Uttar Pradesh will be added by September this year, before the 2010 Commonwealth Games start. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has also constructed two foot over-bridges—one each at Laxmi Nagar and Nirman Vihar stations—to provide commuters safe access to the stations.

It has also proposed property development at the Karkarduma and Anand Vihar stations.

“We are expecting a ridership of 60,000 on this line and it will be very beneficial for east Delhi residents,” DMRC Chief E Sreedharan said.

It will now be a seamless travel from Anand Vihar to Dwarka as the Anand Vihar-Yamuna Bank line would join the Yamuna Bank-Dwarka line. Talking about new Metro trains required to tackle congestion, Sreedharan said, “We have ordered 83 new trains, of which 16 have already arrived. The new trains will be of both four and six coaches. Initially, trains with four coaches would arrive.”

Metro authorities said they will allot three to four trains to the route. Delhi Metro, which began services on a small scale in December 2002, now ferries nearly 900,000 commuters a day. With the new line, the Delhi Metro now runs in a network of 96 km and has 83 stations.

Britain downgrades Commonwealth Games priority

Britain has effectively downgraded next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi to a development event after UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee explained that his main focus in 2010 will be on the European Championships in Barcelona, while Britain continues to prepare for 2012 London Olympics.

This may lead to other countries giving option to their atheletes to opt out of the Commonwealth Games.

The qualifying standards for European Championships, due to take place in the Montjuic Stadium, which hosted the 1992 Olympics, will be the same as those used for this year's World Championships in Berlin. British team won two gold medals, two silver and two bronze.

"We are looking for contenders, not pretenders."

The Dutchman claimed the Commonwealth Games, which takes take in New Delhi in October, would provide up-and-coming athletes with the chance to impress. He said: "This year's Commonwealth Games presents an opportunity to athletes just outside UKA's European Championships criteria which will ensure developing athletes are given high quality competition at an international level."

A number of Britain's top athletes, including world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis, have already announced that they will not compete at the Commonwealth Games.

Like many other top competitors, she fears picking up a stomach bug and also believes that the scheduling of the event, which is not due to start until October 3 2010, will cost them valuable time in beginning preparations for the 2011 World Championships, which will be held in Daegu, South Korea, the following August.

Ennis was joined yesterday by Kelly Sotherton, who announced that she would not be defending the heptathlon title she won in Melbourne in 2006 and that she expected to be joined by Phillips Idowu, the world triple jump champion.

But Ennis, Idowu and Sotherton have all already said that the European Championships will be their main priorities in 2010 as they seek their first gold medals in the event.

Commonwealth Games TV rights fetch $60 million

The 2010 Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee on Friday said they have sure commitment of US $60 million revenue from television rights.

The Commonwealth Organizing Committee in a statement mentioned that they had predicted a revenue of $40 million from selling television rights, but they have already managed $60 million.

"We have crossed our target and we are going to touch $60 million by selling television rights. We have struck a good deal with broadcasters in Australia and Britain by sorting out the timing of the disciplines which are popular in these countries," Kalmadi said.

Earlier in a report, government of India indicated that Commonwealth Games will be revenue-neutral event and may make slight profit as well. The 2010 Commmonwealth Games Organizing committee is confident that they can repay $2.6 billion aide that it has got from the government.

Four major revenue streams for 2010 CWG will be through sponsorship, TV rights, merchandising and ticket sales.

Trinidad and Tobago to bid for 2018 CWG

Trinidad and Tobago has expressed interest in bidding for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Trinidad and Tobago joins Gold Coast city, Australia as potential bidder for the games. The announcement was made by chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth 2010 in Delhi, India’s Suresh Kalmadi, at closed door Sports Breakfast meeting during the recently held Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad in November.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning in his speech said he would like to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018. When asked what were the main criteria for hosting the games, Kalmadi said a country needs a strong financial backing. “Finance for one. That’s the main thing, and then your determination and will to create international class to the world,” he said.

Asked if T&T would be able to prepare for an event of this magnitude, he said, “It depends on your government. If they are ready to come forward or not.”

The 2010 games, to be held in Delhi, India next October, have already cost India’s government US $2 billion. The event is expected to create 2.5 million jobs and will see more than 100,000 tourists gracing India’s shores.

The host of the 2018 Games will be announced at the General Assembly in Basseterre, St. Kitts in November 2011.