CWG baton to reach Delhi on Thursday

The Queen's Baton Relay of the Commonwealth Games will enter the host city on Thursday from the neighbouring state Haryana after completing its 20,000 kilometers journey, passing through all 28 Indian states and seven union territories. The Baton will reach the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee headquarters situated opposite Jantar Mantar on Jai Singh road in New Delhi in the afternoon, where it will be received by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

A slew of events have been planned during the display of the baton at the OC headquarters.

An elaborate three-day display and movement of the QBR in the city has been planned beginning tomorrow.

On Friday, the baton will pass through Vijay Chowk, India Gate, Teen Murti Bhawan, Qutub Minar and Lotus Temple and on Saturday, it will visit Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, St Columba's School and athletes' Games Village.

The 190,000 km long QBR's journey across 71 countries will culminate on October 3 at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium before the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Bhaichung to welcome CWG baton in Kolkata

India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia and West Bengal Sports Minister Kanti Ganguly among others will welcome the Queen's Baton for the upcoming Commonwealth Games when it arrives in the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport in Kolkata on August 1. Ganguly will receive the Baton in

presence of Bhutia, Olympian Soma Biswas, Asian Games double gold medalist Jyotirmoyee Sikdar and former football star Tulasi Balaram, Bengal Olympic Association (BOA) secretary, Kamalesh Chatterjee said announcing the QBR schedule in the city.

The Baton will set its journey from the North Gate of the Victoria Memorial at 3 pm, he said.

"About 10,000 school children are being invited to be part of the programme in the 8 km long route. There will also leading personalities from the sports fraternity," he said.

The QBR will then head to neighbouring districts covering about 300kms traversing through Bardwan, Panagarh, Durgapur and Asansol before reaching Dhanbad in Jharkhand on August 4.

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi from October 3-14.

Queen's Baton reaches Uttar Pradesh

The Queen's Baton Relay for the 2010 Commonwealth Games was accorded a rousing reception Thursday as it entered Uttar Pradesh, officials said.

The baton relay, which entered the state's Bareilly district from Uttarakhand, was received by officials of the Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association (UPOA) and other dignitaries.

'The main function was held at Bareilly stadium, where the baton reached at around 6 p.m.,' UPOA general secretary Anandeshwar Pandey told reporters in Bareilly, some 250 km from Lucknow.

'The baton will be in Bareilly tonight. Tight security arrangements have been made in view of the night stay,' he added.

According to the UPOA, the baton will reach the state capital Lucknow Friday.

'The relay will be accorded a warm welcome at Itaunja (on the outskirts of the capital), where the baton would be received by UPOA members and other dignitaries,' said Lucknow District Magistrate Anil Sagar.

'A number of cultural events will be organised in the state capital to welcome the Queen's Baton Relay. Several photo sessions will take place at historic places in Lucknow to mark the arrival of the baton. Later, on the same day it will head for City Montessori School's Kanpur Road branch, where the main function will be held,' he added.

The customary Queen's Baton Relay run would be organised in Lucknow July 10. The baton will later travel around 19 districts of the state, before it reaches Bihar July 13, and re-enter Uttar Pradesh from Jhansi district July 19, Pandey said.

The baton has travelled nearly 170,000 km through nearly 70 Commonwealth countries before arriving in India for the Games Oct 3-14 in New Delhi.

Queen's Baton goes from Himachal to Uttaranchal

6The Queen’s Baton Relay for the 2010 Commonwealth Games entered Uttarakhand Tuesday after a three-day trip through Himachal Pradesh.

Schoolchildren, sportspersons and people gathered at Paonta Sahib (the last Himachal Pradesh town it passed through) despite heavy rains to bid farewell to the baton.

The baton, which entered the state July 4 at Mehatpur town in Una district Sunday, covered a 560-km journey through Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts.

International and national players like Sita Gosain (hockey), Samresh Jung (shooting) and volleyball players Aruna Tomar and Gulshan accompanied the baton in its final leg in the state.

The baton has travelled nearly 170,000 km through nearly 70 Commonwealth countries before arriving in India for the Games scheduled Oct 3-14 in New Delhi.

Pakistan’s Olympic Association chief Syed Arif Hassan handed over the baton to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi, who is also chairman of the organising committee of the 2010 Games, at Attari border in Punjab June 25.

By the end of its journey, the baton would have travelled over 190,000 km through different modes of transport across land, air and sea in 340 days. This will make the 2010 baton relay one of the longest in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games is the biggest sporting extravaganza being hosted by India since the 1982 Asian Games held in New Delhi.

Queen's baton reaches Sri Lanka

The Queen’s Baton Relay for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Delhi from October 3-14, arrived in Sri Lanka from Maldives on Thursday.

The Baton touched down at the Bandaranaike International Airport, where representatives of the Indian High Commission and the senior officials of Sri Lankan Tourism Ministry were present.

After Colombo, the flame will travel through different places of the island country including adjoining Negombo, Wennappuwa, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Pinnawela and Rambukkana.

Hemasiri Fernando, president of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka, said the arrival of the QBR “in our community” is being celebrated with great enthusiasm and many athletes will participate during its stay in Sri Lanka.

“We look forward to see many local people join the festivities and turn out to cheer on Baton-bearers, including past and present athletes,” Fernando said.

The Baton is on its way to 190,000-kilometre journey, during, which it will pass through 71 countries and territories that make up the Commonwealth of Nations.

Sri Lanka is the 67th stop for the Baton and from here it will enter Bangladesh. The seeing off ceremony in Sri Lanka will be held at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium here on June 19.

The Baton would enter India from Pakistan through Wagah border and then embark upon a 100-day national tour starting on June 25 before reaching its final destination Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 3.

Queen's baton in Sydney

The 19th Commonwealth Games baton passed through Sydney yesterday with the promise of building new relations between India and Australia.

At a function last night celebrating the XIX Commonwealth Games being held 3-14 October in Delhi India, the High Commissioner of India the Honorable Mrs Sujatha Singh welcomed the Queen's Baton relay to Sydney.

The High Commissioner said this is a great day for India and Australia relations.

Symbolising the shared ideals of Commonwealth nations, what binds India and Australia are not only the three "C's" Cricket, Curry and the Commonwealth, but the vibrant multi cultural democracies of both countries and the Commonwealth Games are helping build bridges of friendship and understanding said Mrs Singh.

Dipen Rughani, President of the Australia India Business Council said two years of lobbying was successful in bringing the baton to Sydney (originally planned to only visit Melbourne) arriving in Harris Park, Sydney's "Little India", where tensions were raised last year by attacks on Australian-based Indian students. The Baton was also welcomed at a civic ceremony at Parramatta's Town Hall and visited Sydney's famous Opera House

The Baton was carried by Nathan Hindemarsh, Kieren Perkins and other Olympic and Commonwealth Games sporting legends.

Visiting all 71 countries participating in the games, the baton is travelling some 190,000 kms to 100 cities, the longest baton relay in Commonwealth games history in the 167 day lead up to the opening ceremony.

India is fast becoming a popular destination for Australians with 150,000 arrivals in 2009. The GFC saw a 3.3% decline in visitor numbers last year, though the first quarter of 2010 looks promising with visa issuance up 43.67% said Krishna R. Arya, Regional Director India Tourism Australasia

Due to the Games India expects a rush of visa requests and promises visa issuance will not be subject to any delays.

Tourism India expect 100,000 visitors to Delhi during the games plus 6,000 athletes from 71 countries will participate in 17 sports. Tickets for events will range from INR50-INR1000 (AUD$1-$50). Opening Ceremony tickets will cost from INR1000-INR50,000 (AUD$50-$1200).

The Games Travel Office covers accommodation, transport and pre/post games touring in and around Delhi. Touring with set or FIT itineraries which can include the length and breadth of India.

The Queen's Baton Relay leaves Sydney today for Melbourne.

Queen's Baton arrives in Australia

The Queen's baton relay has arrived in Australia as part of a tour of all 71 Commonwealth countries leading up to the Commonwealth Games in India in October.

The honour of carrying the baton on its first leg on Australian soil at Parramatta in western Sydney on Monday went to wheelchair athlete Kristy Pond.

She handed the baton over to NRL players Nathan Cayless and Nathan Hindmarsh.

Commonwealth Games road cycling champion Natalie Bates took the baton to Parramatta wharf where it was put on board a ferry bound for the Sydney Opera House.

It will be passed to former sprinter Matt Shirvington ahead of an official ceremony at the Opera House.

Sporting notables involved in the relay later on Monday include netballers Catherine Cox and Susan Pratley, swimming great Kieran Perkins, and world cycling champions Karlee McCulloch and Ashlee Ankudinoff.

The baton will make its way to Melbourne on Tuesday, then on Wednesday to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which recently submitted a bid for the 2018 Games.

The baton, which carries the Queen's message to athletes in New Delhi, began its journey from Buckingham Palace last October.

By the time it reaches New Delhi for the October 3 opening ceremony, it will have travelled over 190,000 kilometres in 340 days.

The Australian Commonwealth Games Association is expected to send a team of 425 athletes and 175 officials to India, its largest ever to compete in an overseas campaign.

CWG Baton reaches Canada

Canadian kick-off for the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) is being held in Toronto today, Wednesday April 14, at Metro Hall Square.

More than 20 athletes, including some of Canada’s top Commonwealth Games prospects as well as legendary veterans of the Games will take part in the relay, organizers tout.

The Games is scheduled to take place in Delhi, India from Oct. 3 to 14, 2010. The relay, which began on Oct. 29 last year at London’s Buckingham Palace, is part of a 190,000 kilometer route connecting 71 nations and territories that make up the Commonwealth of Nations.

Canadian baton bearers include:

James Worrall, Athletics, 1934 Games Silver Medalist (London, England) and flag bearer for Team Canada at the 1936 Olympics (Berlin, Germany)

Ohenewa Akuffo, Wrestling, 2008 World Championships Bronze Medalist and 2010 Commonwealth Games hopeful

Chelsea Gotell, Swimming, 5 -time Medalist, 2008 Paralympic Games (Beijing, China), and 2010 Commonwealth Games hopeful

Dr. Bruce Kidd, Athletics, 1962 Commonwealth Games Champion (Perth, Australia), founding member of Commonwealth Games Canada’s International Development through Sport Program

Alexandra Orlando, Rhythmic Gymnastics, 6-time Gold Medalist, 2006 Commonwealth Games (Melbourne, Australia)

Martha Deacon, Team Canada Chef de Mission, 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Indian community prepares to welcome QBR in Australia

Queen’s Baton Relay arrives in Parramatta on Monday, April 19 and will be welcomed to the city with a special event in Harris Park before being carried by a number of sporting stars to its civic welcome at Parramatta Town Hall.

United India Association president Aruna Chandrala said the Indian community was looking forward to the relay and cultural entertainment planned for Harris Park on the day.

"This is a great moment for the Indian community, especially as the baton was not even coming to Sydney, and now it is passing through Harris Park in recognition of the large Indian community here" Mrs Chandrala said.

"It is exciting enough for us that the Commonwealth Games are in Delhi and now we can be part of the relay."

Both sites will have music and dance entertainment to keep the crowds entertained.

Parramatta is the first Australian city the Queen’s Baton will visit in its journey around the globe en route to Delhi for the opening of the Commonwealth Games in October.

After Parramatta, the baton will be taken by ferry to Sydney city and then it’s off to Melbourne and Brisbane before leaving for Papua New Guinea.

The relay will have visited more than 70 countries by the time it reaches Delhi.

The baton arrives in Harris Park at 8.35am but celebrations would already have started at 7am with dancing, music and singing.

A stage in Harris Park on the junction of Marion and Station streets will be erected for performances from a variety of great musicians and dancers including the Parramatta City Choir, Adriana Diab and Bobby Singh & Friends.

There will be stalls selling a range of tasty breakfasts and refreshments from 7am. The baton will then make its way to Parramatta Town Hall carried initially by a number of sporting heroes and community members.

The honour of the first leg from the Harris Park stage goes to Parramatta’s Sportsperson of the Year, Kristy Pond. She will hand over to Parramatta Eels’ stars Nathan Cayless and Nathan Hindmarsh who will pass the baton to the school captains from St Oliver’s Primary and the Australian International Performing Arts High School.

Once the baton leaves Harris Park for the next stage of its journey celebrations at Parramatta Town Hall will get under way. It will not be able to be followed at that point as it will be transported to arrive at the town hall at 10am.

Children’s song and dance troupe the Jitterbugs will kick off proceedings followed by the Casey Steen trio. Parramatta Goodwill Ambassador Nathan Brake will also perform before an exciting Commonwealth flavoured mix of performances covering African, Aboriginal and Punjabi cultures.

The baton will be welcomed by Lord Mayor Paul Garrard and Indian Consul General Amit Dasgupta, State Labor Parramatta MP Tanya Gadiel and other dignitaries from India and the Commonwealth Games.

Following a traditional Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony and speeches, the baton will be passed to Natalie Bates, 2006 Commonwealth Games road cycling champion, who will start the baton on its journey to Parramatta Wharf where it will board the ferry to continue its progress on to Sydney.

The Commonwealth Games will take place between October 3 and 14 in Delhi.

Turks and Caicos Islands: CWG baton's 46th stop

The Queen’s Baton on its way to visiting 71 Commonwealth countries in 340 days in time for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, to be staged in October, made its 46th stop on Sunday, April 4, when it arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Baton arrived from The Bahamas via British Airways flight in the company of a handful of delegates including the Paul Thapar – the Dehli 2010 representative. They were met at the Providenciales International Airport by His Excellency Governor Gordon Wetherell, and members of the TCI Commonwealth Games Association, including Rita Gardiner, Sheryl-Ann Shand, Nicola Jordon, Latoya Skippings and Shenwell Gardiner.

A brief ceremony was held shortly after the Baton arrived in Provo, where members of the welcoming committee as well as the delegation gave short speeches on their take on the instrument circling the globe prior to the Games.

The Baton made its tour of the Turks and Caicos Islands when it was flown to the country’s capital Grand Turk. On its arrival there, another brief ceremony was held at the JAGS McCartney International Airport.
Shortly following the ceremony, a motorcade headed by horse drawn carriage was held along the streets of Grand Turk and ended at the Parade Ground. There the Governor’s speech was read, followed by the Sports Permanent Secretary speech. The Cadets as well as the Girls Guide were also on parade to mark the event.

In the afternoon, the Baton and its delegation were ferried to Salt Cay, were the group was treated to a craft demonstration, among other activities, before returning to Providenciales.

On Monday, they were ferried to North Caicos from which they also visited Middle Caicos. Events on both islands were held in their honour, including the visitation of the Caves in Middle Caicos.

In the afternoon the delegation returned to Providenciales for a farewell party in their honour. That event included a cultural display by the renowned TUCA Cultural Group, led by Director of Culture David Bowen. The group gave their audience a taste of the rich cultural heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Director for the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board, Ralph Higgs, was also on hand to present the members of the delegation with gifts, which included memorabilia of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Queen's baton to arrive in Belize

The Queen’s Baton Relay will be arriving in Belize at one o’clock this afternoon. The relay team has embarked on a tour of commonwealth countries in connection with the nineteenth Commonwealth Games scheduled for October in New Delhi, India.

They will be welcomed by members of the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association and a group of ten cyclists who will then relay the Queen’s Baton from the Philip Goldson International Airport to Mayor of Belize City, Zenaida Moya Flowers, who will officially welcome them to Belize City. Tomorrow the Queen’s Baton and its party will parade through the principal streets of Belize City along with primary school children and athletes from the National Federation. The parade will culminate at the House of Culture where the Mayor will present the Queen’s Baton to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvin Penner. On Friday the Baton’s Party will head to the Youth Hostel at mile 21 on the Western Highway where the General Council of India, Arum Hotchandani will present sporting equipment to the institution. They will then move on to the City of Belmopan where the baton will be given to the Mayor of Belmopan, Simeon Lopez. The last to receive the baton will be the Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young and the British High Commissioner of Belize Patrick Ashworth. The party will leave Belize on Friday en route to Bermuda.

Queen's baton reaches Namibia

Namibia was under spotlight on Friday when the Queen’s Baton, to promote the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, arrived in Windhoek.

The Namibian leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) formed part of a worldwide relay which started at Buckingham Palace on March 8, and is scheduled to reach its conclusion on October 3, when the Queen’s Baton will arrive in New Delhi. Queen's message will be read to the athletes during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

In total, the Queen’s Baton will cover a distance of 190,000km over a period of 340 days, making it one of the longest relays in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

Prime Minister Nahas Angula received the Queen’s Baton from Namibia’s WBA world champion Paulus “The Hitman” Moses on Friday morning, at his office in parliament where he proceeded to read a message on behalf of President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

“The baton’s journey symbolises the harmony and shared ideals of the Commonwealth nations, and will provide an opportunity for the entire Commonwealth to share in the excitement of the 19th Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“With the baton’s exposure through interactive internet technologies and the media attention it will generate, the Namibian leg of the relay has the potential to be watched by millions of people from all over the world. Therefore, our involvement in this exciting event provides us with the opportunity to showcase our country to the rest of the world,” he added.

Pohamba expressed the hope that the arrival of the Queen’s Baton would be a major source of inspiration and encouragement for Namibia’s athletes, as they intensify their training in preparation for the Games.

“I wish to reassure all our athletes that they have the support of the Namibian government in the upcoming New Delhi Games and I encourage all Namibians to rally behind the Namibian team to New Delhi and render them the necessary support to ensure their successful participation in the Games,” he added.

Pohamba also called on Namibia’s coaches and officials to continue preparing so that Namibia could send a strong team in order to bring home ‘many medals.’

Angula then handed the baton over to India’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Tsewang Topden, ‘as a token of our appreciation for the wonderful hospitality that our team will receive in that beautiful country.’

Topden, in turn, handed the baton over to former Namibian athlete, Agnes Samaria, who won a bronze medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, before the relay continued.

The baton was also received by the mayor of Windhoek, Matthew Shikongo at the Municipality headquarters, after which it winded its way down Independence Avenue in the city centre. Athletes from various sporting codes such as cycling, wrestling, hockey and swimming, as well as representatives of the Namibia National Olympic Committee, the Namibia School Sport Union, Special Olympics Namibia and the City Police all participated in the relay before it eventually reached the UN Plaza in Katutura.

Commonwealth Games baton to reach Delhi on 30-Sep

The 2010 Commonwealth Organising Committee announced the India schedule of Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) which will pass through the various states and Union territories in the run-up to the quadrennial event starting from October 3.

The baton will arrive in India on June 25 at 1300 hrs through Wagah Border after finishing its Pakistan tour and proceed to Amritsar via road on the same day in the evening," OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi said.

During its 100-day-long programme, the baton will pass through all the states and union territories before finally arriving in Delhi on September 30 at 1100 hrs.

The baton will spend 3-4 days in each state and union territory, during which it will be taken to the different cities and districts. Special attention has been given to the remote and far flung areas where the baton will travel in regards to security and transportation.

The schedule was announced during OC's meeting with the nodal officers of different states and union territories to inform them about the arrival and departure of the relay in their respective cities and arrangements required to be made to ensure baton's smooth run.

Kalmadi, briefing the nodal officers, said that all must work in one direction to make this relay a ceremonious event to showcase India's rich cultural diversity, lifestyle and strong democracy.

Queen's baton to arrive in India on 25-June

The 2010 Commonwealth Organising Committee and Thursday announced the India schedule of Queen's Baton Relay. The Commonwealth Games baton will pass through the various states and Union territories in the run-up to the quadrennial event starting from October 3.

The baton will arrive in India on June 25 at 1300 hrs through Wagah Border after finishing its Pakistan tour. The Common Wealth Games (CWG) and proceed to Amritsar via road on the same day in the evening.

Queen's baton reaches Mozambique

The Queen's Baton Relay reached the Maputo Airport to initiate its interactive relationship with the people of the African country of Mozambique. Dr. Maputo Airport , Indian High Commissioner along with Mr. Marcelino Macome, CGA President welcomed the Queen's Baton on its arrival.

Mozambique, located on the southeast coast of Africa, is the world's 35th largest country. Portuguese is the official and most widely spoken language of the nation, however, only 40 percent of the population speaks the language. Mozambique is one of Africa's up-coming hot-spots, with stunning beaches, excellent diving sites and offshore islands that are magical in their beauty.

Mozambique joined the Commonwealth in 1995 as a former Portuguese territory and made its debut in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games. The country won the Gold and Silver on its debut at Kuala Lumpur in the women's 800m, with the legendary Maria Mutola winning the race. It was a feat she repeated in the 2002 Manchester Games, while the Melbourne Games yielded her a Bronze in the same event. The Queen's Baton started its journey for the Maputo Municipal Council after the reception at the airport. Binta Jambane - participant in 1984 Olympics in Athletics - was among the 10 official batonbearers. It was a 7 km journey that took the Baton through the Lusaka Avenue, Marianne Nguambe Avenue, Karl Marx Avenue and Praça da Independecia. The entire journey took two hours.

At 4.45 PM, the official function at the Municipal Council premises started. The Indian Ambassador and His Excellency Mr. David Simingo the President of the Municipality were among those who were present for the event.

Commonwealth Games Baton reaches Swaziland

The Queen's Baton Relay has reached the Kingdom of Swaziland, South Africa.

The Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 Queen's Baton Relay arrived at the capital city of Swaziland, the Mbabane after a two day stop over at Lesotho.

Mbabane, along with Manzini, the largest and main industrial hub, extended a warm welcome to the first baton-bearer for the day, Mr. Robert Magagula, the President of the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA). Hundreds of people cheered the baton on the streets of Swaziland as they carried the Baton past the landmarks that dot the streets of Manzini and Mbabane.

The Kingdom of Swaziland is a small country to the east of Southern Africa. Bounded to its east by Mozambique, South Africa shares the rest of landlocked Swaziland's borders.

The economy is dominated by the service industry, manufacturing and agriculture. Swaziland joined the Commonwealth in 1968 and made its debut in the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, to boast a record thereafter, of fielding its sporting prowess in each and every edition of the Games.

Swaziland's first medal came at the 1974 Games in Christchurch when Richard Mabuza picked up a bronze for clocking 2 hrs 12 minutes 54.4 seconds in the men's marathon. In the last edition of the Games in Melbourne in 2006, Simanga Shiba took home a boxing Bronze Medal in the men's light flyweight class. The Swaziland National Olympic Committee was established in 1974 and is responsible for their country's participation at the Commonwealth Games.

The relay passed through the Old Trade Fair Gate, the Mahhala Complex, the Coronation Park, the Mananga Training Centre and the Olympafrica Centre in Manzini and Mbabane. Mrs. Vickey Nxumalo, Deputy Mayor of the Old Trade Fair region and Mr. Sibusio Dlamini, Honourable Member of Parliament were among the batonbearers. One of the highlights of the day was the traditional singing and dancing performance - Ummiso and Sibhaca, and a gymnastics display by three teams.

Queen's baton reaches South Africa

The Ministry of Tourism of India organized an Incredible India road show in Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday. The event coincided with the passing of the Queen's Baton to promote the Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held in New Delhi

Ten double decker buses were wrapped in Incredible India images and flagged off by M Mashabane, Minister of International Relation and Cooperation, Government of South Africa along with Vikram Doraiswamy, Consul General of India and T.S. Darbari, Joint Director General, Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee.

This event was followed by presentations on Incredible India, the Commonwealth Games, a taste of Indian, music and dance.

Mashabane complemented on this mega promotion and spoke highly of India- South Africa relations and India's tourism products.

More than 200 people from various walks of life were present at the event.

Meanwhile, prior to the event at Johannesburg, legendary Archbishop, Desmond Tutu became the Baton bearer when the Baton Relay 2010 Delhi had reached Bloemfontein in South Africa.

The Queen's Baton had been received at the airport by Dan-Kgothule, Minister of Sports and Executive Mayor with representatives from ministries of sports and culture.

After the staging of cultural performances, the Baton was handed over to the executive mayor for the relay in Bloemfontein where it saw the participation of about 300 baton bearers and enthusiastic response from hundreds of citizens.

Commonwealth Games baton to fight drug abuse

Zambia has decided to use the Queen's baton relay for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India to fight drug abuse among children.

There is palpable interest in this southern African country as it awaits the Commonwealth Games baton for its two-day sojourn in the country.

The baton will be arriving here from Malawi on Jan 23 and will leave for Botswana Jan 24. "We have tied up with the Drug Enforcement Commission to use the relay to fight drug abuse," media liaison officer of the Queen Baton's Relay committee in Zambia Haroon Ghumra

He said that elaborate arrangements are being made to give a high profile to the Queen's Baton, which will arrive in Zambia on the 87th day of the relay, accompanied by a four-member delegation.

"The protocol is that when the baton lands in the country, the first person to lay hands on it has to be the guest of honour. We are trying to get high dignitaries to come for this event," he said.

It is expected that Kenneth Kaunda, the first president of Zambia, who was a close friend of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, will participate in the baton relay.

Children from two prominent schools in the Zambian capital will participate in the two-day event, which inspired the committee to talk about a socially-relevant topic to the large audience that will be present.

"We plan to have information displays and give communication material to the school children," Ghumra said.

Eighteen countries from Africa are members of the 72-member Commonwealth group of nations.

The relay was launched by British Queen Elizabeth II on Oct 29 from Buckingham Palace, in the presence of Indian President Pratibha Patil.

The baton will reach India late June, after which it will get a guided tour around the country before reaching Delhi for the inauguration of the Commonwealth Games Oct 3.

Hero Honda to partner Commonwealth Games relay

Bike manufacturer Hero Honda Motors on Friday announced that the group would partner the Queen’s Baton Relay of the Commonwealth Games 2010.

‘The Queen’s Baton will enter India from the Wagah border after completing a journey of 170,000 km across all Commonwealth countries. The baton would spread the message of ‘Peace through Sports’ as it enters India from Pakistan,’ Games Organizing Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said.

‘Hero Honda would play a prominent role in greeting the Baton in India and also when the Baton traverses the entire length and breadth of the country,’ he said.

Pawan Munjal, chief executive of Hero Honda, said: ‘There is a perfect synergy between our brand attributes and the values of optimism, hope, unity and the celebration of the human spirit that the Commonwealth Games imbibe.’

As part of this partnership, Hero Honda Motors will market its leadership position through the use of the Games marks and imagery. This recognition will allow Hero Honda to enjoy marketing rights, advertising, promotion and recognition to connect with all its consumers and dealers around the country.

Commonwealth Games 2010

Host city: New Delhi, India 
Motto: "COME OUT AND PLAY"
Nations participating: 72 Commonwealth Teams
Athletes participating: TBA
Events: 17 disciplines  Queen's Baton Relay: 29 October 2009

Opening ceremony: 03 October 2010
Closing ceremony: 14 October 2010

Click here to know more about history of Commonwealth Games.