Asafa Powell uncertain for Commonwealth Games

Former 100-metres world record holder Asafa Powell is still uncertain as whether he will defend his Commonwealth Games title, but the sprinter is not ruling out the possibility.

Powell, a back-to-back World Championships bronze medallist over the 100m, won the event at the last Games in Melbourne, Australia in 2006 and is seen as a strong contender to defend his crown in New Delhi, India next year. His participation, however, is still tentative as he wouldn’t commit to running at the event.

"We’re not sure about all the plan for next year," said Powell, who was a member of the Jamaican team that dominated the sprints at the last Games. But I’m always looking forward to run," said the man who has a personal best of 9.72seconds and a record of 57 for times faster then 10-seconds over the 100m.

Powell’s fellow countryman and world record holder Usain Bolt is also hoping to race at the Games, but will leave all the decisions to his coach Glen Mills. Bolt, who dominated the 100m and 200m with world record performances at the Beijing Olympics and Berlin World Championships, missed the last event because of an injury, but said after sweeping the sprints in Berlin, that he would love to race in India.

Bolt and Powell were key-members of the Jamaican 4×100m relay teams that won gold medals in Beijing and Berlin. The Jamaicans ran a world record time of 37.10seconds to win in Beijing and 37.32secs to win in Berlin.

The Games will run from 3–14 October 2010, and will be the first time India will be hosting the event. This is also the second time the event has been held in Asia, with Kuala Lumpur in 1998, being the first.

Sponsors required for Usain Bolt

Commonwealth Games organisers are seeking an Indian sponsor to try to encourage Usain Bolt to commit himself to the event in New Delhi next year. The Jamaican, the world record holder for the 100 and 200 metres, has so far kept his schedule for 2010 under wraps but officials hope that a big Indian company would guarantee his participation.

(Video: Usain Bolt breaks World Record)

Officials believe that in a country with the 12th biggest economy in the world, along with China, the fastest growing – the triple Olympic and world champion would be an attractive brand ambassador for a major Indian firm. It remains to be seen if any of Indian companies share their view and find it worthwhile to take the plunge. So far, the International sports good companies have promised quite a lot regarding India's growth story but have failed to deliver when it comes to making commitment to the market. This can be attributed to their lack of understanding of the market dynamics, and also to the fact that Indian customers are extremely price sensitive.

The super star said at the World Championships in Berlin last month that he hoped he would be able to compete at Commonwealth Games in the Indian capital due to begin on October 3, 2010. A final decision will be taken after consultation between the star and his coach and training staff.

Click here  to watch Usain Bolt's WORLD RECORD setting run at Berlin World Championships.

Jessica Ennis to skip Commonwealth Games

Britain's Jessica Ennis, the current world heptathlon champion has indicated that she may miss 2010 Commonwealth Games in favour of the European Championships.

The European Championships run from July 26 to August 1 in Barcelona before the Commonwealth Games start on October 3 in Delhi. Ennis, 23, won bronze in the last Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006. She has indicated that she wants to avoid burnout and will discuss her participation with her coach.

Earlier, Usain Bolt has neither confirmed nor denied his participation in Commonwealth Games, indicating that the same are scheduled at fag end of the season. However, Indian organizers have confirmed that Bolt will make an appearance at the games in Delhi.

I can run faster: Usain Bolt

Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt has said that he is targeting the 9.4-second barrier for the 100m after setting a new world record at the World Championships. The 22-year-old recorded a time of 9.58 seconds as he raced to a sensational victory in Berlin last night. Bolt's coach Glen Mills had predicted after the Olympics that his runner could make 9.54 and was nearly proved right.

"I think it will stop at 9.4, but you never know," said the Jamaican.

"I'm going to run hard. I think it's going to be even more difficult because I just took Tyson's 100m title, so I know he's going to come after me. I'm just going to do my best like I always do. You can always expect me to go out and run my heart out. It's going to be fun."

Fun certainly seems to be the buzz-word around Bolt, who is happy to laugh and joke with his competitors and the crowd until the very last seconds before the start of a race.

And the star has no plans to change this relaxed approach.

"I train all year round to run the 100m, so I know what I've got to do. When I go in the blocks, I know what's necessary, so, for me, I can have all the fun I want before the race."

However, Bolt is wary of overcelebrating while he still has his favoured event - the 200m - to come in Berlin.

"I came out here to do my best and I did what I had to do," he said. "There'll be no partying for me ahead of Tuesday. I'll rest up as always. I need to rest up for the 200m."Click here to read more about Usain Bolt.