Commonwealth Games Logo

Logo of 19th Commonwealth Games to be held in Oct 2010 in Delhi is inspired by Ashok Chakra, India's national symbol of freedom, unity and power. The Chakra spiralling upwards apparently depicts the growth of India into a proud, vibrant nation.

As the Chakra emerges, you can also see the the elements in the Charkra turn into people, which represent everyone involved in the games from the athletes, organizers and the host nation. The games also are going to promote a "Green" theme which may be why the Chakra ends in green.

The tagline of the logo is “Come Out and Play”. The tag line depicts zeal and zest, and vitality in the lives of people, encouraging them to join the excitement of fun and activities. The CWG logo strives to express the core values of the Commonwealth itself, which seeks to unify humanity, promote equality and give all athletes a chance to realise their destiny at the Commonwealth Games.

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.

Fiji suspended from Commonwealth

The Commonwealth has fully suspended Fiji from the association after it refused to bow to requests for elections by next year. The Commonwealth said it had demanded that Fiji commit, to rejoining negotiations with the opposition and to holding credible elections by October 2010. The deadline for declaring elections ended today, on 1-Sep-2009. Earlier, we had reported on 27-Aug regarding possible suspension.

Read latest news: Fiji suspended from Commonwealth Games as well..

This is only the second 'full suspension' in the organisation's history. The only other country to be fully suspended in the Commonwealth's history is Nigeria, during the rule of Gen Sani Abacha in 1995. The Commonwealth is a grouping of 53 former British colonies, dependencies and other territories.

Fiji's acting Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama who seized power in Fiji in a 2006 coup has said elections can only be reinstated in 2014. He says he needs time to institute reforms that will end the ethnic-based voting system tipped in favour of ethnic Fijians. But his critics charge that under his rule, Fiji has suspended the constitution, detained opponents and suppressed freedom of speech.

Fiji has already been banned from Commonwealth ministerial meetings. With its full suspension, all Commonwealth aid will be cut off and Fiji will not be allowed to participate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi, India. However, not all Commonwealth contact with Fiji will cease. Its special representative to the country, Sir Paul Reeves, is set to visit Fiji from 9-11 September. Fiji has already been suspended from the regional Pacific Islands Forum, and some European Union aid to the country has been put on hold.

Fiji has had a chequered relationship with the Commonwealth. It was expelled in 1987 after two military coups, but was readmitted 10 years later when democracy was restored. It was also suspended in 2000 for 18 months.

Pakistan was twice suspended from council meetings, and Zimbabwe was on course to be suspended when President Robert Mugabe pre-empted the move by walking out himself.

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Of Indian sports and pitch invasion..

Nehru Cup, like many sporting events planned between now and next year, is considered to be a precursor to 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Those who witnessed yesterday's Nehru Cup final between India and Syria would be amazed at the frenzy sports can kick-up in India. Nehru Cup is India's only international football event that is recognized by FIFA. India retained the cup by defeating Syria 5-4 in sudden death penalty shoot outs.

Football is not the most popular sports in India. It comes close second to cricket only in some parts of eastern India and may be Goa. There is hardly any fan following for the game anywhere else in the country. Cricket takes up biggest slice of sports pages in Indian tabloids. India's National Football League has taken off and failed to take off many times, finding it difficult to garner tournament sponsors.

Also, for a fact.. India is ranked 156th on FIFA's list of countries. So what is about a tournament like Nehru Cup that invites so much attention..!! Every seat in the ground was occupied with some of Bollywood stars making appearance as well for the final match. To top it all, as soon as India's goalkeeper Subrata Paul saved the last kick to clinch the title, he had to think about running for his life. Next 10 minutes saw thousands of fans running onto the pitch to touch and hug their 'stars' whom they would not have recognized a day earlier. Such was the state of deliriousness that police had to resort to action to send back the crowd to stands. However, even policemen did not have heart to drag Indian's fans holding Indian tri-color high and running around the ground.

So what has changed with this victory..!! Well practically nothing as India were the defending champions. They had defeated Syria in 2007 edition as well. Even the response matched the action after 2007 final. A person unaware of Indian sports culture will find the intervening silence mysterious and deafening.

The final match of Nehru Cup revealed a huge crowd of pot-bellied fans who seems to be totally devoid of options (apart from Cricket), and who would turn up if India can put up a good show in any sports. So what if we are ranked 156th in the world...!!

Such is the hunger and need to celebrate that joy of defeating 95th ranked Syria will by-pass any other celebrations on a football field in last one year.

So will the fans stay with the sports. The answer is NO. That can only happen if the babus controlling the sports allow people and sports person to survive on a pitch. The expectations are not great. Indian football captain revealed in an interview few weeks back is that all he expects after a good match is to be able to stand under a shower. Same is with the fans... all they need is access to drinking water so as to keep them going with chants for the country. However, this seems to be an irrational request for any sportsperson other than cricketer. No wonder that we are ranked beyond relegation zone. Innumerable pages and articles have been written about the state of sports in India. However, there is a conspiracy of silence amongst those who matters and who control the game. Indian Sports minister was seen yawning towards the end of the game (See the footage of the match) as his bed time was getting closer (it was not even 2130 hrs India time). All that seemed important was for the minister to make an appearance along with another minister.

We wonder who is invading the pitch...!! The fans or the babus..!!!!!!