CWG: Oz foreign minister to review security arrangements

Australian foreign affairs minister Stephen Smith says he will take a stock of October’s Commonwealth Games preparations when he visits India this week

Mr. Smith, who will leave Perth on Monday, will meet with government officials to discuss the Games, scheduled in New Delhi from Oct 3-14 and watch Australia compete in the ongoing World Hockey Cup during the three-day trip.

"I want to have conversations with relevant Indian ministers about the planning for the Commonwealth Games," Mr. Smith was quoted as saying in Age

"I’ll also be inspecting some of the Commonwealth Games facilities."

Mr. Smith, however, played down the security concerns after a militant group earlier this month warned the athletes from participating in the Indian Premier League, Hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.

"It is a most regrettable fact of modern life that at any major sporting event, there is a threat of terrorist or other attack and we have to be absolutely vigilant." he said.

"The conclusion we’ve come to is we don’t regard that threat as a credible threat."

Mr. Smith said the federal government was providing the latest information on India’s security situation to relevant parties.

"It’s a matter for individual athletes or sporting bodies to decide whether they take part (in competition) or not,” he said.

Indian team for Commonwealth Boxing Championships

5th Commonwealth Boxing Championships are to be held at Delhi from 10 -18 March 2010

Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) has announced the Indian Boxing Team to participate in the 5th Commonwealth Boxing Championships at Talkatora Stadium , New Delhi from 10 -18 March 2010

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The participants are:

1. 49 kgs: Amandeep Singh RSPB
2. 52 kgs: Suranjoy Singh SSCB
3. 56 kgs: Akhil Kumar AIP
4. 60 kgs: Jai Bhagwan AIP
5. 64 Kgs: Balwinder Beniwal HAR
6. 69 kgs: Dilbagh Singh RSPB
7. 75 kgs: Vijender Singh AIP
8. 81 kgs: Dinesh Kumar AIP
9. 91 kgs: Manpreet Singh SSCB
10. +91 kgs: Paramjit Samota RSPB

Commonwealth Shooting Championships: Final medal tally

Hockey World Cup to start amidst unprecedented security

The Hockey World Cup returns to India after 28 years as India take on arch-rival Pakistan in a potential humdinger here on Sunday amid very tight security.


Click here: Watch India vs Australia live.

Nearly 6,000 security men will be guarding the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium as almost double the number of spectators are expected to turn up for the event. There will be 5,000 policemen, 100 commandos and 1,000 paramilitary forces around the stadium.

Ahead of the India-Pakistan tie at 8:35 pm on Sunday, Australia will take on England (6.35pm) as the pristine new Dhyan Chand National stadium in the Capital gears up for the 12-team tournament.

The FIH president Leandro Negre judged the security on Saturday and is satisfied with the arrangements put forth by India. The protection at the stadium is so intense that Negre had a hard-time convincing the security guards at the gates to prove his crdentials.

"We in the FIH are equally helpless as the Pune terror attack has worsened the situation. We have the responsibility of convincing the hockey family that everything is alright. So, when certain measures are spelt out to ensure their safety, we have to follow what the police say.”

Negre was, however, disappointed by the media boycott of a news conference here on Saturday. He said, “We apologise for what happened. We have been working towards making things easy for them and in the next few days, we assure you everything will be okay."

Commonwealth Shooting Championships medal tally: 24-Feb

GREEN Talkatora stadium inaugrated

Delhi’s Chief Minister Smt. Shiela Dikshit inaugurated the Talkatora sporting complex on Wednesday. Talkatora Stadium complex will be an environmentalist’s delight. Constructed with recycled building material, fly ash and heat reflective glass, the dome-shaped stadium is a perfect green zone.

The complex encloses the stadium and a facility block. The stadium has been connected to the block through a tunnel which will be used by athletes during the Games.

Talkatora, which is the venue for the boxing competition, and the stadium will accommodate 2,700 spectators and has a parking capacity for 500 cars.

Smt. Dikshit said efforts are on to make the Games a memorable event so that Delhi can host bigger sporting events in the future.

Elaborating on various infrastructure development projects, She said the city must seize the opportunity to present itself as "a major destination for international sporting events".

The Delhi government has undertaken several key infrastructure development projects as part of its preparation for the Games.

Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Organising Committee Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, said India could now bid for the Olympics. "All Games-related projects will be completed as per their deadlines." Kalmadi said.

New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) chairman Parimal Rai while elaborating on the state-of-the-art facilities being provided at Talkatora Stadium said the complex had been upgraded with acoustic ceiling, score boards, sports lighting etc.

Speaking on the facility block, Rai said: "it is a multi-purpose air-conditioned building which has been constructed in accordance to the green building concept. Heat reflective glass has been used for the facade of this block. Rain water harvesting provisions as well as dual knob flushing system have been included in the design concept."

During the Commonwealth Games, each floor of the facility-block will be used for a specific purpose. For instance, the ground floor of the block will have athlete cubicles, medical office warm-up area and athlete lounge. The first floor will have a doping-control office, federation office, and technical official lounge, committee room, meeting room and changing rooms, among other facilities.

Around 104 CCTV cameras will be fitted on the periphery walls of the stadium. Natural resources and habitat have been integrated into the overall design of this stadium.

CW Shooting: India bags 3 more Golds

Manavjit Singh Sandhu bettered the Commonwealth Games record in the individual trap event as Indian shooters won all the three gold medals on offer on the seventh day of the Commonwealth Championships here today.

India's overall tally stood at 17 gold, 12 silver and six bronze medals. By adding the consolation badges given to shooters in a team event, India's tally swells to 26 gold, 17 silver and 10 bronze.

Manavjit set a new Commonwealth Games record in the men's trap individual event scoring 146 points, which is also his personal best, to pocket the gold.

England's Aaron Heading (143) took the silver, while Australia's Adam Villa (142) bagged the bronze.

The other two golds for India came in the 10m air rifle women's event and 25m centre fire pistol competition for men.

Neha Sapte, 17, who incidentally has to appear for her Class XII board exam tomorrow in Mumbai, won the gold in the women's 10m Air Rifle event scoring 496.1 points.

In a nail-biting finish for the next two spots, Sharmin Akhter Ratna of Bangladesh barely managed to avoid a tie with Australia's Robyn Nus Van. Ratna's total score of 494.5 points earned her the silver while Robyn's 494.2 got her the bronze.

Indians swept all three medals in the men's 25m Center Fire Pistol individual event.

Gold grabber Vijay Kumar again took the top spot on the podium for his 580 points. Mahender Singh took the silver for his 568 points while Viraj Singh took the bronze for his 567 points.

CWG: Elaborate security plan for Participants

Organizers of the Commonwealth Games in the Indian capital are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a smooth and secure ride for international athletes, support staff and the media.

Right from the time they land here to the time they fly back, elaborate plans have been drawn up by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) to take care of athletes during the Oct 3-14 event.

The CGOC is leaving nothing to chance after reports from private security experts scared sportspersons from Australia, England and New Zealand, saying they would be going to India at their own risk.

Jiji Thomson, the Kerala cadre IAS officer who holds a pivotal position in the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee, said things have more or less fallen in place and the security agencies have an impeccable blueprint to protect athletes and officials as they move around the city.

"Keeping in mind all the concerns, everything has been planned to the minutest possible detail. After the athletes arrive at the recently renovated Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), they would be taken to the Games Village near the Akshardham temple in east Delhi through air-conditioned low-floor CNG buses."

The security agencies, CGOC and the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) would be working in close coordination at the airport and there would be a dedicated parking area for the Games vehicles at IGIA to avoid traffic glitches.

"Every bus carrying athletes would be accompanied by a well-equipped security vehicle to ensure its safety. There would be dedicated traffic lanes for the Games vehicles," Thomson said.

A transport hub is coming up near the Millennium Park for the Commonwealth Games vehicles and a transport mall at the Village.

"There will be a 24X7 control room manned by traffic police, DTC officials and CGOC volunteers and they will supervise all transport operations through GPS (Global Positioning System)-based vehicle tracking system. And there will also be CCTVs to aid security," he added.

There will also be dedicated buses to carry athletes and team officials to different competition and training venues and back to the Village. Their designated primary routes and secondary routes in emergency have already been identified.

"On the day of the opening and closing ceremonies, nearly 7,500 athletes and support staff would have to be transported to the Jawahalal Nehru Stadium within two to three hours. It will be a gigantic effort and it will be done without a hassle."

Then there are plans to make over 100,000 expected tourists to the Games feel comfortable.

Over 500 buses would be pressed into service to cater to an estimated 7,500 athletes and their support staff, 1,250 technical officials and 3,000 mediapersons and broadcasters. They will all use dedicated buses.

For mediapersons, a shuttle bus service would be available from their hotels to the various venues and to the main Press Centre and the International Broadcasting Centre at Pragati Maidan.

CGOC has also earmarked hundreds of limousines, sedans, SUVs and other swanky vehicles for the Games VIPs who include senior officials of the Commonwealth Games Federation and the CGOC.

"These cars will probably be sponsored by the automobile manufacturers and we are in discussions with them," Thomson said.

The CGOC has also devised a 'Vehicle Access and Parking Permit Scheme' (VAPPS) to control all vehicle access and parking entitlement during the Commonwealth Games.

"At the end of it all, the arrangements will be to everyone's satisfaction and nothing will go wrong for want of effort," said a confident Thomson.

Shooters have already dispelled the fears, describing the security cover provided to them in two words - "best ever"! The shooters at the Commonwealth championship are impressed with the impregnable four-layer security ring the athletes will have at all the venues during the Games, starting with an outer level, then middle, then inner and finally the exclusive.

Commonwealth Shooting Championships medal tally: 21-Feb

Park-n-ride facility @ Safdarjung airport

Keeping the Commonwealth Games in mind, the NDMC is setting up a park-and-ride facility at the Safdarjung Airport in the national capital, which will have space for 3000 cars and 600 buses.

The parking lot will be a key aspect in the transport plan of athletes and visitors during the mega sports event as it will be directly connected to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main venue of the Games.

"The holding area at the Safdarjung airport is being created for parking of vehicles destined for the Nehru Stadium during the Games," an NDMC official said.

The parking area will be spread over 1.65 lakh square metres and will accommodate 3000 cars, 600 buses and a few hundred two-wheelers. The project will involve an estimated expenditure of Rs50 crore, he said.

The proposal was also mentioned by NDMC chairman Parimal Rai while unveiling the civic body's 2010-11 budget last week. He had said an amount of Rs31.25 crore has been approved by the Delhi government for civil works for the project.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is in touch with the Delhi government to obtain administrative approval for remaining parts of the project.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi is also constructing a parking facility for 800 vehicles near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium by covering two streams in the area -- Sunehri Nallah and Kushak Nallah.

CWG ticket holders to ride free on Metro and DTC

The Commonwealth Games organising committee Friday said all spectators who have tickets for any event will be able to travel free in public transport on the day of the competition.

"There are plans to integrate the Delhi Metro and the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) services so that all spectators can commute effortlessly and conveniently between different locations in and around Delhi. The ticketed spectators will be entitled for free public transport, on DTC buses and Delhi metro, valid for the day of the competition," a statement from the committee said.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games will take place in the capital Oct 3-14. According to the organising committee, there are also proposals to introduce a special fleet of buses for the games, regular shuttle service to and from various metro stations near the games' venue and free travel passes for volunteers.

"To ferry spectators to and from different games' venues, DTC will be providing a special bus fleet consisting of more than 600 compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelled buses. The organising committee and the DTC has also identified various points from where the buses will pick and drop passengers and for this Delhi will be divided into five zones," the statement said.

According to the release, around 100,000 foreign tourists are expected to come to the city for the games in addition to Indian tourists.

CWG catering: OC floats fresh tenders

With only eight months to go for the Commonwealth Games, the organizing committee is finally looking beyond venues and consistently missed deadlines. It has now floated a tender to look for caterers for not only the Games Village but also for the various venues, including Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

Lalit Bhanot, spokesperson for the OC, said, "Earlier last year, the 2010 Commonwealth Games OC had chosen a caterer for the Games Village. However, it was felt that with only one quotation coming in, it wasn't the best decision to choose that firm. Instead, we preferred to float fresh tenders."

The decision, however, has drawn criticism from within the OC. Sources in the OC confirmed that a decision on selecting the firm as master caterer for the 2010 Games would only be taken in late March, after the technical and commercial bids were studied.

"Thereafter, it will take another three-four months for the kitchens to be set up and the menus to be finalized. It's a time consuming process," said a senior OC official. With venue operations schedules going off-track due to construction delays, sources said setting up of the catering, a major component of the venue operations, needed to be in place. "It's not just catering at the Games Village but also at sports venues and the designated accommodations that have been earmarked for the delegates. The logistics involved are huge," added the source.

The late decision to go in for floating fresh tenders, added sources, could only delay the function.

For Bhanot though, it doesn't seem to be a worry. "The response to our re-tendering has been very good. By July, the logistics will be in place and this will give plenty of time to prepare for the Games," added Bhanot.

Incidentally, the caterers for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne were chosen more than a year in advance. "There is time. It's not that we are looking for food to be made for a thousand-strong contingent from tomorrow," added Bhanot. While that may be debatable, the fact remains that OC's efforts to get its accommodation plans in place have also been lagging behind. Neither the DDA flats nor the hotels are ready even as its venue planning refuses to get off the ground.

Commonwealth Shooting Championships medal tally: 20-Feb

CW Shooting C'ship: India wins two Gold

It has been a good start for India on the first day of the Commonwealth Shooting Championships in New Delhi with two gold medals.

India's Gagan Narang and PT Raghunath shot Gold with their respective scores of 599 and 594 in the 10m air rifle pair event.

Tournament favourite Gagan Narang lived up to the expectation as he not only clinched gold but his score of 599 is also a Commonwealth Shooting Championships record.

Meanwhile, in the 25m sports pistol women's pair event, the pair of Aneesa Sayyed and Annuraj Singh picked up India's 2nd Gold of the day.

The Shooting Championships is the first test event ahead of October's Commonwealth Games. It's also the first event at the refurbished Karni Singh shooting range.

All eyes are on the Indian shooters. But it is still not clear how many will actually get to see it. The fairly festive air at the inauguration ceremony was in stark contrast to the tight security ring that had been thrown around the Karni Singh range.

More than 200 CCTV cameras and 1000 security personnel are guarding the shooting range.

For the moment, all the stakeholders for this venue are speaking in one voice, praising the facilities and expressing their confidence in the security provided. And that led to perhaps the most memorable sight of the day.

With 186 (146 from overseas) shooters taking part in this competition from different Commonwealth countries, the government has provided top security cover for the event to prevent any untoward incident, after Saturday's Pune bomb blast.

163 shooters from 12 countries (including 43 from India) are competing in the championship.

Tussle on Cable TV broadcast infrastructure

The Delhi government’s decision for removal of all overhead cable TV wires from a large part of the capital may soon snowball into a tussle between 2,000-odd cable operators, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the telecom service providers. If not sorted out in time, this may lead to a complete blackout of cable TV services to around 8 million consumers in Delhi.

Cable operators want the clearance from the government to share the underground cabling rights given to various telecom firms, including Reliance, Bharti and MTNL. However, cable operators allege that the telcos have not shown any interest to resolve the issue, as some of them are also DTH service providers.

The cable industry has called upon the Delhi government to identify and unbundle the spare capacity with bigger telecom players like Airtel, MTNL and Reliance.

According to a notice given by the MCD, all overhead cable wires in large parts of the city have to be removed by February-end. This is part of the special drive undertaken by the Delhi government to beautify the city ahead of the Commonwealth Games in October. In response, over 2,200 registered cable operators and multi service operators (MSOs) have suggested underground laying of cable wires, covering around 200 km in the city subject to fast track government clearances.

"We have had several rounds of meetings with the MCD officials. We are for the beautification of the capital provided we get clearances from all departments concerned of the Delhi government. We will now approach the chief minister," says Roop Sharma, president, Cable Operator's Federation of India (COFI), the apex body of all registered cable operators.

According to cable operators, there are already around 600 km of underground cable wires carrying cable TV signals in the capital. But, owing to ongoing construction works by Delhi Metro and other agencies, underground cabling in a large area has been damaged.

The cable industry has put forth several suggestions before the Delhi government to tackle the issue of removal of overhead cable wires. These include formation of special corridors for cable laying by single-window clearance for permissions from various government agencies like NDMC, MCD, PWD and DDA, and laying of common ducts and common fibre.

"Once we get the government support on our suggestions, it won't take more than four-five months to shift overhead cable wires underground," said Sharma. All stakeholders concerned are likely to meet again later this week.

Pakistan: 75 member contingent for CWG 2010

Pakistan on Thursday finalised a 75-member contingent to represent the country in the Commonwealth Games to be held from October 3-14 in New Delhi.

Pakistan Olympic Association President Lt Gen Syed Arif Hasan said at a press conference after a general council meeting here that the country could win medals from tennis, weightlifting, wrestling and hockey.

"Pakistan will take part in athletics, swimming, boxing, hockey, squash, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. We have fair chance to win medals in tennis, weightlifting, wrestling and hockey," he said.

He said tennis star Aisam-ul Haq has confirmed his participation in the Games and his presence will be a big inspiration for Pakistan as he is a medal prospect.

The POA chief said preparations would start soon as Pakistan is participating in three Asian events are lined up besides the Commonwealth Games.

"We are in touch with sports ministry to start preparations for the Games as in 2010 Pakistan will also be taking part in Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, Asian Games in China and Asian Beach Games in Muscat," he said.

JNU to remain open during CWG..!!

As the Delhi government spruces up its plans to involve the Delhiites, especially the youngsters, in the upcoming Commonwealth Games (CWG) by sending across a circular to all central universities and schools to shift their academic calendar, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is the only exception to deny the adjustment.

Although all the institutions in the capital are keen on closing their functioning during the mega event, JNU has clearly told the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry that it would not be shutting down.

Ramadhikari Kumar, rector, JNU, says that, "Unlike others, we follow a semester system which does not have an autum break in between. Which is why, October for us is crucial and busy. Closing for ten days would mean a huge loss."

The Delhi government in its recent directive for the CWG had announced the closure of all schools and educational institutes in the capital so that the students are able to attend the event and ease traffic congestion.

Institutions such as Delhi University (DU), Indraprastha University (IPU) and Delhi Technological University (DTU) have consented to the government's circular.

P.B. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, DTU, which also follows the semester system, said that, "We will adjust our academic calendar and will try to make up for the suspended classes either during summer or winter break."

The JNU authorities feel that, their normal routine will not affect the traffic in any way due to its strategically isolated location of the residential colonies.

Kumar added that, "We are located on one extreme corner of the city, due to which I am sure that there will not be any traffic congestion on the roads. Moreover, almost 85% of our students live on campus so, there’s no question of jam."

The JNU students who have volunteered for the Games however have their share of worries to share. "Since the university follows the semester system, it will involve continuous evaluation of our studies. We cannot afford to miss the classes," said a student on the condition of anonymity.

Licensed Tourist guides for Games2010

Ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh will soon get tourist guides who will not only have certificates declaring their knowledge of local tourist places and monuments, but also licence from the Centre that will enable them to enter protected monuments.

The first batch of the state’s first ever Tourist Guide Training Certificate Programme, initiated by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Tourism, has completed the course. Soon, these 899 youths will get their licences from the Centre.

The Tourism department has already spoken to the Uttar Pradesh Hotel and Restaurant Association (UPHRA) for promoting these certified guides. The department has also written to the Union Human Resource Development Ministry for giving licences to the certified guides which, the officials say, would be given by March.

Till then, the youths will be given on-job training at various hotels in the tourist destinations.

The course began in November 2009 in Lucknow. The candidates — some of whom were already working as tourist guides in places like Agra, Varanasi, Mathura, Kushinagar — were chosen from all across the state.

While hotels will be promoting these guides who will charge a fixed sum of money, it will be up to the tourists to opt for them. These guides have been trained by experts in subjects like history, apart from foreign languages.

Principal Secretary (Tourism) Avanish Awasthi said: “By the time the Commonwealth Games begin, our guides will start working at the tourist destinations.”

Indian TT probables for CWG2010

The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) named 25 probables for the Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010. The probables will also be representing the nation in various international events till the mega event in October.

Those selected include Sharath Kamal, Soumyadeep Roy, Subhajit Saha, A Amalraj, Sourva Chakraborty, Soumyajit Ghosh, Zubin Kumar, R Abhishek, Sanil Shetty, Devesh Karia, G Satuyan, Harmeet Desai, Poulami Ghatak, Madhurika Patkar, Divya Deshpande, K Shamini, Pooja Sahasrabudhye, Ankita Das, Mamta Prabhu, Mouma Das, Neha Agarwal, Soumi Mondal, A Niveditha, Mallika Bhandarkar and Prajakta Tipale.

The selection committee meeting, attended by Kamlesh Mehta, Mantu Ghosh, Manjit Dua, Mir Qasim Ali, Indu Puri, DR Choudhary, VK Bawa and national coach Bhawani Mukherjee, also named Sharath Kamal and Poulami Ghatak for the Asia Cup, to be held in China, from March 18 to 21.

CWG Games "ecological code"

The landmark ecological code for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, aimed to ensure reasonable consumption of electricity and water in all the stadiums, was unveiled today.

Releasing the ecological code along with Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Organising Committee, said, "this measure would go a long way to limit the carbon footprint in Delhi and would strive to make the XIX Commonwealth Games pollution free."

Speaking at the milestone achievement, Mr. Kalmadi, said, "Releasing of the code is the first step towards ensuring that we are successful in our mission of conducting the first ever green games in the history of the Commonwealth Games."

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Chairman, Green Games Sub-committee OC, CWG Delhi 2010 acknowledged the Organising Committee's initiative to launch the drive towards green games concept, educating people and creating awareness for environmental protection.

The Organising Committee is deeply and passionately committed towards preserving and restoring the environment and establishing a benchmark for low carbon sporting events and will be successful in showcasing Delhi 2010 as sustainable "Green Games", added Mr. Kalmadi.

In his concluding remark, Mr. Kalmadi, gently reminded everyone on the importance of preserving our environment. He said, " Paidh Hai to Sher Hai" which literally translates into that we will have tigers till the time we have trees.

Smt. Dikshit, Delhi Chief Minister stated that "all stadia are being constructed to ensure reasonable consumption of electricity and water in stadia during the games." "There is also focus on bio-diverse plantation to offset the carbon footprint", she added.

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, reiterated that the XIX Commonwealth Games would be the "greenest Commonwealth Games ever." He further went on to add that "the games would leave a legacy beyond roads and infrastructure; one of greater consciousness of the environment."

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.

NZ Labour party stands up against terror threat

The Labour Party has backed the New Zealand hockey team’s decision to go to India next week and participate in October’s Commonwealth Games. This is despite of a threat made against every competing country’s athletes from militant Kashmiri groups with links to Al Qaeda.

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Chris Carter said recent terror attacks in India, including last week’s bombing in Pune, meant threats have to be taken seriously in that country.

“However we have to recognise that almost every large international gathering now has some security risks,” Chris Carter said.

“Last night I spoke to the Secretary General of India’s ruling Congress Party, Rahul Gandhi, and he assured me that internal security is a key priority of India’s Government, and he believes they are making good progress in spite of last week’s attack.

“The National-Act Government will need to liaise closely with India’s Government to ensure that all security measures have been taken to keep our visitors safe.

“Naturally our athletes and visitors to India will have to make a judgement call as to whether they are prepared to travel. However Labour believes that boycotting sporting events in India this year would give the terrorists the victory they are seeking, to disrupt India’s international sports programme.”

“Labour is standing by our athletes. We want them to be safe, but we also believe that they should participate in the various sporting events that will be occurring in India this year.”

Australia committed to Commonwealth Games: ACGA

Australian Commonwealth Games Association has defied the new terror threats issued to foreign players during this year's sporting events in India and said the nation remains committed to sending a team for the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

"That threat does not affect our current position of going to the Games. We are committed to going. You can't be uncertain on that. The athletes are training," ACGA chief executive Perry Crosswhite said.

"You can't have them wondering what's the point? Why get up at 5.30 and get into the pool for training every morning?

"You can't have a situation where you might go and you might not," he was quoted as saying Australian Associated Press, a news agency here.

Commonwealth Shooting Championship to start today

The Commonwealth Shooting Championship will kick-off today in Delhi at Dr. Karni Singh Range. The city will play host to 1,000 athletes and officials from 30 countries for 12 day event which will end on 28-Feb.

The Commonwealth Shooting event will kick-off 2 month long sports celebrations in India. The Commonwealth Shooting Championship will be followed up immediately by Hockey World Cup which will start on 28-Feb and end on 14-Mar. IPL, the most popular cricket league in the world will follow Hockey World cup.

While there were concerns related to security of participants, no country has pulled out of the event. Delhi government has also assured of fool proof security for all the participants.

The Commonwealth Shooting Championship will be held at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range at Suraj Kund Road. The range has been recently remodelled and is one of the most advanced ranges in the world. Dr. Karni Singh Range was originally built for 9th Asian Games 1982.

CBRN vehicle for CWG

With security becoming a major concern during the upcoming Commonwealth Games, a UK-based chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) detection solution manufacturer has offered a reconnaissance vehicle for use during the major sports event in October this year.

Vasus, as the CBRN vehicle produced by the Tata’s in India is called, has been showcased during the ongoing Defence Expo.

“We have offered this vehicle, which can detect any leak of deadly chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear substances within a five-km radius, to the Home Ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for use during the Commonwealth Games,” UK company Bruker Detection’s representative said here.

With the threat of terror groups laying their hands on CBRN substances to mount an attack on civilian population increasing in the recent years, the vehicle would come in handy to immediately detect such leaks and to contain it, he said.

UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation’s head Richard Paniguian said his country realised that the security threats faced by India, which is hosting the CWG this year, was similar to that of Britain, which would host the 2012 Olympics.

“Hence we have offered this vehicle, produced in India by Tata with British technological help to the Home Ministry and NDMA for use during CWG,” Paniguian said.

Delhi schools to close during Commonwealth Games

All government schools in the national capital will remain closed during the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from October 3 to 14, chief minister Sheila Dikshit said on Monday.

Announcing the decision after a Cabinet meeting, she said the holiday period during Dusshera has been rescheduled so that students could enjoy the mega sporting event.

"We have made adjustments in the holiday period around Dusshera (October 17) to keep the schools closed during the Commonwealth Games," Dikshit told reporters.

"To make up for the extended holiday period around Dusshera, we have decided to cut down on the summer vacation," she said.

Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said the decision would also help in easing the heavy traffic during the Games period.

"Now the Autumn break will be for 17 days instead of the current nine days while we have decided to cut down on summer vacation by 12 days," Lovely said.

He said the winter vacation will be from December 25 to January 9, 2011.

Lovely said the number of total academic days in the current year will be 217 instead of last year's 215 days.

The decision by Delhi government is non-binding on private schools. They will take decision based on government directive as to close the schools during Commonwealth Games, or not.

CWG impact: Delhi Spas and Gyms to get ratings

To ensure better standards in the wellness services, gymnasiums, spas and other such centres running in the capital will soon be rated on the basis of their quality ahead of 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The National Accreditation Board For Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), a constituent board of Quality Council of India, has started the process of bringing fitness centres under the grading system.

According to NABH, all gymnasiums, spas, skincare centres, cosmetic care centres, fitness centres and immunisation centres are eligible to get accreditation.

"All wellness centres can fill application form and our specially constituted committee subjected to satisfactory inspection of the facility will give them a certificate of quality services." said Girdhar J Gyani, Secretary General, Quality Council of India.

He said with the lack of any guidelines and standards in the field and mushrooming of unorganised players, accreditation of wellness centres will be a guiding light for the industry in improving the quality of care provided to the general public.

The accreditation programme in Delhi is expected to be completed before the Commonwealth Games.

"Initially, we decided to limit rankings to the national capital. But now we have decided to extend this project to all over the country and priority will be given to places which are expected to get maximum visitors during the Commonwealth Games." said Gyani.

The certification will be initially for three years and will be done by the officers of the accredited agencies, to be selected by QCI.

The initiative, officer say, is getting good support from all the gyms and spas owners.

Gyani said "the standards focus on all aspects of service delivery like customer rights and education, infection control practices, trained and experienced staff, infrastructure, environment, safety, statutory and regulatory compliances."

CWG volunteer program registration closed

It is to inform all concerned that the online volunteer registration process will be temporarily closed. The last date for registration is 15 February 2010.

(CLICK HERE: Volunteer training begins at Amity Campus)

Individuals who wish to register as volunteer and those who have registered online but have ‘saved their forms as draft’ need to submit the form latest by 11:50 p.m. on 15 February 2010.

We will keep you informed regarding Commonwealth Games volunteer program.

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Volunteer Program FAQ 3: Training, roles etc

Q. Do I get to choose my volunteer position ?

Roles will be assigned based on the location of your accommodation during the Games, as well as your availability, skills and experience. Where possible, your preference will also be considered.

(CLICK HERE: Volunteer training begins at Amity Campus)

Q. I want to volunteer along with my colleagues in a specific area. How do I register?

Every Volunteer has to register individually on the official website to be a part of Delhi2010 volunteer team.


Q. Will I get paid ?

You are unpaid members of the Delhi 2010 volunteer team. Therefore, as a volunteer you do not receive wages, fees, honorariums, tips, gratuities or reimbursements for the work you undertake for the event.

Q. When will training begin ?

To ensure that you have the necessary skills and information to perform your assigned roles effectively, we will provide both general and role specific training. The total duration of the training is from May 2010-October 2010.
General training will commence from May 2010-August 2010.
Role specific training from July 2010-September 2010.
Leadership training is from August 2010-September 2010
Venue specific training from August 2010-October 2010

Q. What kind of role I might be given ?

We will try to assign you a volunteer's role as per your past experiences or in accordance with the preference you indicated in your application. However, given that certain roles have been oversubscribed, this is likely to be difficult. We encourage you to be as open-minded as possible about your options.

Q. What hours, days and weeks am I expected to volunteer ?

The length of your involvement will depend on your assigned role. We will discuss your availability further during the assessment process. The longer and more flexible your availability, the more roles you can be considered for. A normal volunteer day will usually be 8-10 hours, including breaks, but some roles may occasionally require longer or shorter shifts. All volunteers engaged during the Games are required to be available for a minimum of 10 shifts and are expected to be available for the full period from 3 to 14 October 2010.

Q. I want to volunteer, but I'd also like to buy a ticket to watch an event. Can I do both ?

We want you to experience as much of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi as you can. If you purchase a ticket to view an event, we'll do our best to schedule your shifts accordingly, however we can’t make any guarantees. Please keep in mind that we require a minimum time commitment from our volunteers.

Q. Will I be provided with any kind of medical facility during my service ?

Yes, you will be provided with the medical facility when you are on duty.

Q. What if I lose my uniform or accreditation card? Will I be issued with replacement ?

The uniform issued to you is a controlled item. Volunteers without uniforms will not be allowed into the venues to perform their duties. The replacement for the uniform will be rarest of the possibility depending on the discretion of the management.

Q. Will I be reimbursed for my transport and meals ?

You will be provided with meals and refreshments during training days as well as during deployment for the Games, and public transport will be free – you just have to show your accreditation card.


Q. What if I do not turn up for my duties during the Games ?

We are confident that you will be committed and turn up during the Games. In the event of ‘no show’, we will conduct an investigation on the reasons for the ‘no show’. If the reasons are unjustifiable, the person/s will also have to return all uniform, equipment, and accreditation passes issued.

Q. What kind of training will I have to go through and what is the time period that I will have to commit ?

Attendance for all training sessions is compulsory. Volunteers who do not attend training will be risking their volunteering opportunities. You will have to go through general training which will give you background information of the event. Role specific training will depend on the specific roles assigned to you and this will help you to perform your role effectively. Venue specific training will familiarise you with the various facilities and emergency procedures of the particular venues assigned to you. The fourth part of training is event leadership which will be given to only to those who will be responsible for managing/supervising a group of volunteer. These training sessions will be delivered over a period of four to five days.


Q. What happens if I decide not to volunteer for the Games after going through the training ?

You may decide to withdraw anytime. However, you must return all uniform and equipment, and accreditation passes issued to you.

Volunteer Program FAQ 2: Communication and Registration

Q. How will I find out about the latest news and developments ?

Electronic communication will be the main form of contact to all volunteer applicants. Candidates are encouraged to visit this volunteer website regularly for information on status updates, schedules and training sessions

(CLICK HERE: Volunteer training begins at Amity Campus)

Q. How do I know if my application has been received ?You’ll receive an acknowlegement e-mail confirming that your application has been received

Q. I don't have an e-mail address. What should I do ?

If you don't have an e-mail address you can set one up for free through different webmail service providers. You can also contact your Internet service provider for further options. Please keep in mind that you'll need your own e-mail address to apply for a volunteer role. For security reasons, you and another volunteer applicant cannot share the same e-mail address

Q. I do not have frequent access to the Internet. Will this affect my chances of getting picked as a volunteer ?

All our communications will be done online and it is essential for you to have Internet access and easy access to your e-mails.

Q. What happens after I submit my application ?

We will try to match your interests with the volunteer opportunities available. If you’re shortlisted, we’ll contact you. As volunteers with different skills may be required for each phase in the run-up to the Games, we may contact each of you at different times. There are many areas in which you could volunteer. We’ll try our best to match your interests with the opportunities available, but please understand that a perfect fit may not always be possible. If you have not heard from us, please be patient. This means we’re still trying our best to match you to the most appropriate volunteer opportunity. When one becomes available, we’ll be sure to get in touch with you.

Q. What do I do if my contact or personal details change?

Please contact us immediately if your personal or contact details change. If you have applied for a volunteer role online you can update your details online. Login with the username and password you used to submit your original application.

CWG Volunteer program FAQ 1: Requirements and Eligibility

Q. I signed up to the volunteer list during the Commonwealth Games General Assembly 2009. Do I need to go through the application process again?

Yes, you must fill the online application form. Thousands of Games enthusiasts expressed their interest to volunteer during the General Assembly. This was a great way to gauge interest from potential volunteers, however the application form is different and will capture your skills, background and qualifications, as well as your availability to volunteer.

(CLICK HERE: Volunteer training begins at Amity Campus)

Q. I am not staying in India. Can I participate as an international volunteer ?

International volunteers are welcome to join us in this exciting event. However, all travel and accommodation costs and arrangements must be borne by the volunteer. International volunteers – like all other volunteers – must register through the Delhi 2010 website and also fulfil all training requirements in preparation for the final selection.

Q. Is there a maximum age to volunteer for Delhi2010?

There is no age limit for 2010 Commonwealth Games volunteers.

Q. I am a senior citizen and want to volunteer for the Games. Is there enough scope for me to be a part of the volunteer team?

Certainly! There are many available volunteer opportunities for anyone who is committed and willing to help the Commonwealth Games. Many volunteer functions require mature individuals and we welcome people of all age groups to apply.

Q. I am physically-challenged and have special needs when moving around, should these be considered in my application?

There are opportunities for physically-challenged person/s, although limited in number. Please state your condition in detail in the application form.

Q. I want to volunteer along with my colleagues in a specific area. How do I register?

Every Volunteer has to register individually on the official website to be a part of Delhi2010 volunteer team.

CWG pictograms inspired by Indian folk art

Bangalore-based design agency, Idiom, has created the logo, pictograms and mascot for this year's 19th Commonwealth Games which will take place in Delhi. The pictograms are, explains principal designer on the project Sonia Manchada, a blend of the pictograms designed by Otl Aicher for the 1972 Munich Olympic games – and Sanjhi, a form of Indian folk art.

Sanjhi is a traditional form of artwork created by paper-cutting stencils which are (and have been for centuries) used to decorate palaces and temples for celebrations. "The word Sanjhi is derived from 'sanjaa', meaning 'dressing up/beautifying'

"The pictograms will dress up Delhi and get the capital ready for the Commonwealth Games."

Unlike the complicated tendering processes in place which encourages a multitude of design agencies to apply to design various aspects of the communication collateral for London's forthcoming 2012 Olympic Games - Idiom has been assigned with creating the entire "look and feel" of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The Commonwealth games 2010 logo created by the company is inspired by the spoked wheel or 'chakra' that sits in the centre of the Indian national flag. "The chakra has been freed up, energised," explains Manchada of the approach to the logo's design. "The collective energy of our people will ensure that we don't just keep plodding along, but that we rise up!"

CWG: Global telecast deal to be finalized soon

The government of India has denied recent reports that there were any "slippages" in finalizing the contract with British company SIS Live which will broadcast Commonwealth Games and said a formal announcement on the deal with the company would be made soon.

I&B ministry sources said DG Doordarshan Aruna Sharma had assured the ministry's oversight committee (formed for supervising broadcast related work for Commonwealth Games) that all pending issues had been sorted out with SIS and the contract would soon be signed.

"The oversight committee met two days back and DG (Doordarshan) assured that the contract has more or less been finalised and barring some minor issues, it would be soon signed and sealed. We have already sought the written opinion of the solicitor general and the moment the contract is finalised, there would be a formal announcement," the source said

SIS Live had been finalised from among several bidders by Prasar Bharati (which is the host broadcaster of Commonwealth Games) in October last year. However, the formalities regarding preparing a contract has been held up for several months. The ministry has referred to the obstacles as "minor issues" but matters had come to such a head that the ministry had to take the solicitor general's view

Ministry sources, however, dismissed concerns over the delay in preparations for Commonwealth Games saying that work was going on as per schedule and there were no slippages. "Only some minor issues are to be addressed, which have been taken care of," sources said.

UN Environmental program for Games

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is involved in ambitious projects across the world to minimise the environmental impacts of international games.

The Canadian Government is partnering with the UN body for making this year's Vancouver Winter Olympics green.

"The athletes will not be the only ones going for gold - the game organisers are also shooting for the stars with a series of ambitious environmental goals." says UNEP. UNEP is also involved in partnerships to help green the Commonwealth Games which will take place in New Delhi in October 2010, as well as the Indian Premier League (IPL) for cricket.

The Vancouver Organising Committee (VANOC) have been working with the UNEP over the last three years in a bid to enhance the event's environmental performance and increase green awareness. The Olympics organisers have focused on minimising the event's carbon impact, with clean technology choices, an expanded transport system for the city, green construction for the Olympic venues, and a commitment to offset direct carbon emissions from the Games. Some of the environment-friendly features of the Winter Olympic sites include low-flow toilets that use rainwater for flushing, energy-efficient grass-clad roofs and separate bins for compostable waste. The Games' green performance will be reviewed by UNEP in an Environmental Assessment Report which will be published later in 2010. The report will look at areas such as the greening of the venues, sustainable transport and waste management, and Vancouver 2010's climate neutrality target and work with non-governmental organisations. VANOC is also planning to use the Games to inspire broader awareness and action on climate-change solutions. UNEP's work with Vancouver 2010 is one of several partnerships with major sporting events to help lower the carbon footprint of sports and raise green awareness. It is advising the organisers of the Sochi 2014 Olympics in Russia, and has also worked with Torino 2006 and Beijing 2008 - producing an Environmental Assessment of the Beijing Games that assessed how well the 2008 organisers fulfilled their eco-pledges. This year, UNEP is partnering with the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where it is helping to fund solar-powered and energy-efficient street lamps, traffic lights and billboards in several host cities around the country.

CWG Disaster Management Planning

A round the-clock disaster management control room has been set up by the government to make the pleasant Commonwealth Games 2010 without the occurrence of any incident in the East District.

The control room will work in 3 shifts of 8 hours each. In each shift 2 civil defence volunteer will work on rotating basis. Games Village website also has an up control room. Through it direct networking will be possible with other control rooms for quick action during any contingency. According to the DDMA (Delhi Disaster Management Authority) officers, it deals with odd conditions in the city like bomb-blasts, earthquakes, floods, road accidents, fires and building collapses.

The Project Officer, Santosh Gupta, told that about eleven associates of the disaster team are nodal officers of different departments.

Volunteers will have the responsibility to give response of calls, as they will work as IMT (Incident Management Team). They will also work for the SRT (Special Response Team) which is divisional stage team.

United Nations Environmental program to ensure Green games

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is involved in ambitious projects across the world to minimise the environmental impacts of international games.

The Canadian Government is partnering with the UN body for making this year's Vancouver Winter Olympics green.

''The athletes will not be the only ones going for gold - the game organisers are also shooting for the stars with a series of ambitious environmental goals,'' says UNEP. UNEP is also involved in partnerships to help green the Commonwealth Games which will take place in New Delhi in October 2010, as well as the Indian Premier League (IPL) for cricket. The Vancouver Organising Committee (VANOC) have been working with the UNEP over the last three years in a bid to enhance the event's environmental performance and increase green awareness. The Olympics organisers have focused on minimising the event's carbon impact, with clean technology choices, an expanded transport system for the city, green construction for the Olympic venues, and a commitment to offset direct carbon emissions from the Games. Some of the environment-friendly features of the Winter Olympic sites include low-flow toilets that use rainwater for flushing, energy-efficient grass-clad roofs and separate bins for compostable waste.

The Games' green performance will be reviewed by UNEP in an Environmental Assessment Report which will be published later in 2010. The report will look at areas such as the greening of the venues, sustainable transport and waste management, and Vancouver 2010's climate neutrality target and work with non-governmental organisations. VANOC is also planning to use the Games to inspire broader awareness and action on climate-change solutions. UNEP's work with Vancouver 2010 is one of several partnerships with major sporting events to help lower the carbon footprint of sports and raise green awareness. It is advising the organisers of the Sochi 2014 Olympics in Russia, and has also worked with Torino 2006 and Beijing 2008 - producing an Environmental Assessment of the Beijing Games that assessed how well the 2008 organisers fulfilled their eco-pledges. This year, UNEP is partnering with the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where it is helping to fund solar-powered and energy-efficient street lamps, traffic lights and billboards in several host cities around the country.

Schools selected for CWG opening ceremony

Three NDMC and one Navyug schools have been shortlisted by the civic agency for participation in the opening ceremony of Commonwealth Games 2010 and selected students from these institutions will now be given training.

"The students of three NDMC and one Navyug schools have been selected for the opening ceremony of Commonwealth Games," Chairperson of NDMC Parimal Rai said today.

He was speaking at a function for distribution of awards to the students of NDMC and Navyug schools for sports and co-curricular activities.

Rai hoped that the students will present their best performance at the Games opening ceremony.

Officials said selected students from these schools will now be given training for their performance at the sporting extravaganza to be held here in October this year.

Ten NDMC schools students have been awarded scholarships for the "best sports students" for the year 2009-10.

CWG Delhi 2010: Adidas to sponsor team England

Commonwealth Games England today announced sportswear manufacturer adidas as their official clothing partner for the much anticipated 2010 Games to be held in Delhi this October.

The Commonwealth Games is a unique opportunity for English athletes to compete as a nation at a multi-sport event on the world stage, and is broadcast extensively around the world.

The appointment of one of the world’s great sporting brands supporting the England Team is a tremendous vote of confidence for the athletes heading off to Delhi.

England will be sending their largest ever team to an overseas Games, with almost 400 athletes making the trip as they hope to make the Games one of their most successful ever.

Sir Andrew Foster, Chair of Commonwealth Games England commented, “The partnership with adidas is fantastic news. By providing our athletes with such a top quality clothing partner it really sets the stall for the standards we want to achieve in Delhi, and gives us the best possible chance of success”.

Robin Money, Head of Sports Marketing, adidas UK & Ireland said, “adidas has a long heritage in supplying teams at major sporting events and is proud that almost 400 athletes of the England Team will receive the very best bespoke team apparel delegation wear for Delhi 2010”.

CWG: 70% hotel rooms ready

The XXVIIth meeting of the ‘Task Force’ constituted for the purpose of monitoring the augmentation of hotel accommodation in the National Capital Region of Delhi was held in late January. The review of the hotel projects coming up for the Commonwealth Games indicated that 7,307 rooms have been completed which is 70% of the overall 10,540 ‘definite’ rooms.

The performance of hotel projects of Haryana is commendable as 85% of the 6,766 ‘definite’ rooms have been already completed and efforts are being made to complete the balance rooms as early as possible. Several hotels in Haryana are in the process of receiving the completion certificate and are likely to be inaugurated in the coming few months. The hotel promoters are striving to complete the projects and operationalize the hotels by 31st March, 2010 in ordered to receive the benefits of the Five Year Tax Holiday announced by the Govt. for hotels coming up for the Games in the National Capital Region of Delhi.

The progress made by all the segments for the overall availability of rooms from the existing hotels, new hotel projects, licensed Guest Houses, Bed & Breakfast Establishment and DDA Housing Units located at Vasant Kunj was found to be satisfactory.

Secretary Tourism Shri Sujit Banerjee also undertook a site visit on 30.01.2010 of the surrounding areas of Paharganj which has clusters of Guest Houses and the road leading to the New Delhi Railway Station alongwith officials of various implementing agencies involved in the beautification / upgradation of the infrastructure viz. MCD, NDMC, Govt. of Delhi, Delhi Jal Board etc. He emphasized the need for improving the Chelmsford Road leading to New Delhi Railway Station from Connaught Place which is the leading road not only to the Railway Station but also the Guest Houses located in Paharganj area. Secretary (Tourism) also inaugurated one of the Information Kiosks named ‘Aap ke Dwar’ set up by MCD on Arakansha road and also saw the rotaries / parks constructed by MCD at Dayal Chowk. The work of MCD done for visibly impaired pedestrians by using yellow tiles on the side walks of Chitragupta Road was appreciated. The beautification works under the metroline at Dayal Chowk was also appreciated. The works being carried out for beautification / upgradation by the various implementing agencies is being reviewed and monitored regularly to ensure that time schedules are strictly observed so that the works are completed in time for the Games.

Cricket gets IOC recognition

Cricket, sports climbing and power boating were formally endorsed Thursday as recognized sports by the International Olympic Committee, the first step toward eligibility for inclusion at the 2020 Summer Games.

The condensed Twenty20 format has grown rapidly in popularity over the last three years, led by the lucrative Indian Premier League and the relatively short time frame for matches.

Cricket was played at the Olympics in 1900, when a team from Britain beat France in a two-day match. The 50-over format for cricket has been played at the Commonwealth Games and will be on the program for the Asian Games at Guangzhou, China, in November. Those are the only two feasible cricket options for the Olympics, with a test match lasting up to five days and only seriously played by 10 countries.

"They are recognized federations by us, which now means they can take part in IOC events and eventually obviously postulate themselves if they wish to take part in future Olympics," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said after a meeting of the IOC's general assembly. "Until you're a recognized sport, you can't do that.

"It could be seen as the first stage. It allows them to take part in programs that the IOC runs."

Rugby sevens and golf were the most recent additions to the Olympic sports program and will be played in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Baseball and softball were dropped from the Olympic program after the 2008 Beijing Games.

The next vote on the sports program is expected to be held in 2013, when the decision on host city for 2020 will be taken by the IOC.

Common Wealth Games: London officers meet Delhi Police

London metropolitan police officials are understood to have met senior Delhi police officials in the capital today to discuss different measures and issues concerning the Commonwealth Games in October this year.

According to a senior police official, the delegation had a half-hour meeting with special commissioner of police (administration), Neeraj Kumar among other officials to discuss the mega-event's security.

"The meeting was related to Commonwealth Games. Both the parties have exchanged their concern and preparedness related to the Games," the official said requesting anonymity.

India is hosting its first-ever Commonwealth Games between October 3-14 in the national capital.

SAF Games medals final tally

SAF Games medals tally: 09-Feb-2010

Click here to see 2010 Commonwealth Games medals tally

Click here to see Commonwealth Games medals tally

Click here to see final SAF Games medal tally

Games project displaces diplomats

New Delhi's preparations for the Commonwealth Games have forced a group of Pakistani diplomats to search for new homes after their residential enclave was earmarked for a new road project.

The state-owned Delhi Development Authority (DDA) said the houses of the four Pakistani envoys stood on an 11.2 acre (4.5 hectare) site occupied illegally by a private builder in the Indian capital's upscale Vasant Vihar diplomatic enclave.

Diplomats from Australia and the Ivory Coast also have to leave their homes after the DDA got control of the plot in August last year following a marathon legal tussle.

"There is a sense of loss," said Shah Zaman Khan, public affairs minister at the Pakistani embassy.

The leafy bungalows listed for demolition had been home to successive Pakistani diplomats posted in India since 1991.

"It was almost a Pakistan compound in India and now the four of us will be scattered across the city. Our families will miss this place terribly."

The road that will be built through the site is part of a massive infrastructure project aimed at preparing New Delhi for the Commonwealth Games in October.

Rights group say 100,000 homeless people in New Delhi have been kicked out of night shelters because of the city-wide facelift.

CWG: Spain offers help to Delhi for facelift

The city of Barcelona, which has hosted a successful Olympic Games, offered its cooperation and expertise in beautifying Delhi before the Commonwealth Games 2010 starting on October 3.

A Spanish delegation, led by Ambassador Ion de la Riva and including director of international relations of Barcelona City Council and a former director of the department of urban planning called on Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at her office.

“The city of Barcelona has offered to sign a friendship agreement with Delhi. Director of international relations of Barcelona City Council Josep Roca and a former director of the department of urban planning during the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Josep Acebillo, were keen to know about ongoing infrastructure development in Delhi in view of the Commonwealth Games,” said an official statement here.

“They offered to render their constructive cooperation and expertise in setting up public art in various parts of the city,” the statement added.

Dikshit expressed her gratitude and stated that friendship agreement will prove to be beneficial to both the cities.

SAF Games medals tally: 08-Feb-2010

Click here to see Commonwealth Games medals tally

Click here to see Commonwealth Games medals tally

CWG: NZ to train offshore due to pollution

New Zealand teams are planning a hit-and-run mission at October's Commonwealth Games in India, not because of security fears, but because of Delhi's high pollution.

A report by a leading sports scientist has warned New Zealand athletes to prepare offshore and fly to India as late as three days before their events, to minimise the effects of air pollution. Usually, athletes would spend a fortnight in the Games village before their events.

But, after visiting Delhi last October, New Zealand Academy of Sport performance physiologist Paul Laursen told national governing bodies they should instead prepare in Singapore, or alternatively in the Australian cities of Perth and Darwin.

"Beijing Olympics was considered pretty bad, so imagine almost two times that level of pollution in Delhi," Laursen told the Sunday Star-Times.

He said a recent report suggested pollution levels in Delhi of 144 ppm (parts per million) compared to 88 in Beijing. The city has more than four million vehicles and nearly half run on diesel, leading to high levels of carbon monoxide in the air. Forbes magazine recently rated Delhi the 24th dirtiest city in the world.

Laursen has investigated venues and facilities in Singapore, where Canada and Australia's Games' federations have already made bookings. Among individual athletes who plan to leave their arrival into Delhi late is star shotputter Valerie Vili, who is considering basing herself in Darwin.

"It's best not to arrive too soon," said Laursen. Singapore was chosen because it is slightly hotter than India, has relatively clean air, has direct flights to Auckland and Delhi, and is just a two-hour time change from Delhi.

Worst hit by the pollution will be endurance athletes competing outdoors. Laursen said he couldn't "even imagine" how competitors in the cycling road races would fare in such conditions.

Athletics New Zealand chief executive Scott Newman said the NZOC had been "very honest" in briefing sports about the issue, saying "we've got no problem" with individual athletes making their own travel plans.

CWG: Haryana needs 350 cr for security setup

Haryana on Sunday demanded one-time grant of over Rs 300 crore from the Centre to help it in strengthening police infrastructure to ensure law and order ahead of Commonwealth Games to be held in neighbouring Delhi.

Hooda urged the Centre to provide special grant of Rs 312 crore for strengthening the police infrastructure in the National Capital Region (NCR).

He sought Rs 35.41 crore for achieving integration of infrastructure and security-related technology for the Commonwealth Games, slated to be held in October 2010, and megacity status for the NCR towns of Gurgaon and Faridabad.

Proposals for the one-time grant and security needs for the Games have already been submitted to the Centre.

Speaking at the Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security, convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here, Hooda demanded three more India Reserve Battalions and one women's Battalion to meet the challenges posed by the rapid economic expansion and the resultant population explosion in the NCR.

Outlining the steps taken to beef up security, especially in the NCR, Hooda said the state government had created police commissioner post for Faridabad, the second such set-up in the NCR after Gurgaon.

"We propose to raise four Quick Response Teams of Commandos on the pattern of NSG. They will be stationed at vulnerable locations such as Gurgaon, Faridabad, Panipat and Panchkula," the Chief Minister said.

On the issue of creation of State Industrial Security Force on the pattern of CISF, Hooda said that the matter, recently referred by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to the state government, was being examined on a priority basis.

The Chief Minister said that instructions had been issued to all district units for strengthening the security at places of worship, historical monuments and iconic installations.

Special steps have been taken to monitor the security of oil pipelines and installations like depots, godowns and refineries, among others.

"Oil installations should have the best possible security cover from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and a policy decision in this regard may be taken by the Central Government," Hooda said.

Commonwealth Games 2010 volunteering opportunities

Here is the list of volunteer positions open for Commonwealth Games 2010. Most of the vacancies will be filled by volunteers from various universities in Delhi and other parts of the countries.

READ Frequently asked questions about Commonwealth Games volunteer registration.

Volunteers from other states and countries, and volunteers of all age are welcome to join the program. Click here to read more about Commonwealth Games volunteer program.

Accreditation

Each visiting athlete, official and member of the Games workforce will be issued with an accreditation pass, identifying that person and his/her area access entitlements. Volunteers engaged in this area will create and issue accreditation passes and provide assistance with accreditation issues.

Accommodation Volunteers

The Accommodation team will support accommodation supervisors in catering to any requests guests have at respective locations, and ensure the smooth functioning of all operational tasks that are delegated by the accommodation supervisors.

Volunteers for Ceremonies

The ceremonies team will require people to fill a range of support activities for the opening and closing ceremonies such as marshalling, operations assistance and technical support.

CGA Relations volunteers

Liaison Officers are responsible for ensuring that respective Commonwealth Games 2010 Association(CGA) contingents/Commonwealth Games Federation(CGF)executive members/ VIP’s/dignitaries receive all requisite support for any issue/ assistance as requested.

Games Village volunteers

Commonwealth Games Village volunteers provide assistance to Games Village residents as well as to government officials and special guests.This may include administrative assistance, airport meet-and-greet services, and venue based assistance. Experience or skill in protocol or diplomacy is essential to these roles.

Communications (Technical)

Communications volunteers assist with Commonwealth Games 2010 venue operations, reporting and monitoring incidents in competition and non-competition venues. Other responsibilities include registering issues and the distribution/collection of communications equipment. Some communications roles may require prior experience in working with radio systems and communications protocol.

Logistics Volunteers

Volunteers for logistic area will work in Logistics stores and will, move and provide the furniture, fixtures, equipments and supplies to the Games event programme areas and venues. Roles within logistics will largely involve coordination of activities.

Volunteers for Press Operations

Press Operations volunteers for 2010 Commonwealth Games provide services to the accredited press at the Main Press Centre and all competition venues. This support includes roles such as information assistants, help desk and photo journalist assistants.

Protocol

The Protocol team for CWG will ensure that all athletes and officials are given appropriate services in accordance to their title from different functions such as hospitality and transportation and assist the officials and athletes arriving at the airports. Responsible for the smooth execution of all operational tasks that are delegated and reporting protocol relating issues as observed to the Protocol Coordinator.

Spectator Services
Spectator Services volunteers will provide meet-and-greet services for spectators and the general public within the venues and in public areas. They will also provide Games specific directional assistance, information and general assistance, where required. These roles will involve contact with large numbers of spectators. A positive, spector focused attitude is essential for these roles. It requires a friendly but strong personality to interpret spectator needs and provide directions.

Sponsorship
Management of key sponsor relationships with the CW Games is the responsibility of the Sponsorship team. Hosting assistant roles will be required at some sporting venues and within the Sponsor Hospitality Village. This role will require strong customer service, attention to detail, a willingness to help and a positive attitude.

Technology volunteers
There are many opportunities for volunteers to fill technological roles, including help desk, customer support, computer and printer operators, time scoring and results, network systems and data entry etc. Related skills and experience are essential to be selected in this category.

Transport volunteers
Transport volunteers are required at all major CW Games venues and other key transport locations to assist with vehicle pool operations, load zone assistance and passenger service. A good customer service attitude is essential for registering as transport volunteer.

Workforce Operations
A Workforce Operations team will operate at all venues to provide assistance and support to the Games workforce and to managers of the workforce. Duties include assisting with workforce check-in, dealing with personnel related issues and schedule management. Experience in people management or human resources will be an advantage.