Commonwealth Games medals tally: Day 1

Commonwealth Games medals tally at the end of Day 1:

Click here to see day 1 results.

Click here to see Commonwealth Games medals tally at the end of day 2.

Kylie Palmer gets first swimming Gold

y 1 Australian swimmer Kylie Palmer has collected the first swimming gold medal at New Delhi 2010, winning the women's 200-meter freestyle in one of the highest-profile sports at the Commonwealth Games.

Palmer finished in 1 minute, 57.50 seconds, with Jazmin Carlin of Wales earning silver in 1:58.29 and Rebecca Adlington of England, the 400- and 800-meter Olympic champion, taking bronze in 1:58.47.

Four more swimming gold medals were to be awarded later Monday and 44 overall in the six-day program at the Dr. Dr. S. P. Mukherjee Aquatics Complex.

Nigeria gets first CWG Gold, India gets Silver & Bronze

Nigerian weightlifter Augustina Nwakolo scooped the first gold medal at the Delhi Commonwealth Games on Monday, dashing hosts India's hopes of claiming it for themselves.

The 17-year-old jumped into the arms of her coach to celebrate her victory in the women's 48kg category, which she nailed with Games records in both the snatch and clean and jerk for a total of 175kg.

Local hopes rested on Soniya Chanu's shoulders but she failed to match the Nigerian and had to settle for silver with 167kg ahead of compatriot Sandhya Rani Devi, who managed a combined 165kg.

Chanu cleared 167 kg to stand second in the event behind Nigerian woman Augustina Nwaokolo who hoisted 175 kg to win the contest. She also created a new Games record. Sandya Rani took the bronze with a total clearance of 165 kg.

Chanu and Nwaokolo were tied with the same clearance of 94 kg in the snatch competition but the latter, who weighed marginally less than the Indian woman, settled the issue in the clean and jerk category by clearing 8 kgs more.

Athletes parade concludes during CWG opening ceremony

Indian Contingent at CWG Opening Ceremony

Australia were the first country to walk into the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games Sunday evening. Netball player Sharelle Mcmahon was the flag bearer for the Australians.

The rest of 70 teams followed the Australian contingent.

(Read: Commonwealth Games opening ceremony starts)

Aminated Australians contingent entered the stadium cheered by loud roar of 60,000 fans.

England gave an Indian touch to their uniforms in their march past for athletes at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony Sunday. The team members walked into the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in red Nehru jackets with a loose-fitting white ensemble, resembling the Indian kurta pyjama.

Interestingly, Pakistani contingent got amongst loudest cheer from the Indian audiences. The players thoroughly enjoyed the welcome and some of them appeared amused.

South African contingent did not need any cheer as they came armed with vuvuzelas threatening to outdo a stadium packed with audience.

(Read our Commonwealth Games opening ceremony coverage)

All the teams were led out by Indian girls wearing the Indian sari in 71 different styles.

At last to come out was Indian contingent of 619 sportspersons led by Abhinav Bindra. They got standing ovation from all present in the stadium including President Patil, PM Manmohan Singh and Prince Charles.

Commonwealth Games opening ceremony starts

India is keen on delivering the best ever Commonwealth Games. Keeping with the promise of Organzing committee, the Games opening ceremony started with a bang with hundreds of drummers from across the country producing the most delicious music.

Watched by millions across the globe, the 19th Commonwealth Games got off to a spectacular start here amid traditional Indian music and a burst of colour at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the heart of the city.

Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Indian President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh watched as 1,000 drummers stirred up a thumping beat.

After the national anthem was sung, the opening act, Rhythm of India, set the mood for the much awaited sports event with electrifying energy.

The ’shankh naad’ (auspicious blowing of conch shells) and fireworks then lit the sky like dawn.

A helium aerostat crowned the stadium and suspended puppets danced to life when drummers dressed from across the country gathered in unison claiming that India has arrived.

In the center was child prodigy, Keshav on tabla giving lead to 1000 drummers from across the country.

The drumming session was followed by song "Swagatham" meaning 'Welcome' with interesting concept. At 4 corners of center stage were 100s of children under a white cloth. They painted "Mehndi" (traditional art form of decorating hand with red color) while being under the cloth providing a visual treat to 60000 spectators. To spectators it appeared as if the cloth is getting on the color automatically.

Security tight ahead of opening ceremony

As crowds begin spilling into the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium ahead of tonight's extravaganza, Indian authorities have dispatched thousands of security personnel to Delhi's streets in an unprecedented show of force.

Almost 100,000 police are manning city streets, along with 1,500 commandos, 100 anti-sabotage teams, 300 sniffer dogs and 15 bomb disposal squads.

Outside the stadium, spectators, media and dignitaries are going through security check-points involving bag searches, metal detectors, frisking and even radiation checks.

Overhead, military helicopters are buzzing across the skyline and unmanned aerial drones are said to be keeping an eye on possible air space intrusions.

But in its latest advice, the Government makes specific reference to the lack of security at areas around the city which are showing Games coverage on large public screens.

"There are plans to erect 25 large screens in various areas of New Delhi to allow people to watch the Commonwealth Games," the advice said.

"These sites will have a lower level of security than at the Games venues."

More than 60,000 people will watch the spectacle from within the stadium tonight.

The three-hour long show will celebrate many aspects of India's rich culture, including its traditions in yoga, its famous train journeys and a Bollywood-style finale featuring a theme song created by Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman of Slumdog Millionaire-fame.

About 250 members of the 546-strong Australian team will be the first athletes to enter the venue because Australia hosted the last Games in Melbourne.

The Australian team was earlier given a clean bill of health ahead of the opening ceremony.

As hosts of these Games, Indian athletes will come in last.

No video referrals in CWG hockey matches

Video referral will not be available in hockey at the troubled Commonwealth Games after the technology was requested too late, officials said.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has used a video referral system at all major tournaments since 2006, but it will not be functioning here, in the latest hitch to hit the Delhi games, said the official in charge of venues, AVS Prasad.

“It came to our notice very late. As soon as we came to know about it, we asked the FIH to send the equipment,” Prasad, said.

“We were a little late but there were some issues. We have to follow some procedures as it is public money we are dealing with. The FIH told us it is too late for the referral system to be put in place now.”

Veteran Australian hockey player Jamie Dwyer lamented the lack of a referral system.

“I like the video review system. It’s good for the game of hockey. It’s a shame that it is not here in such an important event,” Dwyer told reporters.

But Glenn Kirkham, who plays in the centre midfield position for the England team, said the technology could be a hindranceas well as a help.

However, both hockey players were impressed by the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, venue for the tournament.

Rwanda set for Commonwealth Games debut

These are the 19th Commonwealth Games, but for Rwanda, competing at the event will be a new experience - the country only joined the Commonwealth in November 2009.However, the central African country's small team in Delhi is ambitious for sporting success and they are eager for the chance to shape Rwanda's image across the world.

Nobody can forget the genocide of 1994 , in which more than 800,000 people died in systematic violence lasting more than three months, but Bonnie Mugabe, Rwanda's young chef de mission in Delhi, says it is time for his country's reputation to be broadened.

"To me, we don't only want Rwanda to be known for genocide - yes the genocide happened and the world should never forget that, but [we want to] put it to one side and develop our country, through sports and through tourism," he told me.

Earning success here in Delhi is his way of achieving that goal.

"If we win medals, the athletes will develop personally, they will get sponsorship, and sports [will] develop - so if we put on a good show and win some silverware it will help in the development of Rwanda as well," Mugabe said.

While Rwanda will be represented in only four disciplines at the Games - athletics, cycling, swimming and boxing - the country does have a chance of winning medals.

Mugabe is a confident man, saying: "I expect a medal in cycling and in the athletics."

The cycling team is lead by South Africa-based pro Adrien Niyonshuti, and the group has been training in that country to prepare specifically for Delhi and for the African Championships, which Rwanda hosts later this year.

In athletics - especially in the long distance events - Rwanda has experienced competitors who can challenge their near-neighbours Kenya and Uganda for honours, such as two-time Olympian Epiphanie Nyirabarame.

As Rwanda prepare to make their Commonwealth Games debut, there is one other message which their chef de mission wants to get across.

Every member of the team was affected by the genocide - some witnessed the murders of family members and only narrowly escaped with their own lives.

But the Mugabe wanted to make it clear that whatever their experience or ethnic background, the athletes and officials in Delhi represent a united country.

"Sport has done a lot in uniting Rwandans - it is the main tool which has helped in building the nation, 16 years after the genocide," he said.

"Right here we have a team and we are all Rwandans."

Queen's Baton reaches CWG village

The Queen's Baton for the XIXth Commonwealth Games 2010 reached the athletes' village on Saturday. Scores of people gathered to cheer the arrival of the Queen's Baton.

Former Olympian and Dronacharya Awardee Satpal Singh, who carried the baton into the village, said people were eagerly waiting for the Games.

"It's very good, people are very excited about it. People are waiting eagerly for the Games and to take part in Queen's Baton Relay," said Singh.

Travelling by different modes and going through thousands of hands, the baton covered over 20,000 kilometres in 340 days, making the Baton Relay 2010 one of the longest relays in the history of the Games.

The Queen's Baton symbolises unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth nations.

The baton carries a message of the head of the Commonwealth nations, Queen Elizabeth II, who flagged off the global tour of the baton on October 29, 2009 from Buckingham palace in London in the presence of the President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

The Commonwealth Games will take place in the Delhi from October 3 and will conclude on October 14.

Delhi set for Commonwealth Games

Spruced up, the Indian capital is all set to host the 19th Commonwealth Games with a spectacular opening ceremony Sunday featuring a display of music and dance involving thousands of young and experienced artists.

With an army of police and paramilitary personnel fanning out in the city, the 6,700 athletes and officials from 71 countries and territories eagerly awaited the inaugural by Prince Charles and Indian President Pratibha Patil at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the heart of the city.

In a resounding thumbs up, the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly Saturday commended the Delhi Games Organising Committee for getting things ready for hosting the Oct 3-14 event.

Although some high-priced tickets for the opening ceremony remain unsold, most Delhiites are delighted seeing a cleaner, greener and more colourful city, notwithstanding the last minute scrambles and earlier flak over sloppy and sluggish preparations.

Indian officials say there is nothing to worry on the security front. And most visitors appear to agree.

With Home Minister P. Chidambaram at the helm of affairs, some 100,000 security personnel will be guarding the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and other Games venues, backed by the military and high-tech gadgetry.

Not wanting to leave anything to chance, Chidambaram visited the Village Saturday for a final inspection.

Delhi itself is excited.

The capital witnessed a virtual shutdown Saturday owing to Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary - when markets and businesses normally shut. But with the Games opening, it will be a virtual forced holiday Sunday even for popular markets and street vendors.

The Queen's Baton Relay is on its final stretch in the national capital, led by white horses, vintage and classic cars, 'nagada' players and Nihang warriors. It will reach the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Sunday.

India is fielding the largest contingent of 619 athletes - 379 men and 240 women - and will be competing in all 17 disciplines at the Games.

This is the first time the Games are being opened by two dignitaries as part of a compromise pact between the hosts and the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, who arrived in the capital Saturday, visited President Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in the evening.

Around 7,000 men, women and children will take part in the two-hour-long opening ceremony, which is divided into six segments: Rhythms of India, Swagatam, Tree of Knowledge, Yoga, Great Indian Journey and Oscar winner composer A.R. Rahman's rendition of the CWG anthem 'Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto'.

Speaking about the security arrangements, Police Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal said: 'We also have the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team which is armed with sophisticated weapons and ready to handle any situation.'

'Around 3,000 CCTV cameras have also been installed in and around the Games venues,' he added.

Thanks to the Games, be it an expanded Metro, stadia, flyovers, buses, bus shelters, or streetscaping on arterial roads, there is much by way of infrastructure that has been added to the capital.

And, it has also finally dawned on Delhiites that all this and more that has come about because of the Games will add to their convenience long after the mega event is over.

K.D. Kaushal, a retired government official, has been doing the rounds of the city for the last few days, taking stock of the changes. 'I have never seen Delhi as beautiful as this in my life,' the 65-year-old told IANS.

'The sporting event has brought in a lot of new opportunities for the city. The change on the ground is already quite perceptible,' said Ankit Varshney, a software analyst.

Accolades for the facilities at the Games Village and the venues continued to pour in from athletes and officials.

Welsh chef de mission Chris Jenkins said Saturday: 'I am really quite impressed with the transition. I had come here two weeks ago and things were really quite chaotic. But the athletes who came here three days ago are absolutely delighted with the residential wings and also the training facilities. The food is also quite good.'

'The venues are outstanding and we are really looking forward to competing there,' he added.

Indian govt issues guidelines for spectators

The Home Ministry on Saturday said adequate security arrangements has been put in place for the Commonwealth Games and issued a set of guidelines for spectators hours ahead of the Opening Ceremony. The opening ceremony will start @ 1900 hrs local time. Entry into stadium will start @ 1400 hrs IST.

"Adequate security arrangements have been put in place in order to provide security to the sportspersons, officials, spectators, invitees, volunteers and workforce as well as to the entire city of Delhi," the Ministry said in a statement.

It said that along with the tickets, the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games has circulated Do's and Don'ts for ticket-holders.

"While reiterating those Do's and Don'ts, all those who will visit the Games venues should also observe the Guidelines," it said.

It asked the spectators to plan in advance taking into account the possible traffic in order to reach the venue on time. The guidelines said one should be prepared to stand in queue.

"You should carry your ticket or accreditation card (together with the ticket) without fail. No one will be admitted without a ticket or an accreditation card (together with the ticket).

"Flap Barriers and RF readers have been installed to 'read' the ticket and the accreditation card. If the reading shows the ticket or accreditation card as 'invalid', a second attempt will be made, and if the second attempt too shows the ticket or the accreditation card as 'invalid', the person will not be admitted," the statement said.

Every person will be frisked and checked. The guidelines said it is possible that the flap barrier or the RF reader may fail sometimes, for a few minutes, owing to technological glitches.

In such a case, the security personnel will do a thorough manual check of the person, the ticket and the accreditation card and one must be prepared to subject themselves to the manual check. In addition, every person will be frisked and checked.

With regard to parking, the guidelines said only a few vehicles or cars with authorised 'vehicle access passes' will be allowed to go up to the designated points in the games venues.

"If you are travelling by a car with an authorised 'vehicle access pass', you will be required to alight at a designated point. You must walk the remaining distance to the entry gates."

It said visitors who travel by vehicles which do not have a 'vehicle access pass' may use the Park and Ride or the Park and Walk schemes.

The Ministry also requested asked citizens to use public transport as far as possible.

"The Do's and Dont's and these 'Guidelines' will apply to every visitor and there will be no relaxation and no exception will be made in any case. All are requested to cooperate," it said

Special opening ceremony postage stamp released

The Indian postal department has brought out a special stamp to commemorate the opening ceremony of the 19th edition of the Commonwealth Games that kickstarts in the capital on Sunday. If it is a village it ought to have its own post office and the brand new Commonwealth Games Village here is no exception.

Sandwiched between a row of shops in the International Zone is a fully operational post office, with its own pin code 110090, that seems to be attracting good business.

Having opened on September 16, the Post Office which offers facilities such as speed and registered post as well as ordinary mail, is also selling through its philately section a variety of stamps in different sizes.

These have, according to officials become popular among the athletes, who want to take home something from Delhi.

"People are very excited about the Post Office and are buying many stamps and other souveniers from here," says an official.

Magie Lynes, an England team official says, "It is very useful to have a post office in the village. Everybody wants to send something home."

She says she has been sending colourful postcards and letters to friends and relatives.

"One athlete, a shooter even shipped across a part of his gun. Initially he was skeptical whether we could deliver it but we wrapped the part and have couried it to Italy," says an official.

Generally the host countries of the Commonwealth Games as well as some competing nations celebrate the Games philatelically.

Commonwealth Games a hit amongst athletes

Fears over the state of the Commonwealth Games athletes village look to have fizzled out with the accommodation earning positive reviews across the board from competitors.

Despite alarm from several teams just two weeks out from the Games when the village was described as "filthy" and "unliveable", a late clean-up appears to have worked with athletes speaking highly of their homes as Sunday's opening ceremony approaches.

England flag bearer Nathan Robertson was the latest to give praise on Friday, even declaring the accommodation the best he'd seen in four Commonwealth Games.

"We've been there two days now ... the village quality has been very good the food halls excellent, actually the accommodation is possibly some of the best we've stayed in," the badminton star said.

"It was a little bit dirty when we arrived but the actual accommodation is some of the best compared with previous Commonwealth Games.

"They were just a little bit dusty at the start ... they've obviously done a lot of work in the last week."

Robertson's praise came after Australian athletes spoke highly of their new digs as they arrived through the week.

Athletes from South Africa, Canada and Pakistan have also given the accommodation the thumbs up, as have the likes of Scotland and New Zealand, whose officials were among the biggest critics prior to the Games.

"The toilets flush, the showers work, the beds are good, so we're happy," New Zealand hockey skipper Phil Burrows said.

Scottish wrestler Ashlea McManus said the village was bustling.

"You walk down the street and there are people of every other nation .. the atmosphere is great," she said.

Around 1200 athletes and officials were expected to join the 5500 odd already moved in to the village on Friday.

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit announced a theatre to screen movies for the village's inhabitants would open on Friday night.

Indian archers look to strike Gold

Boasting of world champions, the Indian archery team will look to hit the bull's eye despite being up against a formidable field when the sport returns to the Commonwealth Games after 28 years at the Yamuna Sports Complex range here on Monday.

With 2007 World Cup final winner Dola Banerjee, the 12-member Indian squad will target the recurve individual and team events to grab at least six gold medals that head coach Limba Ram has targetted out of the eight up for grabs.

"We have a strong side with a lot of experience. We should make merry in the home conditions and hope for six gold medals with top places in men's and women's recurve section," Limba said.

Asked about their preparation, Limba said, "We have been preparing for the CWG and Asian Games for the last two years. There were no exposure trips but our archers have done really well at the different legs of the World Cup and the Asian GPs."

Gearing up for the premier event, the archers have made an early start in March 2009 with a core group of 64 that has been pruned to a 12-member squad - three each in the recurve and compound bow sections (men's and women's).

There will be 16 medals (gold, silver and bronze) up for grabs with individual and team events in each category.

Tarundeep Rai, Jayanta Talukdar and Rahul Banerjee will lead the challenge against the likes of three-time Olympian Matthew Gray, Australia's best medal chance, in a high-voltage men's recurve field.

Gray will compete alongside compatriots Taylor Worth and Mathew Masonwells.

The Indian men's trio is high on confidence especially after their gold medal triumph in the World Cup Stage 4 in Shanghai (September 2-5) with a record 224 score, the highest so far.

"Everything is going in the right direction for us. In the initial round at the World Cup, we beat England who will again compete against us at the CWG. We also beat Asian Games competitors China (in the semis)," a confident Banerjee said.

Indian archers had begun the year in style as they swept all the gold medals at the 11th South Asian Games in Dhaka.

In the run-up to CWG, the women's recurve team were not as successful as their men's counterpart but the rise of 14-year-old Deepika Kumari, who won a silver in World Cup Stage 4 (Shanghai), augurs well for them.

The Ranchi girl, incidentally, is also the reigning cadet world champion and senior national champion.

The team returned empty-handed from the Shanghai meet, but they had made up for men's disappointing performance at the World Cup Stage 3 (Ogden, August 4-8) winning the silver.

Dedicated lanes for Commonwealth Games extended

Dedicated lanes for Commonwealth Games in the national capital will now be extended to Major Dhayan Chand Hockey Stadium and Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from the Games Village. To facilitate Commonwealth Games-related traffic, Delhi Traffic Police has been maintaining dedicated Games Lane from Games Village to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Games Family hotels from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm since September 26.

"Now this has been extended to Major Dhayan Chand Hockey Stadium and Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from Games Village. For other competition and training Venues, Traffic Police has been facilitating the movement of athletes and officials," a senior police official said today.

A notification relating to the movement of all categories of goods vehicles during Commonwealth Games which will be effective from September 30 to October 15 has also been issued by the Transport Department.

The notification prohibits the entry, plying and idle parking of heavy, medium and light goods vehicles on certain roads during specified timings.

According to the notification, there will be day time restriction on the entry, plying and idle parking of goods vehicles from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm on 84 roads including NH-8, Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Aurobindo Marg, Nelson Mandela Marg, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, Thamaiya Marg, Shankar Road, DBG Road and Rani Jhansi Road.

There will be peak hour restrictions on entry, plying and idle parking and 24-hour restriction on certain roads.

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.

Commonwealth Games tourist info cafes getting good response

Tourist information cafes opened in the capital to provide details about the city to visitors during the Commonwealth Games are getting a good response, said a professional associated with the project.

Forty such cafes are to be opened across the city. These would be a one-point information hub for tourists coming to Delhi during the Oct 3-14 sporting event.

Besides having counters for providing details in eight languages on accommodation, bus routes, food, shopping destinations and culture, the cafes have facilities for food and beverages as well as souvenirs.

The cafes have been conceived by Delhi-based artist Ved Pohoja and his associates. They are built on land provided by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NMDC) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

“As of now the cafes have been opened at Red Fort, Connaught Place and Birla Mandir. By the month-end, all 40 kiosks would become operational. The cafes remain open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., said Saurabh Chauhan, who is associated with the project.

Chauhan said the cafes are getting a good public response. “Lots of people are visiting the kiosks seeking information. As of now most of the people are from Delhi but as we get close to the Games we are looking forward to cater to foreign and other tourists, he said.

3000 athletes are in Delhi for Commonwealth Games

Over 3,100 Indian and foreign athletes have arrived here for the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games. Around 850 athletes arrived Tuesday.

Canadian Susan Nattrass, a six-time Olympian and seven-time world trap shooting champion, was among the athletes who arrived Tuesday. She has two silver and three bronze medals in the Games to her credit.

The Jamaican contingent comprising Allodin Fothergill (men's 400 metres), Lerone Clarke (men's 100m), Oshane Bailey, who held the No.1 position for 100 metres at the Reebok Grand Prix in 2009 and Ricardo Cunningham, an 800 metres specialist has also arrived, an Organising Committee press statement said.

Also in Delhi is the Australian women's hockey team, winners of three Olympic gold medals, five World Cup titles, three Commonwealth Games medals and 12 Champions Trophy titles.

Malaysia had 93 more athletes and officials coming in, the largest contingent Tuesday. These athletes will participate in archery, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, badminton and weightlifting. Northern Ireland, New Zealand, England and Australia were among the countries whose athletes arrived this day.

Vuvuzelas to rock Delhi during Commonwealth Games

The vuvuzela trumpets that became the droning soundtrack to the football World Cup in South Africa are to make a comeback at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Vuvuzelas provoked strong emotions in South Africa, with some fans loving the distinctive low-pitched bellow while others -- including many players, coaches and commentators driven to distraction.

About 10,000 plastic vuvuzela horns have already been sold in Delhi through official merchandising outlets at a cost of 250 rupees (5.5 dollars) each.

"Both Indian and foreigners have been showing a lot of interest, and sales are very good," Jitendra Dang, who runs a stall at the athletes' village.

"It feels that their popularity after South Africa is continuing in India."

Vuvuzelas became the unofficial symbol of the World Cup, but they drowned out crowd chants and made it nearly impossible for players to communicate with each other.

The horns have since been banned by UEFA, European football's governing body, and by several English Premier League club grounds, as well as at many other sporting events.

Indian sports fans are known for their passion -- especially at cricket games -- but tickets are still available for most Games events and it is uncertain if venues will fill with the vuvuzela's monotone blast.

Suresh Kumar, chairman of the Games' official merchandising company Premier Brands, said 50,000 vuvuzelas had been imported from China and 10,000 had already been bought from stalls, shops and from mobile vans.

"People here like them because in India we associate celebrations with noise," he told AFP. "Festivals like Diwali are always very loud.

"Vuvuzelas are the most popular item we are selling. We expect the rest to go by the middle of the Games. And if we have a shortage, we can't get any more because they were ordered from China."

The origins of the vuvuzela -- and the word's meaning -- are unclear, but many believe they were first made from a sheet of metal, and were only popularised in South African sports stadiums in recent years.

Harris Mbulelo Majeke, South Africa's High Commissioner in Delhi, showed locals last week how to blow the horn with a long, loud blast.

"We are going to make a lot of noise. We are going to have lots of fun," he said. "We are going to blast the stadiums with vuvuzelas."

SA sports chief slams CWG critics, supports India

South Africa Sports Confederations and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) president, Gideon Sam, is ready to work with CWG organizers if that will ensure the success of the crisis-hit Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India which starts next Sunday.

Sam has slammed first-world countries for criticising the Games’ organisers, despite images from New Delhi highlighting the issues like not so clean athletes’ village, a bridge collapsing near the main venue etc. He called these as excuses for not knowing the host country enough and trying to find a reason to stay in their "holes". To prove the point, swine flu is a problem across the globe but Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Scotland are highlighting the Indian statistics which are pretty much at par with any other country.

“Our athletes will have no excuses if they don’t perform at the Games. If they are unhappy with their rooms because they have not been swept, they must take off their jackets and sweep them themselves,” Sam said.

“We’ll not complain, South Africans don’t do that. And when I get there on Friday, if a toilet is not clean, I’ll clean it myself.”

Some participating nations have delayed their arrival in Delhi as the organisers attempt a last-minute clean-up. Yesterday, however, athletes continued to withdraw from the quadrennial multi-sport event.

Sam said: “We had the same problems with these countries who complained before the FIFA World Cup. “As South Africans, we’ve always supported our friends, and internationally, India and Brazil (hosts for next 2016 Olympics) are our best friends. “We also want to host events like this, and it’s unfair if they are hosted only by countries like England, Canada and Australia.”

Sam said SA had plans in place to ensure the athletes’ safety and provide sufficient medical care.

“We’ll have our own security on top of what the hosts are providing us. The medical team will also be well equipped,” Sam said.