Commonwealth Games – Check out the latest sports event in the world
The 2010 Commonwealth Games is the most talked about event nowadays. The opening ceremony has captured everyone’s hearts and made every nation participating fill with pride. The Commonwealth Games is the celebration of sports events in which several players from all over the world participate and win accolades for their nation. This sports event forms a very special place in everyone’s heart as the pride of the nation is attached with it.
Commonwealth Games – The hosting nation
The Commonwealth Games, 2010 is the nineteenth Commonwealth Games and is held in Delhi, India from 3rd October to 14th October. The multi-sports event is held in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as the main stadium of the event.
Commonwealth Games – India’s successful bid
Delhi, India along with Hamilton, Ontario, Canada bided for hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This was held in Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly in Montego Bay, Jamaica. India won by a margin of 46 votes to 22. India won with the motto “New Frontiers and Friendship”.
Commonwealth Games – Preparations done by India
The organizers had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Environment Program to construct environment friendly venues such as the Thyagaraj Stadium. This Commonwealth Games also is called the Green Commonwealth Games as it has taken the environment into consideration. The participants are residing in Commonwealth Games Village which is free of cost and they will also be given other benefits and a free trip to Taj Mahal.
Commonwealth Games – Venues of the events
There are in total 12 venues in total where the events of the Commonwealth Games are being held. The list of venues is given below:
1. Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex
2. Thyagaraj Sports Complex
3. Indira Gandhi Sports Complex
4. Dr. S.P Mukherjee Swimming Stadium
5. Talkatora Indoor Stadium
6. Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range
7. Delhi University
8. Yamuna Sports Complex
9. Siri Fort Sports Complex
10. R.K Khanna Tennis Complex
11. CRPF Shooting Range, Khardarpur
12. Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
Commonwealth Games – Events, participants and nations
There are 260 events to be held in 17 disciplines such as – aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, net ball, rugby sevens, shooting, squash, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. There are 6081 participant participating in this event from 71 nations in all.
Commonwealth Games – Mascot and official song
The mascot of the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in India is Shera (tiger). The song of the event is “Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto” which is composed by A. R Rahman.
Commonwealth Games – Queen’s Baton Relay
A baton containing Queen Elizabeth’s message left Buckingham Palace on 29th September, 2009 and reached India on 25th June 2010 after crossing Wagah Border in Pakistan. The final runner for the Queen’s baton relay was Sushil Kumar. The baton was so created so that it can capture images and sounds and the location of the baton can also be located. The baton was made by Michael Foley who is a graduate of National Institute of Design. The baton travelled 54 nations.
The opening ceremony was officially presided by Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Pratibha Patil, The President of India. The Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh also attended the ceremony.