Sports of World

Marred by series of controversies in the build-up, the Delhi Commonwealth Games today got the ultimate pat on the back from the CGF Chief Michael Fennell, who declared the mega-event as "truly exceptional". Delivering his address during a spectacular and colourful closing ceremony, Fennell said,"Today, we bring down curtains on 19th CWG Delhi. Delhi, you have delivered a truly exceptional Games.

"Security, transport and other services have been of highest quality. The venues were world class and it was a truly outstanding show by the athletes."

Preparations for the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony were in chaos on Wednesday night as Indian organisers made a series of last-minute changes and Scottish performers were left without security passes they required to take part.

About 350 volunteers from throughout Scotland are in New Delhi to perform an eight-minute show to promote the next Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

But on Wednesday night, Indian officials had still not issued security accreditation passes to 40 of the performers while British officials and members of the Glasgow Games Organising Committee were left in the dark over when they will perform their showcase.

Frustrated insiders said it was another example of the chaos which had characterised the Games in New Delhi and that the last-minute confusion was "par for the course".

India's preparations for hosting the Games had been beset by construction delays, corruption allegations, terrorism fears and tropical diseases, as heavy monsoon rains caused an outbreak of dengue fever.

In the fortnight before the Games began, a footbridge leading to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium collapsed injuring 27 workers, one of whom remains in a coma. Officials drafted in hundreds of housekeeping staff from the city's five star hotels to clean up athletes' accommodation after photographs revealed flooded rooms, human excrement in the showers and animal paw prints on the beds.

But British officials, and members of a delegation led by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, have been frustrated in their attempts to finalise arrangements for Glasgow's showcase in the closing ceremony, because of the failure of their Indian counterparts to decide their own programme.

As late as Wednesday night Indian officials were working on new plans to include a performance by disabled dancers.

A spokesman for the Commonwealth Games Federation confirmed there had been problems in issuing accreditation passes to some Scottish performers, but said its security advisors had been assured by New Delhi's Commissioner of Police that the matter would be resolved.

"The Indian creative-ideas people have been through changes in the last week, but we have an eight-minute segment and that's not affected," a Glasgow Games spokesman said.

Organisers believe their problems will be resolved in time but are concerned the growing Indian programme could affect broadcast times and the television audience for Glasgow's showcase.


Sources: telegraph.co.uk


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India equaled its best ever performance in the Commonwealth Games bagging a gold in athletics. With this the Gold medal tally has gone upto 30. India had achieved this feat in the 2002 Manchester games for the first time.
In Athletics, there was surprise in store as Krishna Poonia of India won the gold in women’s discuss even as the hosts won all the three medals.

In boxing, Olympic bronze medalist Vijendra Singh suffered a shock defeat in 75 kg category.

Suronjoy Singh, Manoj Kumar and Paramjeet Somata have entered the finals in their respective weight categories.

Jai Bhagwan, Amandeep Singh and Dilbagh Singh lost their bouts and had to settle for bronze.

The first medal of the day for the hosts came in shooting as Tejaswini sawant and Meena Kumari won bronze in women’s 50 meter Rifle Prone pairs.

Tejaswini Sawant said she had hoped to win more than a bronze in the competition.

In Skeet pairs shooting, Mairaj Ahmad Khan and P Allan Danials finished fifth. The Gold in this event was won by Cyprus.

In Badminton, India’s Saina Nehwal and Aditi Mutatkar have advanced to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Singles event. Saina defeated Caroline Black of Nigeria, 21-0,21-2 while Aditi defeated Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland 21-11, 21-17.

In Rugby, India lost its Rugby sevens match against Wales by 7-53.

In Weightlifting, one gold will be decided today, in men’s 105 plus Kilogram weight category. Sarabjit carries the Indian medal hopes in this event.

In Women’s Hockey, India defeated Canada 3-nil in a final classification match.

In Table-Tennis, Indian duo, Sharad Kamal and Shubhjeet Saha have entered the Men’s Doubles quarter-finals by defeating Australia’s Justin Henn and Shimon Gerreda.

With five more bronze today India continues in second position with 30 Gold, 23 Silver and 28 Bronze. Australia continues to head the table with a total haul of 62 gold, 40 silver and 39 Bronze. England has 26 gold, 47 Silver and 34 bronze.

Meanwhile, the New Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games has been hit by a doping controversy in the same 100 meter Women’s event that earlier saw the disqualification of Australia’s Sally Pearson who was stripped off her medal for a false start.

A Nigerian gold medalist of women’s 100 meters Oludamola Osayomi was tested positive in dope Examination. In the dope test methyle hexalimine stimulate was found. Addressing the customary press conference at Main Press Center, the President of the Games Federation Mr Michael Fennel said the athlete tested positive has requested for ‘B’ sample test and the hearing will be held later today.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, President Solomon Ogba told a website that, the Nigerian athlete took medication for her toothache and they strongly suspect that it was the reason that led to her failed drug test.

The Organizing Committee Chairman, Suresh Kalmadi today said Big video Screens will be put up during road events including Marathon and Cycling events along with the route. He said cycling events will be held at Noida- Greater Noida Expressway and all arrangements have been completed.

Indian players will also be seen in action in Table-tennis and Squash tonight.

Source: Mizoramexpress.com

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The Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 could be left millions of pounds in the red by over-optimistic estimates of ticket sales and a lack of interest from broadcasters, according to an official inquiry.

Holyrood’s public audit committee warned it was “sceptical” the Glasgow organisers’ predictions of ticket sales would be realised. Some stadiums are nearly empty at the current Delhi event.
The committee’s report also said the BBC’s interest in showing the event was lukewarm and it expected little interest from other bidders for broadcast rights.

It voiced concerns that the cost of the Commonwealth games could hit £523 million, on top of a £75 million overrun that has already been confirmed.

MSPs also raised concerns about the management of the event’s budget, as the Games’s organisers failed to take account of pension costs and inflation in their forecasts until May this year.

Hugh Henry, the audit committee’s convener, said: “Early action should be taken to ensure maximum revenue is generated should sales figures indicate less than expected uptake.
“We are concerned that inflation had not been built into budget projections earlier and that the strategic partners continued to deal in 2007 prices.”

When Glasgow won the Games, the estimated cost was £373 million but this rose to £454 million last year. However, this increased to £523.6 million in May when inflation was added for the first time.

During their inquiry, MSPs asked why the income target figure was increased by £13 million to £88 million. The organisers told them there would be an “increased appetite” for the Games following the London 2012 Olympics.

However, John Scott, the chief executive of Glasgow 2014, admitted that revenue from ticket sales had been downgraded.

The original estimates were based on the Manchester games in 2002 but the number of people living within easy travelling distance of Glasgow is about a third smaller.

The 2014 games will also have 20 per cent more tickets to sell as larger venues are being used.
“The committee is sceptical about the ticket sale projections for the games which seem overly ambitious,” the report concluded.

The organisers have also been forced to “downgrade” their revenue forecast from selling the broadcasting rights after initially assuming the BBC would step in.

Mr Scott told MSPs: “This now may not necessarily be the case and they would have to work with the BBC to persuade them of the value of the product.”

The organisers also admitted “there would be little competition for the rights”.
MSPs also questioned why pension contributions were not included in the 2007 cost and recommended a £3 million cap be set on these.

A Glasgow 2014 spokesman said: “We are confident that our ticketing strategy will ensure that we meet our revenue and spectator targets.

“It is important to remember that Glasgow 2014 will come shortly after what will be a hugely successful Olympic Games in London.”

Murdo Fraser, the Scottish Tory deputy leader and a member of the audit committee, said: “The Gathering ended up as a financial disaster due to wildly optimistic revenue projections. We cannot afford the same to happen to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.”

Site: Telegraph.co.uk

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