The
2010 Commonwealth Games are the nineteenth edition of the
Commonwealth Games, and the ninth to be held under that name. The Games are scheduled to be held in
New Delhi,
India between 3 October and 14 October 2010. The games will be the largest
multi-sport event conducted to date in
New Delhi and
India generally, which has previously hosted the
Asian Games in
1951 and
1982. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in
New Dehli. It will also be the first time the
Commonwealth Games will be held in India and the second time the event has been held in
Asia (after 1998).
In addition to the Commonwealth Games, the city of
Pune,
India hosted the
3rd Commonwealth Youth Games between October 12 and 18, 2008. The Youth Games offered nine sports: athletics, badminton, boxing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.
Games Preparation
In January 2005, the
Commonwealth Games Federation vice-president
Raja Randhir Singh expressed concern that Delhi was behind schedule in forming an organising committee. On 18 January 2008, however, the
Commonwealth Games Federation expressed its approval of Delhi's progress.
[2]
On
15 October 2009,
Jarnail Singh, a former Secretary of the Government of India was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Organising Committee.
[3]
India's Sports Minister will head the apex committee for conducting the games while the
Indian Olympic Association president
Suresh Kalmadi will head the organising committee. The Games will be held from the 3rd to 14 October 2010.
The total budget estimated for hosting the 19th Commonwealth is US$ 1.6 billion and this amount excludes non sports related infrastructure development in the city like airports,roads and other structures. This makes the 2010 Commonwealth Games as the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever (compared to
Manchester 2002 - approx. US$420 million, and
Melbourne 2006 - approx. US$ 1.1 billion).
Energy consumption
To prepare for the energy-usage spike during the Games and to end chronic
power cuts in
Delhi, the government is undertaking a large power-production initiative to increase power production to 7,000 MW (from the current 4,500 MW). To achieve this goal, the government plans to streamline the power distribution process, direct additional energy to Delhi, and construct new power plants. In fact, the government has promised that by 2010, Delhi will have a surplus of power
Mascot - Shera
Shera, mascot of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, is the most visible face of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. His name comes from the Hindi word Sher – meaning tiger. Shera truly represents the modern Indian. He is an achiever with a positive attitude, a global citizen but justifiably proud of his nation’s ancient heritage, a fierce competitor but with integrity and honesty. Shera is also a ‘large-hearted gentleman’ who loves making friends and enthusing people to ‘come out and play’.
In Indian mythology, the tiger is associated with Goddess Durga, the embodiment of Shakti (or female power) and the vanquisher of evil. She rides her powerful vehicle – the tiger – into combat, especially in her epic and victorious battle against Mahishasur, a dreaded demon.
Shera embodies values that the nation is proud of: majesty, power, charisma, intelligence and grace. His athletic prowess, courage and speed on the field are legendary. He is also a reminder of the fragile environment he lives in and our responsibility towards the protection of his ecosystem.
Participating nations
There are currently 71 nations planning to field teams at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. In alphabetical order, these nations are:
Sports
There are 17 disciplines planned for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Venues
Existing and new stadia will be used to house the following sports: Archery, Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Elite Athletes with a Disability (EAD) Events, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby sevens, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Specific venues for 2010 games
[18] in Delhi are following:
