New Delhi, August 10
The Commonwealth Games, nation’s biggest sporting event to be held at 23 sprawling stadiums and in 21 disciplines, has only one ‘Shera’, the mascot of the Games, to raise the spirits of the supporters.

Satish Bidla, a boy from Chandigarh, is the only person who dons the 8-kg ‘Shera dress’ and pose as the mascot at the CWG functions. However, sources say at least five to 10 candidates will be required who can take the guise of ‘Shera’ and don the huge unusual costume of blue shots and white jersey.

“So many events will take place simultaneously at different stadiums in various parts of Delhi. How will we manage with just one ‘Shera’, the most visible face of the Games,” said a member of the Organising Committee (OC). “Also when the athletes will start landing in Delhi, one mascot has to be permanently stationed at the airport to greet the guests,” he said.

With just 54 days left for the Games, the OC has not yet issued any advertisement or notice to hire more candidates for the ‘not-so-easy’ job.

Though, Satish, who belongs to Sector 15 in Chandigarh, is happy with the job as he gets excited with the fact that everybody in office now calls him ‘Shera’ but feels that there should be some more people who can take up the job in his absence. “I have to come even on my weakly off if there is any OC function or ceremony,” says Satish.

Surprisingly, the matter has not caught the attention of OC officials as they seem to be too busy in fire fighting after the alleged corruption charges against them. The actual work and many important decisions are pending to see the light of day.

Strangely, the OC feels that one more ‘Shera’ would be sufficient for the Games. “We are looking forward to recruit one more candidate for the job but no advertisement has been issued so far,” says Gaurav Thakur, Director Communications and Promotions.

He said calm composer is most important attribute to get into Shera’s costume. “The mascot greets the celebrities and the VVIPs. So the person should not get excited on seeing famous personalities. He should be patient and with a good body built,” said Gaurav.

He refused to the fact that the job needs any kind of training as there is cold covering inside and a fan which does not let the person feel hot and sweaty.

When Satish is not acting as ‘Shera’, he serves as an office attendant in the OC. He does the work of moving files from one department to the other, apart from the paper work. He is a Class 12 pass out and has no time to further continue his studies, at least for now.