‘Face’ of Games not really visible
New Delhi, September 29
Even as Commonwealth Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi termed the CWG volunteers as the “face” of the games, the face is not very prominently visible at most Games venues including the Village. Hundreds of volunteers still await their accreditation process to get completed that has led to much fewer volunteers than expected on duty. Even those present on sites have little clue as to what they should be doing as their duty rosters are still not ready. Many volunteers have also missed the two-day training camp that ended today at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as they had no accreditation.

Indian rugby team announced
Chandigarh, September 29
For the first time ever in the history of Indian Rugby, the Indian team is participating in the prestigious Commonwealth Games 2010 at New Delhi. The Games will see top Rugby nations battling it out and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Indian fans to see rugby matches between the top rugby nations of the world. CWG Rugby event is often touted as the Mini World Cup of Rugby.

Pakistan hockey team arrives
New Delhi, September 29
A 58-member Pakistan contingent, including their hockey team, will arrive tonight to swell today's arrival of athletes for the Commonwealth Games to 1, 150. A 146-member Australian contingent was the largest squad to arrive today, followed by England 97) and Singapore (75).

QBR to reach Delhi today
New Delhi, September 29
The Queen's Baton Relay will finally roll into Delhi tomorrow, after making a round of all the 71 Commonwealth Games participating countries and across India, for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Chandigarh, September 29
There is an undying air of calm about everything that Akhil Kumar does. The manner in which he has taken all the highs, and the recent lows, tell you that the man has been there, and done that! After he was flashed all over TV sets due to a broken bed at the Commonwealth Games Village, the Haryana boxer speaks to The Tribune about what he feels about the controversies and his own performances.

Q: The Commonwealth Games are here, and you, just naturally, are in the middle of the news. Find it too much of a coincidence?

A: Well, if I am in the news because of my Gold in the previous Games, then it is a good thing. Otherwise, I am not really paying attention to it.

Q: How has the preparation been? Do you feel you are in the best shape to defend your medal?

A: I guess all the training, all the hard work put in, is now history. It’s time for results. This is what it was all about. I am just hoping to get in good performances and make a mark for my country. I have decided to try out some new things. Rest, we will see how it goes.

Q: You were part of the Queen’s Baton Relay in Rohtak, your home town. How was that experience?

A: It was definitely wonderful. The best part about an event like this is that it mobilizes the local youth to pay more attention to sports. That is the biggest contribution that an event of magnitude makes to a nation. The youth have to feel connected to sports for our country to improve further.

Q: What are the medal hopes from boxing? The sport has rarely seen so much spotlight.

A: I am sure that all the boxers, in fact all Indian sportsmen know that because we are hosting the Games, the impetus is already there. We have to try to do our best, give it a complete hundred per cent. I am sure we will end up with a rich haul by the end of it.

Q: Any other sport that you think will be under focus, and can deliver the medals?

A: Well, although all our sportsmen are medal hopefuls, the chances of medals from wrestling are definitely high. With Sushil winning the World Championship Gold, there will be a lot of expectation from him definitely. There is also Yogeshwar Dutt. He is an Olympic quarterfinalist, and people fail to grasp the magnitude of that. I trained with him in South Africa for a while, and his dedication and commitment are proof enough that he is out to do the country proud.

New Delhi, September 29
With just a few days to go for the competitions to start in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the usual gusto, enthusiasm and fervour normally associated with the conduct of such a mega sporting event has surprisingly been missing. Instead, complaints of traffic hold ups, caving in of roads, slow movement of traffic, harassment to bus commuters and last minute touches to finish civil works have been at the centre stage.

As a Tribune team cris-crossed Delhi, it came across more volunteers than those lining up to buy tickets for the much publicised opening and closing ceremonies or the competitions that in many of the events will bring top stars, including world champions.

The absence of fervour and enthusiasm is baffling as those who witnessed the last sporting event held in Delhi - 1982 Asian Games - remember an unusual hype that had been created at that time. Before the conduct of the Asiad, the organising committee had held trial games as well as National Games at the venues to test facilities and electronic gadgets installed there. There has been, however, no such event planned as a build up for the Games.

A number of international events to test facilities were held during the past six to eight months but they were scattered allowing limited access both to media and the spectators. Sports stars are the crowd pullers. Once they are surrounded by security personnel, their fans miss interacting with them.

Though withdrawals have continued unabated with a badminton player from Canada and a world champion runner from Africa citing injuries as reasons to pull out of the Games, they may not take away the sheen of the Games as many of the world's best athletes will be on view. Though number of athletes that have already excluded themselves from this mega event is gradually swelling and include a couple of world champions like Usain Bolt and some renowned cyclists, yet the best will come when the competitions start.

Admonishing of the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games by the Supreme Court reflects the nations' concern over the manner in which the preparations for holding the country's biggest sporting event have been made.

The last major controversy over allowing the British monarchy its traditional right to declare the Games open resolved yesterday, fortunately for the organising committee, no new controversy has erupted. And the earlier controversies that virtually rocked the games over delays, corruption, sanitary conditions in the Games Village etc have started subsiding. Instead, the focus has now started shifting to the competitions that will witness a fierce fight for runner-up position to mighty Australia in the medals tally featuring England, Canada and the hosts India besides New Zealand.

Ten thousand athletes from all 71 member nations of the Commonwealth will start vying with each other for honours hours after what the organising committee promises a memorable and unique opening ceremony on the October 3. Full dress rehearsal for the ceremony to be led by Jai Ho fame AR Rahman will start from October 1 at the venue.

"Things will definitely change once the competitions begin," claims a former international player maintaining that once India gets its first gold medal, interest of the nation in the games will soar.

Though the Games Village has been turned into a fortress and security tightened all over, there appear to be a lot of wet points around. The Main Media Centre, rated as one of the best ever made for any of the previous editions of the games, too, is not without problems. The only access it has is from a metro station. Dingy and condemned Trade Fair Visitor buses shuttle between the station and the MMC and IBC for the convenience of the media, volunteers and organisers. A little over a km long road is littered with filth and squalor and is fully potholed carrying a very bad impression of the organising committee. Even the accreditation card reading machines are still not fully functional.

Venues are still not open to media. Last night when Indian hockey team defeated England 3-1 in a practise match for its second successive win, it was without media being allowed to enter the historic Major Dhyan Chand Memorial National Hockey Stadium.

It was in this stadium that the 2010 World Cup Hockey Tournament was conducted early this year. Sandeep Singh (two) and Tushar Khandekar were the scorers for the team. This was second win for the home team in as many practise matches it has played so far. Earlier also India had recorded a 3-1 win over England. Today the two teams will play their third practise game.

India's' hopes rest not only on shooters, wrestlers, weightlifters and boxers but also on tennis and badminton players. Home team after initial glitches is finding the Games Village cosy and comfortable.

Para athletes train in New Delhi on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui

There will be no Bollywood masala in the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. The almost inevitable presence of Hindi cinema celebrities in high profile events had led many to speculate that either of Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan will perform on October 3. However, the event organiser, Wizcraft International Entertainment, has now ruled out their presence and said the thrust of the ceremony is more on showcasing India’s rich cultural and historical legacy than rolling out some glamour-filled event. AR Rahman will be there for obvious reasons as he has composed and sung the Games’ theme song.

Security on top of their minds

Indian government may have taken some unprecedented measures to allay the security concerns of several teams but different countries are also taking precautionary steps of their own. The England team members have been asked by their management not to venture outside the Games Village in their uniforms as it would give away their identity. Australian team members would not be going out for shopping and other such leisurely exercises and Canadian team, too, has issued guidelines to its contingent. These teams are said to be in the hit list of terror outfits and they have their own security experts to advise them. Though, all of them have expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements made for the Games.

Peepli Live!

A view outside the Commonwealth Games (CWG) Village main gate near Akshardham in East Delhi has become somewhat similar to what was shown in the recent Bollywood flick ‘Peepli Live’.

Since the video-cameras are not allowed inside the games village, the cameramen and reporters of different electronic media have made the place their temporary shelter and they remain standing outside the gate throughout the day and well into the night in wait for some diplomat, official, delegate, athlete and minister entering or exiting the Village. Some also carry small portable stands which they climb upon immediately in a crowded situation to get better visuals. Even if someone is hungry or thirsty, they do not leave the place unless they get their replacement.

Rahul all for rugby

Actor Rahul Bose, who was once part of the national rugby team, is looking forward to the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in the capital to watch rugby matches. “Off to Delhi. Will be in and out of the city over the next fortnight. Want to catch the athletics, rugby etc. Rugby will be sensational. The very best teams in the world are playing - New Zealand, South Africa, England," Rahul said in his online posts. The 43-year-old actor was a part of the first Indian national rugby team and played for the country at the Asian Rugby Football Union Championship in 1998. The actor has recently returned from Brazil after being a part of "Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi 3".

Ayurvedic massage a hit

One of the most popular facilities in the Games Village is the ayurvedic massage offered by experts from Kerala, a state famous for its therapeutic massages. More than 100 ayurveda experts have been called in by the organisers to give over 7000 foreign athletes and officials living in the Village a feel of popular Indian therapy. And, unlike most of the things here, it’s been working rather well from the very beginning. Officials said athletes are all praise for the message and the masseurs have been very busy.

(Kumar Rakesh, Himani Chandel, Jyoti Rai)

Chandigarh, September 29
“I don’t like discussing my records. Let others do it”, said Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin, who unveiled the new ODI attire for ‘Men in Blue’ at a function in Sector 17, added that he only believed in hard work. “The key behind my success is hard work”, said the 37-year-old, while adding that he has worked hard over the years to be in the team and has enjoyed every moment of it.

“Ups and downs are always there as a part of life. Beauty is to continue to work hard and that is what I believe in. Even after passing of 20 years of my international career, I never take any match for granted,” added the Master Blaster amid rousing applause.

Sachin also added that he would play the game as long as he enjoyed it. When asked, why these days the five-Test series were not being played, Tendulkar said that to organise a five-Test series really needed huge efforts and different temperament. “In a given schedule, it has become difficult to organise it”, said Sachin, who would play his 170th Test in Mohali from October 1.

Apart from Sachin, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Gautam Gambhir and Pragyan Ojha were also at the function. At the occasion, Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said that play against Australia gave him just that extra amount of pleasure. “They (Australians) love me very much”, said Bhajji when asked why his name always cropped up with Australia. Bhajji asserted that in the upcoming series too, he was determined to perform better to remain on the top of (Australian’s) their mind.

Mohali, September 29
What Harbhajan Singh is to Aussie batsmen, Virender Sehwag is to the Oz bowlers as the duo has kept the Kangroos on their toes.

“Seeing Sehwag’s aggressive batting style, we are devising plans to counter him. On his day, he can take the game away from the opposition,” said Australian coach Tim Nelson.

Nelson was talking to reporters at PCA Stadium after the practise session of his team.

However, the coach was satisfied with his team as he termed it well-balanced and a mix of youth and experience with players like Bollinger, Hussey, Clarke, Ponting and Johnson.

When asked whether Doug Bollinger and Hussey, who were part of recently concluded Champions League in South Africa, are ready for the Test series, Nelson said, “Both players were little behind in terms of time but that is something we were aware of. The players were also told upfront that if they are mentally and physically fit, they are more than likely to take their place in the team. We have to make the right decision”.

Nelson also added that he has to ascertain whether Bollinger would be able to handle long spells after the Twenty-20 league.

About Peter George, the coach was of the view that he had a pretty decent match against Board President XI. “He is consistent with his pace, and his action is modelled on McGrath. With his height he can also extract bounce. Given an opportunity, he will do a good job at Test level,” Nelson said.

Lahore, September 29
Suspended Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammed Aamir and Mohammed Asif have filed detailed replies to the ICC notice, seeking a hearing into allegations that they took bribe for bowling no-balls in a Test match against England. The International Cricket Council had handed provisional suspension early this month to the three players following an expose by a British tabloid and sent them separate notices.

“Yes the three have filed their detailed replies and the next step will be a preliminary hearing in which the Anti Corruption Unit has to provide evidence to support the suspensions on these players,” PCB legal advisor Talib Rizvi said. — PTI

Sangrur, September 29
It takes courage to lift 410 kgs weight but it takes more than that when an injury ridden power lifter does it. Manjeet Kaur, a power lifter par excellence who comes from a farmer’s family in Sangrur, made not only her hometown proud but also the people of Punjab

This young power lifter after she lifted 410 kg in a inter-university competition that too when she was grappling with injury and the doctor had advised her against it so as to not risk her life. Manjeet, who has participated in more than half a dozen national and international power lifting competitions, began her journey after she was selected for National Open Powerlifting Championship in 2006 where she lifted 352 kg weight in 90 kg weight category.

“When I suffered an injury to my leg and shoulder in an accident in December 2008, my doctors advised me not to risk my life and give the injury more time to heal. But since I had to participate in the interuniversity competition in February, I thought it would be worth a risk taken”, says Manjeet.

“I started practicing for the event in January 2009 despite the doctors advise and won Gold in the event. My parents and my coach supported me immensely during my injury and it was only because of their prayers and efforts that I was able to do it”.

In the same year in May 2009 when she was still being treated for the injury, she participated in Senior Asia Championship in Udaipur on May 6, 2009 and in Senior Bench Press Asia Competition in Chandigarh in August 2009 where she won silver and

Manjeet is preparing for the Senior National Powerlifting Competition later this year, Senior World Bench Press Competition in USA scheduled to be held in February 2011 and whose ultimate aim is to win medal for India in Olympics attributes her success to her parents and coach Vikram Sharma. “I first spotted this girl while I had gone to prepare some power lifters for Punjab from Government Ranbir College in Sangrur. She had the streak and I thought it was worth training her for national and international events and here she is”, said Sharma, international coach of power lifting who represented India as a coach in Junior world power lifting competition in September 2008.

Paris, September 29
Chelsea and Arsenal maintained their perfect records to edge closer to the Champions League last 16, while Europe's elite club competition revelled in a little Brazilian magic. Chelsea handed former player Didier Deschamps a miserable Stamford Bridge return as his French champions Marseille suffered a 2-0 defeat yesterday.

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, rocked by their shock 3-2 Premier League defeat by West Brom, overcame a testing night, as well as faulty floodlights, in Serbia to see off 10-man Partizan Belgrade 3-1. Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea had suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season at Manchester City on Saturday, just days after crashing out of the League Cup against Newcastle.

But there were no such problems against Marseille thanks to an early goal from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka's first-half penalty. The win left Chelsea top of Group F, ahead of Spartak Moscow on goal difference, after two games of their latest bid to win Europe's elite club competition for the first time.

Ancelotti said: "We had a good analysis about the last defeat, then we prepared this game well and played a good game. Now those defeats are forgotten." Deschamps was scathing of his team, who have lost both of their opening games.

"We were dominated both technically and physically. There was a huge difference between the two sides," said the 1998 French World Cup winner. — AP

SNIPPETS

‘Face’ of Games not really visible
Jyoti Rai
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 29
Even as Commonwealth Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi termed the CWG volunteers as the “face” of the games, the face is not very prominently visible at most Games venues including the Village. Hundreds of volunteers still await their accreditation process to get completed that has led to much fewer volunteers than expected on duty. Even those present on sites have little clue as to what they should be doing as their duty rosters are still not ready. Many volunteers have also missed the two-day training camp that ended today at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as they had no accreditation.

Even volunteers at the media center at Paragti Maidan turn blank when faced with agitated queries or questions of members of foreign delegations and others who come there for various reasons. The scene inside the Games Village today was similar with not many volunteers around, and with each query put to them they would reply with, “Let me get back to you in some time”.

Indian rugby team announced
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 29
For the first time ever in the history of Indian Rugby, the Indian team is participating in the prestigious Commonwealth Games 2010 at New Delhi. The Games will see top Rugby nations battling it out and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Indian fans to see rugby matches between the top rugby nations of the world. CWG Rugby event is often touted as the Mini World Cup of Rugby. The Indian squad for CWG 2010 is -

Captain Nasser Hussain will lead the twelve-member squad consisting of Amit Lochab (Delhi), Rohaan Sethna (Mumbai), Hrishikesh Pendse (Mumbai), Gautam Dagar (Delhi), Deepak Dagar (Delhi), Sujai Lama (Ahmednagar), Surinder Singh (Ahmednagar), Thimmaiah Mandanda (Bangalore), Kayrus Unwala (Mumbai), Puneet Krishnamoorthy (Bangalore).

Pakistan hockey team arrives
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 29
A 58-member Pakistan contingent, including their hockey team, will arrive tonight to swell today's arrival of athletes for the Commonwealth Games to 1, 150. A 146-member Australian contingent was the largest squad to arrive today, followed by England 97) and Singapore (75).

Around 3100 athletes and officials had already checked into the Village by last night, and today's arrivals take the numbers close to the 7000 athletes and officials who are finally expected to fill up the Village.

Many star athletes have arrived for the Games, who include six-time Olympic and seven-time World Trap shooting champion Susan Nattrass of Canada, though she has never won a gold in the Commonwealth Games. A very strong athletic contingent from Jamaica have also arrived while the Australian contingent boast of the women's hockey team, winners of three Olympic gold medals, five World Cup medals, three Commonwealth Games emdals and 12 Champion Trophy titles.

QBR to reach Delhi today
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 29
The Queen's Baton Relay will finally roll into Delhi tomorrow, after making a round of all the 71 Commonwealth Games participating countries and across India, for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The baton will be kept at the Organising Committee headquarters at Palika Bhawan on Parliament street tomorrow, which will be received by a posse of VIPs, including OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi, Sports Minister Dr M.S.Gill and Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, between 12.30 and 1 p.m.

On the first day of the Queen's Baton's arrival in Delhi, it will be kep at the OC Headquarters, and on October 1 and 2, it will be taken around Vijay Chowk, India Gate, Teen Murti Bhawan, Qutub Minar, Bahaai Lotus Temple, Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, St. Columba's Cathedral and the Games Village.

The Queen's Baton will make its final journey to the Nehru Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games on October 3.