CWG Games closing ceremony: Get ready for a blockbuster

NEARLY TWO weeks long Commonwealth Games 2010 has now reached to its final destination. Commonwealth Games closing ceremony is all set to be a blockbuster affair and it would take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium this evening. Prince Edward will be formally closing the Commonwealth Games 2010 on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse will be the guest of honor of the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony.

The closing ceremony of XIX Commonwealth Games promises to be an extravaganza of colours with multiple segments. Around 2,500 school students will perform along with 7,000 artists and create some lively dance and music to make the event memorable. The event will comprise dance, music, folk and modern music, screening of films and puppet shows. Commonwealth Games 2010 mascot Shera will be present during closing ceremony.

The main theme of the event is 'Universal Love' and the main part of the event is a colourful laser show along with India's martial arts. The world's largest helium balloon aerostat will again be the star attraction at the closing ceremony. Bollywood singers like Sunidhi Chauhan, Shankar Mahadevan and Kailash Kher, among others are all set to perform in the fun-fare event.

Celebrities from sports, flim and political fraternity will be attending the closing ceremony of XIX Commonwealth Games. The event will take place between 7 to 9-30 pm. and about 60,000 people are expected to attend it at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The Commonwealth Games Ceremonial Flag will be handed to the XX Commonwealth Games host city Glasgow.

Saina Nehwal creates history, enters badminton finals

INDIA's BADMINTON sensation and world No. 3, Saina Nehwal became the first Indian woman to enter the finals of the Commonwealth Games badminton event. History was made at the Siri Fort Complex in front of home crowd, when she easily defeated Susan Egelstaff of Scotland in straight sets 21-10 and 21-17.

The spectators' cheered for her as she stepped onto the court which was the last game of the day. Because of her unforced errors, Saina lost the initial points and the crowd also fell silent. However, the match transformed into an entirely different level as she recomposed herself and took to the winning stride.

She snatched the first set in just 12 minutes from Susan. However, the next game saw Susan pressing force as she started advancing which was powered by by some uncharacteristic mistakes committed by Saina at the net.

Fear gripped the home crowd when Susan took a 17-16 lead from Saina but with maximum levels of perseverance she advanced with a five pointer to enter the finals.

In doubles match Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa also moved into the final with a 12- 21, 21- 13, 21- 11 win over Kate Wilson Smith and He Ting Tiang of Australia.

Saina will meet Malaysian second seed Wong Mew Chew in the final.“It is great to be in the final of the Commonwealth Games," Saina said proudly.

Indian athlete Rani Yadav fails dope test

IN THE third case of doping in the Commonwealth Games 2010, Indian athlete Rani Yadav has tested positive for the banned substance Nandrolone. She participated in the 20-kilometre walk but did not win a Commonwealth Games medal.

Rani Yadav came sixth in the women's 20-kilometre walk last Saturday. According to games officials, Yadav has tested positive for 19-Norandrosterone, an anabolic agent.

Earlier, two Nigerian sprinters failed the dope test at the XIX Commonwealth Games, which have been largely remained dope free, barring few such instances. CGF President Michael Fennell earlier in the morning stated in a press conference that one Indian athlete had failed a dope test, but he had refused to reveal the name.

Fennel said that as per the practise, the name can be publicised only after the athlete is given the notification. He had said that official do not know yet, whether the athlete had received the notice and as such the name of Yadav was kept under wraps.

Earlier, Nigerian sprinter Samuel Okon, who finished sixth in the 110m hurdles final, was tested positive on Tuesday for the banned stimulant methylhexanamine.

Nigeria’s women’s 100m gold medal winner Osayemi Oludamola had also tested positive on Monday for the same substance.

Commonwealth Games: Indian tests positive for banned substance

IN THE second doping incident after two Nigerian athletes tested positive for a banned substance at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, an Indian athlete has been reported to have failed a dope test. The news was disclosed by Games Federation President, Michael Fennell although he did not disclose the athlete's name.

While addressing a press conference, Fennell said that the committee had received a positive result. The Federation had issued a notice to the athlete as well as the chef de mission. He further stated that as per the anti-doping practice, the name will be publicised only after the accused gets a notification.

He refused to mention the status of the notification and confirmed that the athlete is an Indian.

Nigerian sprinter Samuel Okon, who finished sixth in the 110m hurdles final tested positive on Tuesday for the banned stimulant methylhexanamine. Nigeria's women's 100m gold medal winner Osayemi Oludamola had also tested positive on Monday for the same substance.

The news has come as a shock for the entire Indian sporting fraternity especially when the nation was rejoicing its stupendous performances in various events. Speculation is now rife as to which player could have tested positive for the banned substance as no one wants a medal winner to turn out to be the culprit.

India has won a record number of gold medals in this games and it would not want the clock to turn back and that too when the games are coming to a close.

India to play against Australia in CWG Games hockey final

IT CAN be said that it was an unforgettable Tuesday when Indian men's hockey team stole the heart of all their fans. They were looking perfect, they were in rhythm and they dominated at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium. India defeated England by 5-4 in the tie-breaker to reach into the finals of the Commonwealth Games 2010.

During the 70 minutes of the game, both India and English team were 3-3. Once Indian team were behind 3-1 at the fully packed Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Fans were cheering for India and in the last 15 minutes of the play India never gave any chance to their opponent and scored two goals.

In the extra time both India and England were not able to score any goal. In the tie-breaker India's goal keeper Bharat Chetri saved Glenn Kirkham's penalty shot and secured the berth for final against defending Commonwealth Games champion Australia on October 14.

Meanwhile, on the ninth day of the Commonwealth Games 2010, Indian shooters Heena Sidhu and Annuraj Singh won 31st gold for the country in Women's 10m Air Pistol (Pairs) event, whereas, in the Women's 4×400m (Relay) event, Manjeet Kaur, Sini Jose, Ashwini Akkunji, & Mandeep Kaur bagged 32nd gold for the country.

In the Women's 50m Rifle Prone (Singles) event, Tejaswini Sawant and in the Men's 25m Standard Pistol (Pairs) event, Samresh Jung and Chandrasekhar Chaudhary won silver medals for the country.

In the badminton event, world third seeded badminton player Saina Nehwal reached into the women's single final. In the Women's Doubles event, Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta also qualified for the gold medal event at the Commonwealth Games 2010.

The verdict is out: CWG Delhi is a safe food destination

THE 2010 Commonwealth Games is seeing athletes and tourists from more than 70 countries come to the magnificent city of Delhi for the Games. But other than the sporting extravaganza guess what is keeping these visitors busy?

It is mouthwatering Indian food and delicacies! To ensure that the food is of the highest standards, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India has launched an initiative called Safe Food Destination (SFD) in various parts of the city.

The XIX Commonwealth Games has come as a big boost to Brand India. Delhi is all geared up welcoming the world serving its unique hospitality on platter. The SFD is a great initiative launched in coordination with standards devised by the government’s Food Safety & Standards Authority of India enabling serious restaurateurs to be at par with international standards of food safety and hygiene so that they are able to cater to both national as well as International tourists.

SFD is a wholesome package that offers – testing of the food products, training of the staff, auditing and consulting.

With the aim to establish India as a safe food destination (SFD) CWG Organizing Committee is adhering to food safety norms at all the food serving establishments and at home, making them cognizant of food safety and health hygiene.

The SFD initiative has turned into a huge success with the help of food quality giant TQS Global Management System (UK). TQS has used the services of its “Mobile Testing Van” to assure quality in food and services across various parts of the city. SFD has launched a two day program together with PFA, MCD and NDMC starting a walkathon and a food safety run at different prominent locations all over the capital. To name a few, places like Khan Market, Dilli Haat, Chandni Chowk and Karol Bagh were under the scanner inculcating world class quality consciousness.

N.L.B Pantulu, Vice President Operations, said "Mobile lab is a lab on wheels, where we conduct quite a number of food safety tests for food products. This lab is equipped with GPS tracking systems and wireless connectivity platforms with high security servers on board. It can conduct almost 18 to 20 adulteration tests, for ex. adulteration in milk, adulteration in paneer and khoya and many more. It is also equipped to conduct antibiotic residue tests, pesticide residue test alergen monitoring tests, water tests and a few microbiological tests, etc. I believe this is the first fully integrated Mobile laboratory (lab on wheels) of the country.”

The Organizing Committee of Commonwealth Games have hired the catering services of AFP Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, who are providing food packets to the workforce of CWG, including OC staff, volunteers and security personnel. This contract is worth Rs. 8.75 crore. While TQS GMS is also providing SFD program to one hundred and fifty outlets which is displayed during CWG at the games village.

With three levels of quality and nutritional auditing of food, beginning from the supply of raw material itself to food preparation and cleanliness, there is no scope for compromise making sure that it adheres to international standards.

Commonwealth Games 2010 closing ceremony: An extravaganza awaits

THE WORLD was bowled over by the Commonwealth Games 2010 opening ceremony. However, the spectators will have a feast with the closing ceremony of the games on Thursday when Jawaharlal Nehru stadium will be once again lit up with the traditional flavours.

Although the preparations for the closing ceremony are going hand in hand with the events, the closing ceremony will boast of a mélange of elements from 5,000 years of Indian culture and heritage, the closing ceremony will be more dynamic, and will emphasize modern and contemporary India.

"The closing ceremony will be a spectacular mass song and dance celebration. The closing is all about celebration. It is going to be very youthful, just like a hip hop party for all including athletes, volunteers and huge celebration time for everyone." Viraf Sarkari, Director Wizcraft International Entertainment which is an integral part of core team that also developed concepts for opening ceremony along with Organizing Committee.

The closing ceremony will be hosted on multiple stages with spectacular song and dance celebration with a colourful laser show with India’s martial arts as the main part of the show. The main theme of the event is ‘Universal Love’. Around 2,500 school students will go to perform with 7,000 artists from across India.

Opening ceremony's star attraction Aerostat, a helium balloon will now be used in a better way; the mirrors at the belly of the balloon, which failed to play huge role in the opening, will create a magical effect. All the players will walk in a mixed manner without making any distinction of countries, which is purposefully to display the whole world as a family.

Just like the opening ceremony, the closing event will be devoid of any performance by any actors. However, the Bollywood quotient will be added by the presence of singers like Sunidhi Chauhan, Shankar Mahadevan and Kailash Kher, among others. Games mascot Shera was absent from the main opening ceremony but he will be present during closing ceremony.

The troupe from Glasgow will also put up a performance similar to what India did in the Melbourne Games 2006, the closing ceremony here will see Scotland showcase a slice of its offering as a teaser of the Commonwealth Games 2014. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his wife will be the chief guest at the ceremony.

At the end of the closing ceremony, the Commonwealth Games Federation’s flag would be officially handed over to representatives of 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The tickets are priced at Rs 50,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 4,000, and Rs 750.