New Delhi: Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II have congratulated 2010 Delhi CWG Organising Committee for the successful launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay in London.
The OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi has received the messages, in which they have praised the committee for making a good start of the countdown to the October 3-14 Games, at the Buckingham Palace on October 29.
“It was certainly a good start to the countdown to October 2010 and I think, it left a very good impression on all who attended and those who watched the ceremony on television,” Fennell said in his message.
The Jamaican earlier expressed concern over the tardy preparation for the show-piece event and even sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention into the matter.
The Queen also thanked the OC for its support in making the launch of the QBR a memorable occasion, an OC release stated.
“It was both a colourful and impressive event and I know that it was enjoyed by all who took part. It was certainly a wonderful way for Her Majesty and President (Pratibha Devisingh) Patil to mark the end of the President’s State Visit to the United Kingdom,” the Queen said.
On Saturday, the Baton will travel to Twickenham, where England and Australia will play a rugby match before 60,000 spectators. The baton will then travel to Wales as part of its 190,000 kilometre journey.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, November 06, 2009, 21:57