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India presents C`wealth bid with pomp and pageantry: The Hndustan Times
London, May 31: The sheer colour and vigour of the presentation of India`s bid for the XIXth Commonwealth Games at a special ceremony on Friday morning in Marlborough House, headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, should ensure it the opportunity to host it in Delhi in 2010 and outbid Canada vying to host the Games in Hamilton.
London, May 31: The sheer colour and vigour of the presentation of India's bid for the XIXth Commonwealth Games at a special ceremony on Friday morning in Marlborough House, headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, should ensure it the opportunity to host it in Delhi in 2010 and outbid Canada vying to host the Games in Hamilton.
"India stands a very good chance," agreed most including the noted sports columnist Mihir Bose. He told HindustanTimes.com's UK Bureau that the country had "this time block support".
Britain is likely to throw its weight behind India in return of the latter's support for England's bid to stage the 2012 Olympics in London. The fact that Pakistan is openly and quite enthusiastically supporting India's bid was particularly mentioned. It would remove all security apprehensions.
This is the first time, said Michael Fennel, Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) that a special ceremonial event was organised for the presentation of bids. "And, it has proved to be great success with such a large turn-out to watch the ceremony." The spirit of competitiveness was apparent from the gates of the Marlborough House where Hamilton supporters were parked in a red-coloured double-decker London bus shouting "Hamilton, Hamilton".
But, at the presentation, Canada played it cool. It put its case across depending more on appeals from its medal-winning athletes, including gold medallist Bruny Surin and then also stressed that the 80th birthday of the Games that started from Hamilton in 1930 could be celebrated there as a commemoration.
Their bid was presented to Prince Andrew, who had come specially to accept the presentations on behalf of the Commonwealth Games Federation, by a five-year-old "youngest athlete" accompanied by a few sportspersons who had participated in the 2002 Game in Manchester.
India's presentation, on the other hand, had shades of pageantry. Four young women dressed in golden Rajasthani choli and lahenga stood at the entrance of the building and applied tilak on the forehead of all the invitees. Two young men with ceremonial swords stood at attention while shehnai played classical tunes.
Miss Diana Hayden, 1999 Miss World, who was attired in a traditional bridal dress, was brought for presentation of India's bid in a procession to the accompaniment of rhythmic beats of drums. That did take most by surprise.
After the formal presentations, details of preparation and the capability of Hamilton to host the Games were made by several members of the Canadian delegation that included legislators and sports officials. A large number of athletes again spoke exhorting the advantages of holding the Games in Hamilton.
The Minister of Sports, Vikram Verma and Suresh Kalmadi, President of the Indian Olympics Association, presented India's case arguing that Delhi has held many international level events and had the infrastructure to host the Games. But, before the function ended, Malkit Singh and his troupe preformed bhangra, singing gur naro ishk meetha and tu takh tutia which had even Canadian supporters clapping.
Summing up India's chances, Vikram Verma told HindustanTimes.com's UK Bureau: "Apart from once in Malaysia, Games have never been held in our region. It is in keeping with the spirit of Commonwealth that India should get the opportunity to host the 2010 Games. Apart from the fact that India is the most major member of the Commonwealth, the Games there would help boost interest in sports among the youngsters and it is the young who will be future ambassadors of the Commonwealth spirit of friendship without borders."
The assessment of the two venues would begin immediately. The Commission would present its report to the Federation before the general body meeting of all 72 Commonwealth member countries in November. The selection of the host will be announced after voting at the CGF General Assembly meeting in Jamaica on November 13.
"India stands a very good chance," agreed most including the noted sports columnist Mihir Bose. He told HindustanTimes.com's UK Bureau that the country had "this time block support".
Britain is likely to throw its weight behind India in return of the latter's support for England's bid to stage the 2012 Olympics in London. The fact that Pakistan is openly and quite enthusiastically supporting India's bid was particularly mentioned. It would remove all security apprehensions.
This is the first time, said Michael Fennel, Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) that a special ceremonial event was organised for the presentation of bids. "And, it has proved to be great success with such a large turn-out to watch the ceremony." The spirit of competitiveness was apparent from the gates of the Marlborough House where Hamilton supporters were parked in a red-coloured double-decker London bus shouting "Hamilton, Hamilton".
But, at the presentation, Canada played it cool. It put its case across depending more on appeals from its medal-winning athletes, including gold medallist Bruny Surin and then also stressed that the 80th birthday of the Games that started from Hamilton in 1930 could be celebrated there as a commemoration.
Their bid was presented to Prince Andrew, who had come specially to accept the presentations on behalf of the Commonwealth Games Federation, by a five-year-old "youngest athlete" accompanied by a few sportspersons who had participated in the 2002 Game in Manchester.
India's presentation, on the other hand, had shades of pageantry. Four young women dressed in golden Rajasthani choli and lahenga stood at the entrance of the building and applied tilak on the forehead of all the invitees. Two young men with ceremonial swords stood at attention while shehnai played classical tunes.
Miss Diana Hayden, 1999 Miss World, who was attired in a traditional bridal dress, was brought for presentation of India's bid in a procession to the accompaniment of rhythmic beats of drums. That did take most by surprise.
After the formal presentations, details of preparation and the capability of Hamilton to host the Games were made by several members of the Canadian delegation that included legislators and sports officials. A large number of athletes again spoke exhorting the advantages of holding the Games in Hamilton.
The Minister of Sports, Vikram Verma and Suresh Kalmadi, President of the Indian Olympics Association, presented India's case arguing that Delhi has held many international level events and had the infrastructure to host the Games. But, before the function ended, Malkit Singh and his troupe preformed bhangra, singing gur naro ishk meetha and tu takh tutia which had even Canadian supporters clapping.
Summing up India's chances, Vikram Verma told HindustanTimes.com's UK Bureau: "Apart from once in Malaysia, Games have never been held in our region. It is in keeping with the spirit of Commonwealth that India should get the opportunity to host the 2010 Games. Apart from the fact that India is the most major member of the Commonwealth, the Games there would help boost interest in sports among the youngsters and it is the young who will be future ambassadors of the Commonwealth spirit of friendship without borders."
The assessment of the two venues would begin immediately. The Commission would present its report to the Federation before the general body meeting of all 72 Commonwealth member countries in November. The selection of the host will be announced after voting at the CGF General Assembly meeting in Jamaica on November 13.