Delhi delirious as they are awarded the 2010 Commonwealth Games
The Delhi bid team was celebrating today as they were awarded the right to host the 2010 edition of the Commonwealth Games. This will be the first time that the Games will be hosted on the sub-continent.
The decision was taken during the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly meeting which took place in the Half Moon Bay Resort in Jamaica today. Delhi was bidding to host the Games against Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The vote was comfortable with Delhi winning 46 votes out of a possible 72 against Hamilton’s 22. The Assembly responded warmly to the presence of cricketing Legend Sunil Gavaskar and four-time Commonwealth Gold Medalist and World Champion Rifle Shooter Anjali Bhagwat.
Standing amongst the delirious Delhi contingent, Bid leader and Indian National Olympic Committee President Suresh Kalmadi declared “this is a great moment for sport and for India. I am immensely proud of the work that has been done by our team. Their inspired effort and commitment has carried this bid forward, ensuring that we delivered a bid was the best for India, the best for the respective national associations, but most importantly, the best for the athletes.”
As Kalmadi looked forward to a night of celebration he commented “I would like to thank Hamilton for being such a worthy competitor, they have confirmed to me that the Games are more than just a sporting event, they are about that unique family – the Commonwealth Games movement. We will take the principles of our bid which focused on exploring New Frontiers for the Commonwealth Games movement as well as helping to foster New Friendships all the way through to 2010 when we will host the best, most progressive Commonwealth Games ever”
Kalmadi promised that preparations to host the 2010 Games would begin straight away, save for a suitable period of recovery after the celebrations.