Commonwealth Games 2010

Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games, a Sports meet of athletes of British Commonwealth countries, is held every four years in the city that bids the highest for hosting the Games. The upcoming Commonwealth Games that are to be held in New Delhi, India from October 3-14, 2010 were last held in Melbourne, Australia between 15-26 March in 2006. The Games are the most awaited Athletics & Sports meet among the Commonwealth nations. Its tickets are sold out days long before the scheduled event. Next meet i.e. 2014 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.

History of Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games first began in 1930 as British Empire Games and were hosted by Canada. It soon changed its name to British & Commonwealth Games in 1954 and later it became British Commonwealth Games in 1970. The Games got its name – Commonwealth Games in 1974. The sports meet has been held in various cities of Commonwealth nations since then and even has been boycotted by nations to show protest against the Apartheid practice in South Africa by the crown.

Common Practices at Commonwealth Games

Prior to every Commonwealth Games meet there is a relay of athletes carrying baton from Buckingham Palace to the opening ceremony at the host country. A "Parade of Athletes" is held whereby all nations march in an alphabetical order and the host nation of the previous Games marches first. The host of the existing Games marches in the end of the Parade. There are only three National Flags- previous Games host, current host and the next Games host, fly from the stadium to poles used for medal ceremonies.

Commonwealth Games Village Delhi 2010


In 2010, India will be hosting the Commonwealth Games for the first time. This is the biggest ever sports event to be held on the Indian soil after 1982 Asian Games. India will be the second nation in Asia after Malaysia to host the Games. The Commonwealth Games 2010 opening and closing ceremony will take place at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in an extravagant style. A Countdown Run of “1000 Days to Go” flagged down by Mr. Tejinder Khanna received astounding response from people of all ages and fields. The Games logo that was revealed on 6th January, 2008 has been inspired by Ashok Chakra symbolizes freedom, unity and power of the Indian natives. The diverse culture and vibrancy of India is magnificently depicted by the various colours of the logo. It conveys the rise of India as a major Global Economic power. The different games to be organized by the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 with the motto "Come out and Play" are:

• Archery
• Athletics
• Aquatics
• Badminton
• Boxing
• Cycling
• Gymnastics
• Hockey
• Rugby
• Shooting
• Squash
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling


Third Youth Commonwealth Games

India hosted the Third Youth Commonwealth Games at Pune, Maharashtra on 12-18 October, 2008, received a huge response and terrific appreciation from all. The Indian Government was incredibly praised for being outstanding hosts. The various sports events held at the Youth Commonwealth Games were:

• Athletics
• Badminton
• Boxing
• Shooting
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling

Delhi's Preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has constructed a 230.7 million US Dollar Games Village of global standards near the eastern banks of the River Yamuna, on NH 24. The village that is spread over 63.5 acres is situated adjacent to the world's most expensive and famed Akshardham Temple, Noida. It is located right near all famous tourist spots of Delhi like Lotus Temple, Humayun's Tomb, Iskcon Temple, Red Fort, India Gate. Key shopping areas are also located nearby like Connaught Place, Greater Kailash, South Ex, Lajpat Nagar and the various malls of South Delhi and Noida. The Delhi Government, over the last few years, has taken radical steps for the advancement of the city and has skillfully changed the whole appearance of the capital. The DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) was one of the first initiatives of the Government and it received astonishing admiration from not just the natives but the world over. The BRT corridor connecting South Delhi to Central Delhi, revamp of bus shelters, restoration of the various heritage sites, excellent public transport system, the Yamuna Tunnel Project, Flyovers, clover flyovers, 8 lane toll on NH 8 connecting Delhi-Gurgaon, introduction of economy cabs, small & medium hotels as well as guest houses, etc are some of the foremost steps taken by the Delhi Government for Commonwealth Games 2010.

Now all public places and the entire public transport has been specifically planned to be disable-friendly like low floor CNG buses, air conditioned low floor buses, Delhi Metro, Delhi Railway Stations. The Indira Gandhi International Airport has also undergone an absolute change ever since it has been taken-over by GMR Infrastructure. A new runway was recently added and is the biggest till date. All the multi national brands have opened their outlets in Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).

Other Preparations

Delhi Government is striving to make the city completely pollution free with its entire public transport CNG based. Lots of entertainment facilities are being upgraded and created. Special English teaching classes are being provided to all those who are expected to in regular contact with tourists e.g. Cab drivers, guards, waiters, service staff, auto drivers, bus conductors, metro staff, Airport staff, Railway staff, etc. Additionally, use of renewable energy, use of solar energy, water harvesting, green buildings, is also being promoted by Delhi Govt. for Commonwealth Games 2010.


Games Venues

Venues Address Phone No
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Lodi Estate, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium Patiala House, Near Shreya Hospital, New Delhi, 110001 011-23389740
Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium Complex IP Estate, New Delhi - 110002
Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range Surajkund Road, Tughlakabad Fort, New Delhi, 110043 011-6986802,09871220884
Tyagraj Sports Complex
Talkatora Indoor Stadium Near Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
Siri Fort Complex August Kranti Marg, Khelgaon, New Delhi, 110049 011-26497482, 26496657
Yamuna Sports Complex Surajmal Vihar, New Delhi, 110092 011-22166499
Delhi University University Of Delhi, North Campus, Near Mall Road, Delhi 110007 011-27667190
R.K. Khanna Tennis Complex Tennis Complex, Africa Avenue, Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi - 110029 (011) 26176279, 26176250, 26176258
SPM Swimming Pool Complex


Training Venues
Event Training Venue Address Phone Number
Aquatics Major Dhyan Chandra National stadium Patiala House, New Delhi H.O. Delhi-110001 Near Shreya Hospital 011-23389740
Aquatics Siri Fort Sports Complex August Kranti Marg, New Delhi - 110 049 (Near Siri Fort Auditorium)
Aquatics Yamuna Sports Complex Surajmal Vihar, New Delhi 110092 22166499
Athletics Thyagaraj Sports Complex
Athletics Chattrasal Stadium
Athletics Games Village
Athletics Delhi University Benito Jaurez Road, New Delhi- 110021 Fax: 24110174
Athletics Games Village
Badminton Siri fort Sports Complex August Kranti Marg, New Delhi - 110 049 (Near Siri Fort Auditorium)
Badminton Saket Sports complex Saket, New Delhi - 110017 29561581,29561678 29561581
Boxing Delhi University Benito Jaurez Road, New Delhi- 110021 Fax: 24110174
Cycling Velodrome, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex I.P. Estate. New Delhi - 110002
Gymnastics Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium IP Estate, New Delhi - 110002
Gymnastics Yamuna Sports Complex(Rhythmic Gymnastics) Surajmal Vihar, New Delhi 110092 22166499
Hockey Maj. Dhyan Chand National Stadium Near India Gate, 3 km away from the Commonwealth Games Village, New Delhi.
Hockey Shivaji Stadium Bhagat Singh Marg, Near Gole Market, New Delhi - 110001
Lawn Bowls Siri Fort Sports Complex August Kranti Marg, New Delhi - 110 049 (Near Siri Fort Auditorium)
Netball Delhi university University Of Delhi, North Campus, Near Mall Road, Delhi 110007 011 27667190
Netball Games Village
Rugby St. Stephan's College University Enclave, Delhi - 110007
Rugby Hindu College North Campus, Delhi University, Kamla Nagar, Delhi 110007 011 27667184
Rugby Khalsa College Dev Nagar, New Delhi-110 005.
Rugby Ramjas College University Enclave Delhi, Delhi 110007
Rugby Kirorimal College University Of Delhi, North Campus, Delhi 110007
Rugby Sri Ram College of Commerce Delhi University North Campus, Maurice Nagar, Delhi 110007
Rugby Daulatram College 4. Patel Marg, Maurice Nagar, Delhi 011 27667863
Rugby Jamia Milia Islamia University Okhla New Delhi, New Delhi 110020 011 26983169
Shooting Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range Surajkund Road,Tughlakabad Fort, New Delhi, 110043 6986802, 09871220884
Shooting CRPF Campus, Kadarpur
Squash Siri Fort Sports Complex August Kranti Marg, New Delhi - 110 049 (Near Siri Fort Auditorium) 26497482, 26496657
Table Tennis Yamuna Sports Complex Surajmal Vihar, New Delhi 110092 22166499
Table Tennis Jamia Milia Islamia
Weightlifting Games Village,Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Bhism Pitamah Road, Lodhi Road, Delhi-110003 Near-Sai Baba Mandir 011-24369400, 24369409
Wrestling Sri Ram College of Commerce(women) Delhi University North Campus, Maurice Nagar, Delhi 110007
Wrestling Ludlow Castle
Wrestling Games Village
Tennis R.K.Khanna Sports Complex
Tennis Siri Fort Sports Complex August Kranti Marg, New Delhi - 110 049 (Near Siri Fort Auditorium)
Archery Yamuna Sports Complex Surajmal Vihar, New Delhi 110092 22166499