Delhi 2010

[Arush Mittal]

Yeah. And you can also see the tunnel that is being constructed solely for the opening & closing ceremonies, from where the performers will enter into the ground directly from outside the stadium.

[Citius Altius Fortius]

Yeah. And you can also see the tunnel that is being constructed solely for the opening & closing ceremonies, from where the performers will enter into the ground directly from outside the stadium.

... and I thought this tunnel will be the 100 m track

[Arush Mittal]

... and I thought this tunnel will be the 100 m track

well, you seem to be lame enough.

[4gamesandcounting]

Well looks like the venues are coming on.

[Arush Mittal]

NEW DELHI, INDIA - JANUARY 28: Central Public Works Department workers dig up the tunnel at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in New Delhi on January 28, 2010. The tunnel right beneath the field would enable performers to 'pop up' in the centre of the ground within seconds when their act starts during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. (Photo by Jyoti Kapoor/India Today Group/Getty Images)

[Arush Mittal]

Hockey - DONE!

Wrestling - DONE!

Now, Shooting - DONE!

PTI, 31 January 2010, 06:27pm IST

NEW DELHI: The newly renovated Karni Singh Shooting Range, which was inaugurated on Sunday, drew praise from all quarters with Sports Minister MS Gill terming the venue as one of the best shooting facilities in the world.

"I think, it (shooting range) is the best in the world. The range has been equipped with all up-to-date technical facilities. I feel it is also the best in terms of the scenic view and landscape," Gill said at the inaugural function.

"There is nothing lacking in this range. The Beijing Olympics range even didn't impress me.

"When I first visited it in 2008, I was little apprehensive. I was in doubt whether it can be completed on time but in just 13 months it is ready and the credit goes to all those who are involved in the venture," he added.

His views were backed by Commonwealth Shooting Federation chief Graeme Hudson, who returned to the country on the request of the Sports Ministry after being forced to resign as the Sports Manager (shooting) for 2010 Commonwealth Games by the CWG Organising Committee and the National Rifle Association of India.

"It is a world class shooting range. I would certainly rank it among the top three in the world if not number one. It has all the state-of-the-art facilities," Hudson said.

The New Zealand-based shooting expert feels the two-day Commonwealth Shooting Championship from February 17 is the perfect opportunity to test the facilities of the range, which was renovated with an investment of Rs 150 crore.

"We won't have a big field in Commonwealth Championship but it gives us a chance to test the venue. The new range looks excellent and the constructors took the right decision by demolishing the old range," Hudson said.

Former marksmen and Indian Olympic Association secretary-general Randhir Singh also feels the Commonwealth Championship will give a fair idea about the fine-tuning that the range requires before hosting the October 3-14 mega-event.

"The range looks excellent. The facilities that have been made are good enough to hold the Commonwealth Championship. We still have more than six months in hand to put in place everything," Randhir said.

Athens Olympics silver medallist Rajvardhan Singh Rathore also agreed that even though the range looked wonderful, the shooters will get a feel of the facilities once the national camp begins from Monday.

"The range is new and bigger. If you look at location and facilities it is the best in the world. But there will be some problems which can be taken care off in due course of time," Rathore said.

"We will get the knowledge of how the facilities work once the camp starts here tomorrow," the armyman added.

[Rafa]

Was the shooting venue not an existing venue?

[Arush Mittal]

Was the shooting venue not an existing venue?

Yes. This is what the report says, it has been 'renovated', though, the existing range was demolished completely, and a new range was constructed.

Here are some more pictures of the Shooting Venue:

______

Indian videojournalists film the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range after its opening in New Delhi on January 31, 2010. Remodelled and renovated at a cost of 1,5 billion rupees (32,4 million USD), the location will host the shooting event during the Commonwealth Games in October. AFP PHOTO/ Manpreet ROMANA (Photo credit should read MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images)

_____

Indian Youth Affairs and Sports Minister M.S. Gill visits the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range after its opening in New Delhi on January 31, 2010. Remodelled and renovated at a cost of 1,5 billion rupees (32,4 million USD), the location will host the shooting event during the Commonwealth Games in October. AFP PHOTO/ Manpreet ROMANA (Photo credit should read MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images)

_____

An Indian official visits the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range after its opening in New Delhi on January 31, 2010. Remodelled and renovated at a cost of 1,5 billion rupees (32,4 million USD), the location will host the shooting event during the Commonwealth Games in October. AFP PHOTO/ Manpreet ROMANA (Photo credit should read MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images)

[Lee]

Existing venue - DONE!

[stir.ts]

basketball article Edited February 3, 2010 by stirthesoul

[Arush Mittal]

Existing venue - DONE!

PTI, 31 January 2010, 06:27pm IST

NEW DELHI: The 'newly renovated' Karni Singh Shooting Range, which was inaugurated on Sunday, drew praise from all quarters with Sports Minister MS Gill terming the venue as one of the best shooting facilities in the world.

The entire shooting range has been overhauled. This is why 'Shooting Range - Done!' was written. Read the article first, and then post in the forum.

[Lee]

The entire shooting range has been overhauled. This is why 'Shooting Range - Done!' was written. Read the article first, and then post in the forum.

Arush. I did read the article and completely understand the fact that the venue had an ovehaul.

I just found it amusing that you listed the venues as "done, done, done" like you did only for someone to question whether one venue was existing. Perhaps you should be less "touchy".

I will put it down to the fact that you are passionate about your country.

Edited February 4, 2010 by Lee

[Arush Mittal]

Arush. I did read the article and completely understand the fact that the venue had an ovehaul.

I just found it amusing that you listed the venues as "done, done, done" like you did only for someone to question whether one venue was existing. Perhaps you should be less "touchy".

I will put it down to the fact that you are passionate about your country.

Well, this is what I am trying to convey. When a project is finished, it is said to be 'done', and of-course I am excited about the fact, that how, 3 venues were inaugurated in a single week.

And thanks for terming me as a 'Passionate citizen'. I didn't mean any offence to anyone here. My sincere apologies if I did sound rude or harsh.

[Arush Mittal]

Belief rules psyche as India unveils venues

Source: Hindustan Times

[Arush Mittal]

A Games Route Clash At Root Of Traffic Obstacle

The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee has been asked to reschedule an event barely eight months before the Games because of traffic constraints, officials have said.

The route of a cycling event -- scheduled for October 10 -- clashes with a dedicated corridor for Games officials at two points, as well as passes close to the Talkatora Stadium, that hosts a diving event the same day.

The Cycling Mass Start event, that will begin at 9 am and end at 6 pm, includes a 165- km race for men and a 100- km for women. Participants from up to 71 competing countries are scheduled to cycle along the roads in the New Delhi area that will be converted into cycling tracks that day. Each country is allowed to field 27 athletes in the event, as per rules. A portion of the route encircles the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee sports complex at the Talkatora Stadium.

The event will start from Vijay Chowk and terminate at Sardar Patel Marg via RML Chowk, Shankar Road and Upper Ridge Road. It will overlap with the scheduled route of the Games officials at two points on Park Street and Kautilya Marg. " It would be impossible to reserve dedicated lanes for officials if the cycling mass is also held on the same day," traffic police special commissioner Ajay Chadha said.

The traffic police have said the events need to be rescheduled as holding the two competitions simultaneously will strain their resources.

" We had raised objections to the plan right from the beginning and had told the organisers that the two events should not coincide. So we were surprised when we saw the schedule," a senior traffic police officer said.

The police officer added that there are conflict points too, as the cycle mass route circumvents the Talkatora Stadium and would block the entry point of the visitors to the stadium. The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee is in- charge of making arrangements for all the competitions but it has specifically asked the Delhi government to take charge of the cycling road event.

Delhi's chief secretary Rakesh Mehta said he has written to the committee asking them to either change the date or the venue for the cycling competition.

" The traffic police have clearly said they can't make traffic arrangements for athletes and the general public if the two competitions are held the same day," Mehta said.

Mehta said the committee is expected to suggest within a fortnight ways to get around the problem.

The cycling event is being held at three places -- the first Yamuna Velodrome which is a part of the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the second at Greater Noida Expressway and this -- the third one which is called the road event. The government has suggested that the event could be held on the Greater Noida expressway in Delhi's neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh, where another cycling event is to be held on October 13, an official said.

" Time trials, a 40- km contest for men and a 29- km contest for women, will be held in that state. Even the road race can be held there," the official added.

Games organising committee officials could not be reached for their comments on the issue.

[LuigiVercotti]

Belief rules psyche as India unveils venues

Source: Hindustan Times

For some reason the original link wasn't working but now seems to be okay...hmmmm

Edited February 13, 2010 by eusebius65

[Arush Mittal]

Indian Express

[Arush Mittal]

[Sir Rols]

Oh dear!

Al-Qaeda warns Commonwealth Games

Al-Qaeda has issued a warning to the international community not to send sports people to the Commonwealth Games in India later this year, or to next week's Hockey World Cup in New Delhi.

New Zealand hockey players are among 10 nations who will next week move around Delhi under armed guard.

India's government has launched an urgent review of security for sports events in the wake of a weekend bomb blast which appeared to target foreigners.

Nine people died in the blast in a coffee house favoured by foreigners in the Pune, near Mumbai.

Asia Times Online said this afternoon it had received a message from top guerrilla commander Ilyas Kashmiri, whose 313 Brigade is an operational arm of al-Qaeda.

"We warn the international community not to send their people to the 2010 Hockey World Cup, IPL (Indian Premier League - a cricket competition involving international players) and Commonwealth Games. Nor should their people visit India - if they do, they will be responsible for the consequences."

Al-Qaeda vowed to continue their attacks across India until the Indian Army left the disputed province of Kashmir.

The Pune bombing killed nine people, including two foreigners, and injured 57.

The Hindu newspaper said the hockey players from 10 nations will have armed policemen accompanying them in their team buses which will take the sportsmen to the stadium from the hotel.

The buses in which the players will travel from their hotels to the stadium will also have a police escort.

"This is a major event. We have finalised a security plan for the event. Three to five armed policemen will be in buses ferrying players to the stadium. There will also be an escort for them," a senior police official said.

There is also concern around the Commonwealth Shooting Championship which begins tomorrow and the Indian Premier League cricket.

A Hindu extremist group in Mumbai has already threatened to protest at Australian players in the IPL because of attacks on Indians in Australia.

Last night in Delhi the Cabinet Committee on Security reviewed the security situation in the country.

The Hindu newspaper reported that as a result the Home Ministry has decided to review the security arrangements for sports events.

Informed sources said the concern was over the world hockey championship as any terror incident in the run-up to the event might send the wrong signals.

Home Secretary GK Pillai said the government had put in place an elaborate arrangement for the tournament.

"We are in close touch with security liaison officers of all countries that are coming here to participate. So far, all of them have seen the preparations done by the Delhi Police and the Home Ministry and they are quite satisfied," he said.

The Hockey World Cup will have the participation by 10 countries and around 400 players and delegates.

Delhi police are taking the World Cup as a "dress rehearsal" ahead of the Commonwealth Games in putting in place a security apparatus and planning traffic for the mega event.

Meanwhile the US, the UK and Australia have issued travel advisories to their citizens in view of the bomb blast at a famous eatery frequented by foreigners in Pune, asking them to maintain a "heightened situational awareness and a low profile".

"American citizens are advised to be alert to the continued possibility of terrorist attacks in India."

The Australian Commonwealth Games Association Perry Crosswhite told AAP he had been in contact with their Department of Foreign Affairs.

"We are renewing our request for information."

Mr Crosswhite said the athletes would not face the same security risks faced by everyday tourists.

"All the areas where our team is going to be - the village, the airport - are all going to be extremely secure."

stuff.co.nz

[micheal_warren]

This is not good at all and will unnerve all other teams. Delhi know need to prove that they have security under control.

[Ikarus360]

Uh oh...i don't like the sound of this. But organizers must do everything they can to assure the security of the championship/games and guarantee the safety to the competitors, they cant give up just because of terrorist threats, even if it is Al Qaeda...

[Sir Rols]

I agree. There's no question that we can't let the terrorists win by caving into thewir demands and not going. But many countries I think are going to have to give their athletes the choice of whether to go or not without penalty.

I'm sure it's not going to be good for tour st and spectator numbers either.

[micheal_warren]

I agree. There's no question that we can't let the terrorists win by caving into thewir demands and not going. But many countries I think are going to have to give their athletes the choice of whether to go or not without penalty.

I'm sure it's not going to be good for tour st and spectator numbers either.

This from stuff.co.nz

We must not let the terrorists win!

The government has ruled out telling New Zealand sports teams to stay home from the Commonwealth Games in India after new terror threats.

Some of New Zealand's top athletes have already left for India to compete at the Games, which has become the subject of a terror warning by al Qaeda.

The warning, which was sent to the Asia Times newspaper, set sports teams and event organisers scrambling to decide on a response. The New Zealand Cricket Players Association questioned whether planned tournaments should now proceed.

Mr Key said today the government was monitoring the situation closely and working closely with its counterparts in India.

The New Zealand government was not in a position to assess the validity of the threat.

"Clearly there are risks in general at any large sporting event.”

But he ruled out the Government telling sports teams not to travel to India.

"We haven't given them that advice. The decision whether to travel or not ultimately rests with the sporting team. We wouldn't stop a sporting team going".

While New Zealand's shooting and hockey teams are en route to India, up to 200 Kiwi athletes are also due to travel there for October's Commonwealth Games.

The Asia Times reported receiving the message on Monday from top guerrilla commander Ilyas Kashmiri, whose 313 Brigade is an operational arm of al Qaeda.

"We warn the international community not to send their people to the 2010 Hockey World Cup, IPL and Commonwealth Games. Nor should their people visit India – if they do, they will be responsible for the consequences," the message read.

The warning, which included a vow to continue attacks, came two days after a bombing which killed 10 people in a German bakery in western India.

The bombing was the first major strike on Indian soil since 166 people were killed during an assault in Mumbai in November 2008.

Hockey New Zealand says it still plans to send the Black Sticks to India.

Hockey NZ chief executive Hillary Poole told Radio New Zealand the organisation had been monitoring the security situation very closely and had been working closely with their security advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We're also seeking detailed advice from the FIH (International Hockey Federation), who are responsible for hosting the Hockey World Cup in Delhi."

Ms Poole said at this stage Hockey New Zealand was comfortable about sending the team over, but were monitoring the situation closely.

"The security and safety of our team is paramount and we are continuing to seek advice from our security advisors."

New Zealand men's hockey coach Shane McLeod was unaware of the al Qaeda warning when contacted last night.

He said the team were comfortable with security arrangements presently in place but was unsure how the landscape would now change.

"Up until this point in time we've felt pretty comfortable about where we're at and how well we'd be looked after," McLeod said.

"We had (been fully briefed) prior to this obviously. We've got a security guy going with us and a lot of time has been spent on that security issue."

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The Black Sticks were booked at a hotel not far from the Dhyan Chand National Stadium, with the bus journey estimated at 10 minutes.

"It's pretty much from the turf to the hotel is where we expect to spend most of our time. We've been briefed that we won't be touring around," McLeod said.

The New Zealand team are scheduled to leave for New Delhi from Perth on Monday after completing a series of buildup matches against Australia.

New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills said major sporting events in India must be under threat given the latest warning.

"This was already a very serious issue but in the light of recent developments I think it must cast doubt on whether the events will even go ahead."

The association had employed an Australian security expert to advise New Zealand players in the Indian Premier League tournament, which starts in mid-March.

Anyone planning to travel to India was advised last night by the Foreign Affairs Ministry to register their travel plans on the Safe Travel website.

A spokesman said caution was advised when travelling to India, particularly as recent terrorist attacks had targeted large cities.

The New Zealand Shooting Federation had five athletes and a manager on their way to Delhi for the Commonwealth Shooting Championships last night. Spokesman Gavin Paton was waiting to hear from them.

The Black Caps' IPL players, Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum, were unaware of the threats as they left the field after day two of the test in Hamilton last night.

New Zealand Cricket would monitor international developments closely and seek advice from the International Cricket Council, a spokesman said.

New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) president Mike Stanley said the latest threat would require consultation with relevant government departments and Games bosses.

"The word al Qaeda has got quite a bit of cut to it," Mr Stanley said when made aware of the threat last night.

He promised security issues would be paramount as the Commonwealth Games approached.

"The information we have is that the security preparations are going well and in that area the Games will be very well provided for."

- By KIRAN CHUG with TRACY WATKINS, GEOFF LONGLEY, DUNCAN JOHNSTONE and NZPA

[Arush Mittal]

Hindustan Times

[LuigiVercotti]

Hindustan Times

Um, where in the actual article does anyone say that there is "Fool proof security for the games", aside from the screaming headlines without any further attribution?

Meanwhile, as terrorists posture and threaten on the subcontinent here's what one of our leading security experts says:

Australia must heed threats: expert