tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18442113433292575932024-02-08T10:05:04.076-08:00Commonwealth Games 2010 in DelhiDelhi in India will host the 19th Commonwealth Games from 3–14 October 2010Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-33240422481100582842009-12-12T02:24:00.000-08:002009-12-12T02:25:04.764-08:00Colours of India<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oSGcTDCKJx8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oSGcTDCKJx8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-39258730526841933372009-12-12T02:23:00.001-08:002009-12-12T02:23:49.615-08:00Incredible India - My India<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YgMZLhHhmfc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YgMZLhHhmfc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-72701634504772893722009-12-12T02:22:00.001-08:002009-12-12T02:22:50.346-08:00chalo delhi chale(let's go 2 delhi) 2010<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0eu1rz12eTM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0eu1rz12eTM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-64241627637457591702009-12-12T02:21:00.001-08:002009-12-12T02:21:53.380-08:00Welcome to India<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1xaENAKYQ1w&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1xaENAKYQ1w&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-65852393509415366052009-12-12T02:19:00.000-08:002009-12-12T02:20:16.042-08:00delhi commonwealth games 2010<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/irL7QhrpF8s&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/irL7QhrpF8s&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-37068905763939926152009-12-12T02:17:00.000-08:002009-12-12T02:18:06.360-08:00Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r_ue4HmrHv8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r_ue4HmrHv8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-7021142475088418272009-09-27T04:09:00.000-07:002007-09-27T04:10:48.408-07:00XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi, India<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi, India</strong><br /><br />Delhi 2010 Organising Committee<br />Gate No. 28A, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium<br />Lodhi Road<br />New Delhi 110003<br />India<br /><strong>Tel:</strong> +91 11 2436 7928 / 7929 / 7930<br /><strong>Fax:</strong> +91 11 2436 7931<br /><br /><strong>Organising Committee </strong><br />Chairman Mr Suresh Kalmadi MP<br />Vice Chairman Raj Randhir Singh<br />Secretary General Dr Lalit Bhanot </span>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-53636854303775066552008-01-26T21:21:00.000-08:002008-01-26T21:25:44.670-08:00New Delhi Games Village 2010<div align="justify">New Delhi is a business and political hub for India since medivial times till date. This is what it is famous for, in and outside India. It had an opportunity to host the Asian Games in 1981 but that was way back. It has regained its reputation as a business and political hub since then. What really is happening now is that New Delhi has to prove and present itself as a city which is a sports hub too apart from being just what it is.<br /><br /><strong>New Delhi Games Village</strong> is something completly new that is happening in New Delhi or even in India<br /><br />The Indian capital will have <strong>five new stadiums</strong> and a <strong>Games Village</strong> for the <strong>Commonwealth Games 2010</strong> to be held in October.<br /><br />One indoor stadium each will be constructed at the <strong>Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium</strong> for weightlifting, <strong>Indira Gandhi Sports Complex</strong> for wrestling, <strong>Siri Fort</strong> for badminton and squash and <strong>Yamuna Complex</strong> for table tennis.<br /><br /><strong>New Delhi games village plan</strong><br /><br />A 47.3 hectare (118 acre) picturesque site has been selected on the banks of the holy river Yamuna. To be created at a cost of USD 40 million, the <strong>Games Village</strong> has been underwritten by the government. There will be no cost to the Organizing Committee. Within its immediate vicinity are heritage monuments and historical landmarks. Combined with the dense green natural cover on the sides, it will be a relaxing and soothing environment for the athletes and officials. <strong>Athletes </strong>and Officials from all sports will stay at this one village. This facility will provide ultimate world class facility to the athlete. The development is in full swing.<br /><br />Delhi University was asked to build the Aquatics Center but its inability to build it due to many different reasons have been shown, other venues for holding aquatics events and rugby were under review.<br /><br />The government is on the look out for many other venues in and around <strong>New Delhi</strong> to hold many different events. The planning are all complete and it's just the implementation that is taking place.<br /><br />Setting out a time table, government said the work on sports venues was proposed to be completed by <strong>December 2009</strong>, which is a kind of risk if you compare it with the dates when the games are supposed to start, the <strong>Games Village</strong> by <strong>August 2010</strong> and civic infrastructure in phases by <strong>September 2010</strong>.</div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-40412630904928215412008-01-26T21:17:00.000-08:002008-01-26T21:21:00.301-08:00Commonwealth Games 2010 Overview<div align="justify">The commonwealth is <strong>NOT a political union</strong> of any sort, and it does not allow exercise of any power over the affairs of the organization's members. As it looks like, the organization is not made to influence any country economically or politically or to practice the strength of one country over the other but it is meant to establish and strengthen a friendly relationship between the member countries to help each others in future.<br /><br />So, let me explain, in a layman's language (the way I have learned) what Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games are all about.<br /><br />The <strong>Commonwealth is primarily an organization</strong> in which countries with diverse economic backgrounds have an opportunity for close and equal interaction. The primary activities of the Commonwealth are designed to create an atmosphere of economic co-operation between member nations, as well as the promotion of democracy, human rights, and good governance in those nations.<br /><br />As you might have guessed by now, the various sports activities like Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Bowls, Boxing, Cycling, EAD Events, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Rugby 7s, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis and Weightlifting are all meant to bring the countries together to strengthen the relationships. This time (2006) it was Australia next time (2010) it will be India.<br /><br />The important part to remember here is, just because you are a member country, this does not give you the right to organize the Commonwealth Games in your country. <strong>There are criterion that the member country has to meet before it can even "bid" for the commonwealth games to be held on its land.<br /></strong><br />You got a new term there, BID. Yes you heard that right, a member country actually has to place a bid and win the bid so that the games could be played on its land. India has won the bid last time over Canada. This is a moment of great pride that the events are going to be held in India, they not only won the bid but they are actually very close to meet all the deadlines that were given to prepare for the games and improve the infrastructure according to the international standards.<br /><br /><br /></div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-28374163472726644772007-12-15T21:14:00.000-08:002007-12-15T21:14:45.053-08:00Information Technology in India<a href="http://webusabilityhelp.blogspot.com/2007/12/information-technology-in-india.html">Information technology in India >> Website Design, CSS and Search Engine Marketing</a>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-38841515993634614852007-09-27T04:14:00.000-07:002007-09-27T04:16:12.925-07:00India to bid for Youth Olympic Games in 2014<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">India will bid to host the first ever Youth <strong>Olympic Games</strong>, to be introduced in 2014 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, President of the <strong>Indian Olympic Association</strong> (IOA) said in Pune on July 22.<br /><br />The IOC's decision to launch the Youth <strong>Olympic Games in 2010</strong> has been received with optimism by Indians.<br /><br />India, who dropped the idea of bidding for <strong>2016 Olympic games</strong> after their 2014 Asian Games bid failed in Kuwait, feel hosting the second edition of Youth Games in 2014 would be "a stepping stone" in their efforts to grab the rights for the 2020 Games.<br /><br />IOC president Jacques Rogge proposed at a recent meeting in Guatemala City that <strong>Youth Olympic Games</strong> were required to get the increasing number of "couch potatoes" on to the track or in the swimming pool.<br /><br />The IOC plans to use the Youth Olympics as an opportunity to give hosting rights to cities that missed out on the Olympics themselves. The games would be staged for participants aged between 12 to 18 years and selection would be done 18 months before the event is held.<br /><br />Mr. Kalmadi said the IOC has been giving a lot of stress on the youth of the world and hence they have decided to introduce the Youth Olympic Games in addition to the Summer and Winter Olympics, to not only promote the Olympic sports but also have their total involvement in sports activities.<br /><br />Expressing great optimism, Mr. Kalmadi, who heades the <strong>2008 Commonwealth Youth Games</strong> to be held at the Shiv Chhatarapati Sports City Mahalunge-Balewadi near here from October 12 to 18 next year, said India will certainly come out successful in its bidding after having been entrusted with responsibilities of hosting the 2008 CYG in Pune and later the <strong>2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi</strong>.<br /><br />He said he hopes that the IOA will be channelising all its efforts in bidding for the 2020 Olympic Games in the country. The bidding for the games will start in 2011 and the final decision would be taken in 2013, Mr. Kalmadi informed.<br /><br />He said all the nine venues for the ensuing 2008 CYG will be completed and handed over to the Games Organising Committee on May 31 next year. ''I have no doubt that the work has been going on in a fierce pace despite the onslaught of the monsoon. It would be completed much before the due date,'' Mr. Kalmadi elaborated.<br /><br />“This will give us the much needed time to test all the venues by hosting competitions in each of the nine disciplines namely -- athletics, swimming, tennis, badminton, shooting, boxing, weightlifting, wrestling and table tennis,” he said.<br /><br />With the exception of the new stadias being built for conducting badminton, table tennis, wrestling and weightlifting, work on other venues have been completed by over 30 per cent, Mr. Kalmadi said.<br /><br />The Pune 2008 CYG will serve as the trails for the prestigious <strong>2010 Commonwealth Games</strong> and has surpassed the earlier two editions held in Edinbrough in Scotland in 2000 and the scond held at Bendigo in Australia in 2004. It has attracted all the <strong>71 commonwealth countries</strong>, featuring about 2000 sportspersons and officials, he said. </span></div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-51456010168649637952007-09-27T04:06:00.001-07:002007-09-27T04:06:53.486-07:00Tourism Min mulls mega-shopping events by CWG2010<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Tourism ministry is working closely with the ministries of railways and civil aviation for setting up budget hotels accomodating 1,30,000 rooms and convention centres across the country to improve connectivity and accommodation by 2010 Commonwealth Games.<br /><br />The ministry also plans to organise four shopping events in three states of the country to attract more tourists and popularise hallmarked jewellery in India, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni told reporters at the 10th edition of the Festival of Gold here today.<br /><br />''Besides the ministries of railways and civil aviation, we are in talks with the Finance ministry to give tax incentives to the people involved in developing the proposed infrastructure. We plan to hold at least four shopping events before CWG 2010,'' Ms Soni said.<br /><br />''The purpose behind the endeavour is to co-relate tourism and the jewellery industry and also to promote the gold jewellers in India through such exposure. The ministry has identified Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh for the mega-events and is yet to finalise the third state.'' Citing that the tourism sector had the ''maximum potential'' for employment, the Minister said the events will act as an add-on for the tourists visiting India during CWG 2010 and will explore vast job opportunities for everyone involved.<br /><br />The proposed events are being planned on themes like the 'Surajkund Mela' in Haryana with jewellery being one of the segments besides participation from the artisans, cotton industry and the small and medium enterprises, but on a bigger level, Ms Soni said.<br /><br />MMMTC Ltd, the biggest bullion trader of gold with 20 per cent of Indian gold imports coming through it, recorded sales of Rs 13 crore from the gold festival last year and expects to earn about Rs 20 crore with over 70,000 pieces kept for display in its 10th year.<br /><br />''Looking at the behaviour of gold in the international market, the current time is the best time to buy gold. We expect a sale of Rs 2-3 crore everday from the 7-day event,'' MMTC Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Batra said.<br /><br />MMTC clocked a turnover of Rs 16,300 crore during the last fiscal, out of which 50 per cent was contributed by gold. The company has already posted a turnover of Rs 11,200 crore in the six months ending September 30, 2006 during the current fiscal 2006-07 and aims to post Rs 23,000 crore as turnover by the end of the financial year 2006-07, he said.<br /><br />Besides, the company also launched a portal www.mmtclimited.com for selling 'Sanchi' silver products and gold coins and medallions to its customers online.</span></div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-38838309686513921972007-06-03T03:52:00.000-07:002007-06-03T03:53:11.781-07:00900 Million For Commonwealth Games<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Chronicle Herald is reporting that we may have up to $900 Million to spend on the Commonwealth Games if we get them. The estimated costs are $785 million which means that at the end of it all it will likely go well past $1 billion. While I am a huge supporter of big events and spending lots, this seems like a whole lot of money. The Federal Government’s pledged nearly $400 million and corporate sponsors would likely pitch in another $145 million, but even with all of those contributions, Haligonians and Nova Scotians will be left with a healthy tab.<br /><br />Montreal just finished paying for their Olympics this year. Through histroy, no matter how much optimism and good budgeting happens, a large event like this breaking even is a rare occurence. The big bonus is that we’d be left with a 25 000 seat stadium. Following that would, in all likelyhood be a CFL team. Again though, although a CFL team could be a booster to the local economy, there’s no guarantee. It hasn’t exactly been panning out that well for Ottawa over the last while…<br /><br />I think it’s great that we’re considered to be a good place to host an event such as the Commonwealth Games, but the risks in this venture are growing every day. Not to mention that without a proper public transit system, the city will move at a snail’s pace for the duration of the games.<br /><br />All that being said, I am a pessimist and the bid organisers as well as the selection committee seem very optimistic about what we can acheive. We’ll just have to wait until we find out who wins the bid to host the 2014 games and take it from there. Besides, by then I may have moved on to some other city </span></div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-36201188297501328382007-06-03T03:16:00.000-07:002007-06-03T03:17:55.731-07:00FAST TRACK STRIKE GOLD FOR 2010 COMMONWEALTH GAMES<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Fast Track, the broadcast rights, sponsorship and event marketing agency, was appointed to represent the International Broadcast Rights by the Organising Committee of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.</strong><br /><br />Announcing the appointment in Delhi, Mr Suresh Kalmadi MP, Chairman of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, said, “Following a very open and highly competitive tender process we have appointed Fast Track because of their long and very successful track record of delivering revenue and distribution targets for many Commonwealth Games.”<br /><br />Fast Track’s Edward Leask said, “We are extremely honoured to have been appointed by the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and we look forward to building on the huge success that we were able to achieve for the Organising Committee of the 2006 Games in Melbourne.”<br /><br />Fast Track and its predecessor API – both owned by former Olympians Alan Pascoe MBE and Edward Leask – have had an involvement with every Commonwealth Games since 1990. The most recent being the Melbourne 2006 Games for which Fast Track delivered record levels of rights income and broadcast distribution not only within the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories but from such non-Commonwealth countries as the United States of America, the Middle East and across much of Europe.<br /></span></div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-52778675044792584702007-04-17T22:05:00.000-07:002007-04-17T22:59:41.633-07:00Hockey Players: Rating<div align="justify">Starting at the top with Joe Sakic, we do our best Casey Kasem imitation and count down the NHL's best players<br /></div><div align="justify">In compiling our top 100, plus the best performers at each position and behind the bench, we took into account many elements. While the star factor was somewhat important--after all, a player doesn't usually reach the level of an idol without it--we stressed leadership, consistency, versatility, and, of course, production.</div><div align="justify">Not surprisingly, nine of our top 10 overall players have won Stanley Cups. And No. 10, Dominik Hasek, owns an Olympic gold medal.<br /></div><div align="justify">While centers dominate the highest rankings, with six in the top 20 (including the top three), there is a fair representation from all positions. Several rising stars made it--Patrik Elias, Marian Hossa, Chris Drury, and Simon Gagne, for instance--joining longtime NHL icons such as Mario Lemieux, Scott Stevens, and Steve Yzerman.</div><div align="justify">There probably are some surprises on our super century list, too. And we're sure you'll find some omissions that will fire up your feelings and melt the ice around you.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong>Center</strong></div><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong>1. JOE SAKIC, COLORADO</strong><br />His Hart Trophy as league MVP and his leadership and dominance in the playoffs lifted him above everyone else. He's not just the best center in the league, but the best all-around player. (NO. 1 OVERALL)<br /><br /><strong>2. PETER FORSBERG, COLORADO</strong><br />He's talking the year off, but that doesn't diminish the fact that he's a great checker, skater, and stick-handler, with a nasty streak Sakic lacks. Don't be fooled if the Avs repeat this season without him--he's still a superstar. (2)<br /><br /><strong>3. MARLO LEMIEUX, PITTSBURGH</strong><br />"Le Magnifique" displayed all of his wondrous skills during his amazing comeback last season. Is he ready to move back to the top of the overall list? He's certainly the best player-owner around. (3)<br /><br /><strong>4. MIKE MODANO, DALLAS</strong><br />He keeps getting better every season. A terrific leader with a penchant for producing in the clutch, he's learned to play both ways with equal diligence. His teammates love his fire. (7)<br /><br /><strong>5. STEVE YZERMAN, DETROIT</strong><br />At 36, he's still hockey's premier leader and a force on offense and defense. Few players are as beloved as Yzerman is in Motown. He will have a plaque in the Hall of Fame. (11)<br /><br /><strong>6. MATS SUNDIN, TORONTO</strong><br />Considered a bit selfish and an underachiever for years, Sundin has emerged as the main force on the rising Leafs. Still, he's not quite as much of a leader as the other top centers. (16)<br /><br /><strong>7. SERGEI FEDOROV, DETROIT</strong><br />How many teams have a better No. 2 center? Fedorov is capable of dominating games with his enormous collection of skills, and is one of the league's most dangerous power-play performers. (22)<br /><br /><strong>8. DOUG WEIGHT, ST. LOUIS</strong><br />He didn't get enough credit in Edmonton. A speed demon of a center capable of taking over games at both ends, Weight could be the player to put the Blues over the top. (26)<br /><br /><strong>9. CHRIS DRURY, COLORADO.</strong><br />Some of the best moves in the game punctuate his style, but Drury has grit, too. A stalwart at killing penalties and on power plays, he is a highlight film waiting to happen. (31)<br /><br /><strong>10. JOE NIEUWENDYK, DALLAS</strong><br />He barely edges out the Jasons (Allison and Arnott), but he gets our vote because of his long history of big, game contributions. Not as swift as in his prime, but he's very smart and tenacious. (34)<br /><br /><strong>WINGERS</strong><br /><strong>1. JAROMIR JAGR, WASHINGTON</strong><br />He still has the strength, moves, intelligence, and experience to lead everyone in points. But does he have the heart? We'll find out as he settles into his new home. (NO. 4 OVERALL)<br /><br /><strong>2. PAUL KARIYA, ANAHEIM<br /></strong>With spectacular moves and speed, plus a great finishing touch, Kariya also has tried to improve his all-around game, which is difficult with the weak Ducks. (13)<br /><br /><strong>3. BRENDAN SHANAHAN, DETROIT</strong><br />Hockey's best power forward, he's a real force on power plays and a gutsy player who doesn't back down. (18)<br /><br /><strong>4. PATRIK ELIAS, NEW JERSEY<br /></strong>The league's newest superstar, Elias is perhaps the most versatile wing in hockey. He's very dangerous killing penalties, too. (20)<br /><br /><strong>5. PAVEL BURE, FLORIDA</strong><br />"The Russian Rocket" has led the league in goals two straight years. Want to bet it won't be three? (23)<br /><br /><strong>6. TEEMU SELANNE, SAN JOSE</strong><br />A sniper, he should become a leader on the blossoming Sharks. (Can Sharks blossom?) He's simply deadly on power plays. (24)<br /><br /><strong>7. MARIAN HOSSA, OTTAWA</strong><br />Strong and versatile, Hossa is ready to assume a leadership role in Canada's capital. He has overcome the stigma of the Bryan Berard injury. (27)<br /><br /><strong>8. OWEN NOLAN, SAN JOSE</strong><br />A top-notch leader with a mean streak and enviable ruggedness, Nolan just needs to stay in the lineup more. (28)<br /><br /><strong>9. JOHN LECLAIR, PHILADELPHIA</strong><br />Philly's most indispensible player, LeClair is a leader with great touch. He's unafraid to challenge anybody and he's one of the best around the net, but alas he's also injury prone. (29)<br /><br /><strong>10. TONY AMONTE, CHICAGO</strong><br />The best player on this very bad team by miles, Amonte deserves better than to be stuck with the Blackhawks. He's in the last year of his contract, so come March he could make the difference for a contender. (30)<br /><br /><strong>11. ALEXEI KOVALEV, PITTSBURGH</strong><br />He has come into his own in Pittsburgh and might just be the league's most improved player over the last two years. (32)<br /><br /><strong>12. PETER BONDRA, WASHINGTON<br /></strong>After getting his new contract last season, Bondra performed like a topflight winger. He's an excellent sniper, but he won't help much at the other end. (33)<br /><br /><strong>13. KEITH TKACHUK, ST. LOUIS<br /></strong>Being dealt away from Phoenix should resurrect his career. Tkachuk is another fine power forward with 45 to 50 goal capability. (37)<br /><br /><strong>14. MILAN HEJDUK, COLORADO<br /></strong>He's not as well-rounded as Colorado's centers, but Hejduk's a sharpshooter with terrific moves and a huge upside. (41)<br /><br /><strong>15. DANIEL ALFREDSSON, OTTAWA<br /></strong>A classy player who gets virtually ignored in Ottawa, Alfredsson could use a little nastiness. (44)<br /><br /><strong>16. MARTIN STRAKA, PITTSBURGH<br /></strong>Has developed wonderfully in the land of repatriated Czechs, but now he needs to make up for Jagr's absence. (45)<br /><br /><strong>17. MARKUS NASLUND, VANCOUVER<br /></strong>He quietly had a super year before getting hurl Naslund is the unequivocal leader up front for one of NHLs better young squads. (50)<br /><br /><strong>18. LUC ROBITAILLE, DETROIT<br /></strong>After all these years, he still regularly lights the lamp--especially on power plays--and makes the big plays.(51)<br /><br /><strong>19. THEO FLEURY, N.Y. RANGERS<br /></strong>Coming off substance-abuse problems that derailed his best season, the pesky, energetic Fleury is more versatile than he gets credit for. (56)<br /><br /><strong>20. ZIGGY PALFFY, LOS ANGELES<br /></strong>With Robitaille gone, Ziggy becomes the focal point at forward with the Kings. He can handle the burden, with or without the Spiders from Mars. (57)</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>DEFENSEMEN</strong></div><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong>1. NICKLAS LIDSTROM, DETROIT</strong><br />A magician on the power play and the best puck-advancer from the blue line, perennial Norris Trophy candidate Lidstrom is, finally, a winner. (NO. 6 OVERALL)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>2. ROB BLAKE, COLORADO<br /></strong>Blake proved during the playoffs that he's a strong leader with a terrific all-around game. Having Blake negates the loss of Ray Bourque. (9)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>3. CHRIS PRONGER, ST. LOUIS</strong><br />"Prongs" needs to get back to intimidating, overpowering form of his 2000 MVP year. He should. (12)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>4. AL MACINNIS, ST. LOUIS<br /></strong>Not just the hardest shooter in the league, he's a solid, versatile performer. One negative: He's injury-prone. (14)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>5. SCOTT STEVENS, NEW JERSEY</strong><br />One of hockey's warriors and top leaders; nobody delivers more crunching hits. (17)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>6. ADAM FOOTE, COLORADO<br /></strong>He makes a mistake about once a millennium. Also eases Avs' loss of Bourque. (19)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>7. BRIAN LEETCH, N.Y. RANGERS</strong><br />He's not nearly as good as he was in his prime, but Leetch is still a dangerous skater and puckmover. (21)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>8. ED JOVANOSKI, VANCOUVER<br /></strong>"Jovo Cop" hits with the best of them and has upgraded every other area of his game. (42)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>9. AARON MILLER, LOS ANGELES</strong><br />Vastly underrated, Miller showed what he could do as a No. 1 defense-man after last season's trade to the Kings. (46)</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>10. DERIAN HATCHER, DALLAS<br /></strong>When healthy, which isn't often enough, Hatcher is a terrifying hitter and defender. (48)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>11. SCOTT NIEDERMAYER, NEW JERSEY</strong><br />With good speed and a very creative streak, Niedermayer has improved his play in his own zone. He's a nice complement to his Devils teammates. (49)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>12. BRIAN RAFALSKI, NEW JERSEY<br /></strong>He's a rising star who matle his mark in the 2000 playoffs and was even better last spring. (55)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>13. GARY SUTER, SAN JOSE</strong><br />An old standby who remains steady and productive, Suter is a good teacher for the young Sharks. (63)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>14. SERGEI GONCHAR, WASHINGTON<br /></strong>Very inconsistent, but when he is on, especially with the puck, he is superb. (691)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>15. MATHIEU SCHNEIDER, LOS ANGELES</strong><br /><a name="continue"></a>Advertisement Among the best offensive defensemen in hockey, Schneider has upgraded his work in front of the net. (71)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>16. WADE REDDEN, OTTAWA<br /></strong>He doesn't get enough plaudits because of where he plays. Still Redden is young (24) and improving. (84)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>17. KENNY JONSSON, N.Y. ISLANDERS</strong><br />If he played for a better team, he'd be recognized more. Jonsson was highly sought after around the trading deadline, which says a lot.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>18. DARRYL SYDOR, DALLAS<br /></strong>He'S no longer at his peak, but Sydor is capable of making huge plays at critical times.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>19. ERIC DESJARDINS, PHILADELPHIA</strong><br />Another player on the downside, but still formidable, Desjardins is a model captain.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>20. RICHARD MATVICHUK, DALLAS</strong><br />Opponents have learned to keep an eye on him when they have the puck. He really benefits from the system in Dallas.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>GOALIES</strong></div><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong>1. PATRICK ROY, COLORADO</strong><br />Still "Mr. Clutch," he now is one championship away from a full handful of Stanley Cup rings. Anyone want to wager he won't get it? Bets are off, though it he's dealt back to Montreal, of course. (NO, 5 OVERALL)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>2. MARTIN BRODEUR, NEW JERSEY</strong><br />Losing Game 7 of the Finals dropped him behind his idol Roy, but Brodeur still is on track for a Hall of Fame statue. He's the best stick-handling goaltender in NHL history--by far. (8)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>3. DOMINIK HASEK, DETROIT</strong><br />"The Dominator" needs a Stanley Cup to solidify his reputation. His regular-season work often is better than his playoff performances. But he won an Olympic gold medal for his country and just might win another this winter. (10)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>4. CURTIS JOSEPH, TORONTO<br /></strong>"Cujo" can be hockey's most spectacular netminder, and he all mooften needs to be while playing for the defense-challenged Leafs. No top-flight goalie faces as many quality shots or stops as many. (15)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>5. ED BELFOUR, DALLAS<br /></strong>A bit on the kooky side (aren't all goalies?), Belfour still has lapses that cost him and his team. But he has a championship and keeps the Stars close on most nights. (25)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>6. BYRON DAFOE, BOSTON<br /></strong>Look at Boston's record (14-16-1) when Dafoe did not play in 2000-01. Simply put: The Bruins make the playoffs if he stays healthy. (39)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>7. TOMMY SALO, EDMONTON</strong><br />Another overworked goalie who prospers from seeing lots of rubber, Sale has disproved critics who said he loses concentration and allows soft goals. (43)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>8. OLAF KOLZIG, WASHINGTON</strong></div><div align="justify">"The Godzilla of Goalies" has not been a monster lately, perhaps because he hasn't gotten enough support or rest. At 31, however, he should just be entering his prime. (47)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>9. ARTURS IRBE, CAROLINA</strong><br />Irbe plays even more than Kolzig and Sale and, despite his small stature, stands tall every night. He's probably the most underrated netminder in the game. (53)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>10. MANNY FERNANDEZ, MINNESOTA</strong><br />Was sensational last season for a first-year team, as he became an untouchable for the Wild. When Minnesota is ready to contend, he'll be the backbone. (59)</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>COACHES</strong></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>1. SCOTTY BOWMAN, DETROIT</strong><br />Still the best. Until he retires, Bowman will be a step above. Nobody makes better adjustments during a game or mixes up lines with such skill.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>2. JOEL QUENNEVILLE, ST. LOUIS</strong><br />Sure, they haven't won it all with him, but Quenneville gets more out of the Blues than almost anyone else could. Popular and strong at adapting to whatever style is needed.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>3. LARRY ROBINSON, NEW JERSEY<br /></strong>He took a team in turmoil under Robbie Ftorek, won a Cup in 2000 and then got back to the Finals in 2001. A terrific communicator and teacher.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>4. BOB HARTLEY, COLORADO<br /></strong>Criticized unfairly for not winning with the Avs' strong roster, he made most of the right moves last spring. It's not easy to meet such high expectations, but Hartley did.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>5. ANDY MURRAY, LOS ANGELES<br /></strong>The rising star among coaches. What he did with the Kings last year, especially after the Rob Blake trade, was phenomenal.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>6. LINDY RUFF, BUFFALO</strong><br />A team with little firepower and often missing its most important player, Dominik Hasek, still was a perennial playoff qualifier. Let's see how Ruff does without "the Dominator."</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>7. KEN HITCHCOCK, DALLAS</strong><br />Are the Stars getting tired of this disciplinarian with his strict adherence to a defensive style? Perhaps. But HitchcoCk knows how to exploit an opponent's weaknesses.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>8. JACQUES MARTIN, OTTAWA<br /></strong>He gets so much out of his players and has an eye for talent. He also works well with Europeans. But the team always underachieves in the playoffs.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>9. BARRY TROTZ, NASHVILLE<br /></strong>Competitive every night despite a weak lineup, the Predators owe much to his intelligence. As some of his younger players blossom, Trotz will get his props.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>10. DARRYL SUTTER, SAN JOSE</strong><br />A young team in need of guidance and motivation has the right guy in this Sutter brother. The Sharks are formidable not just because of their talent, but the work ethic Sutter insists upon.</div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-9446927442138431872007-04-12T23:42:00.001-07:002007-04-12T23:42:11.330-07:00Peter Thangaraj : Goalkeeper Indian Football<div align="justify"><strong>Full Name: </strong>Peter Thangaraj<br /><strong>Born: </strong>1936, Andhra Pradesh<br /><strong>Major Teams: </strong>Madras Regimental Centre, Mohun Bagan AC, East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting Club<br /><strong>Playing Position: </strong>Goalkeeper<br /><strong>Achievements:</strong>Won gold at the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games; twice played for the Asian All-Star team; Best Goalkeeper of Asia in 1958; Arjuna Award in 1967<br /><br />Peter Thangaraj, custodian of the world-beating Indian team of the 1950s and 1960s, is one of the best goalkeepers India has ever produced. Although the lanky Thangaraj started his career as centre-forward for Madras Regimental Centre, he found his calling in goalkeeping and went on to excel both at the domestic and international level.<br /><br />Along with the likes of Chuni Goswami and PK Banerjee, Thangaraj was one of the mainstays of the Indian team that performed well at the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome Olympics. When India clinched the gold at the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games, Thangaraj was reassuring under the Indian goalbar.<br /><br />He was named the Best Goalkeeper of Asia in 1958 and awarded the Arjuna Award in 1967. Thangaraj twice played for the Asian All-Star team and was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper in 1967.<br /><br />He was named the Best Goalkeeper of Asia in 1958 and awarded the Arjuna Award in 1967. Thangaraj twice played for the Asian All-Star team and was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper in 1967.</div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-9670421998197997182007-04-12T23:18:00.000-07:002007-04-12T23:21:34.032-07:00Indian Football PlayersNotwithstanding India's present status as minnows of Asian football, there was a time when the Indian team did commendably well in international competitions. All that success and glory were made possible by the skills of a bunch of talented players who shone in the national jersey.<br /><br />In the 1950s and 1960s, the golden age of Indian football, India regularly participated in the Olympics and twice clinched the Asian Games gold. It was an era when the likes of P. K. Banerjee, Chuni Goswami, Jarnail Singh and Sailen Manna represented the national team.<br /><br />Despite playing barefoot, often in inhospitable overseas locations, the Indian stalwarts were able to hold their own against better-equipped adversaries. The deficiency in football-gear was compensated by sheer hard work and determination.<br /><br />Here is a list of famous Indian football players:<br /><ul><li><span><span><span><span>Chuni Gos<span></span><span></span><span></span>wami </span></span></span></span></li><li><span><span><span>P. K. Banerjee </span></span></span></li><li>Sailen Manna </li><li>Peter Thangaraj </li><li>Jarnail Singh </li><li>I. M. Vijayan </li><li>Baichung Bhutia </li></ul>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-34980161940967636922007-03-11T23:42:00.000-07:002007-04-12T23:44:34.593-07:00Jarnail Singh : Stopper Back Indian Football<div align="justify"><strong>Full Name: </strong>Jarnail Singh Dhillon<br /><strong>Born: </strong>1936, Panam, Hoshiarpur, Punjab<br /><strong>Major Teams:</strong> Khalsa Sporting Club, Mohun Bagan AC<br /><strong>Playing Position: </strong>Stopper back<br /><strong>Achievements:</strong>Won gold in the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games<br /><br />The legendary Jarnail Singh is regarded as one of the most outstanding defenders to have donned the India colours. The natural athlete that he was, Jarnail took the art of defence to new heights making himself an epitome of strength and stamina.<br /><br />Like many of his illustrious compatriots, Jarnail played a pivotal role in shaping India's football fortunes during the golden era of Indian football. His heroics in the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games are part of Indian football folklore now. Braving a nasty head-injury that required six stitches, Jarnail, in his new avatar as a forward, scored crucial goals in the semi-final and final to fetch India its maiden Asiad football gold.<br /><br />Two years later, when India became the runner-up in the 1964 Asia Cup at Tel Aviv, Jarnail was at his best marshalling the defence with authority and guile. After another commendable show at the Merdeka tournament in Malaysia in the same year, Jarnail took over the reins of the team from Chuni Goswami and continued for more than two seasons with a fair bit of success.<br /><br />At the domestic circuit, Jarnail was associated with the Mohun Bagan Club for 10 glorious years when the green-and-maroon team swept all the major titles at the national level. After quitting from Mohun Bagan in 1969, Jarnail went to play for Punjab and inspired the team to win the first Santosh Trophy in 1970 as a coach-cum-player.</div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-10490191228333065082007-03-04T23:27:00.000-08:002007-04-12T23:30:12.250-07:00P. K. Banerjee : Stricker Indian Football<strong>Full Name:</strong> Pradip Kumar Banerjee<br /><strong>Born:</strong> October 15, 1936, Jalpaiguri, Bengal<br /><strong>Major Teams:</strong> Aryan Club, Eastern Railway SC, India<br /><strong>Playing Position:</strong> Striker<br /><strong>Achievements: </strong>Member of the Indian team that finished fourth in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics; won gold medal in 1962 Asian Games; first-ever footballer to receive the Arjuna Award (1961)<br /><br />P. K. Banerjee was one of the stalwarts of the formidable Indian football squad that made a name for itself in the international stage. A dashing forward, Banerjee made it a habit of scoring crucial goals for his team.<br /><br />Though Banerjee started his professional career in Jamshedpur, it was in the highly competitive Calcutta league that he excelled representing the Eastern Railways SC.<br /><br />Banerjee was a member of the Indian team that finished fourth in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and had captained the national team at the 1960 Rome Olympics. In Rome, though India failed to move from the group stage, they played inspirational soccer to hold the mighty France 1-1 through a goal from the captain himself.<br /><br />Banerjee dazzled in the Asian arena as well, representing India in three Asiads from 1958 to 1966. In the 1962 edition, India clinched the gold medal with Banerjee scoring against all the teams except the very first match against South Korea.<br /><br />Post-retirement, Banerjee coached the Calcutta giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and was associated with the national team for a long time. In 1961, P. K. Banerjee became the first-ever footballer to receive the Arjuna Award.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-42118739534442283572007-03-02T10:22:00.000-08:002007-04-12T23:25:24.167-07:00Chuni Goswami - Striker Indian Football<strong>Full Name:</strong> Subimal Chuni Goswami<br /><strong>Born:</strong> January 15, 1938, Kishoregunj, Bengal<br /><strong>Major Teams:</strong> Mohun Bagan AC, India<br /><strong>Playing Position: </strong>Striker<br /><strong>Achievements: </strong>Led the Indian team to gold at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta; Arjuna Award in 1963; Padma Shri in 1983<br />During the golden era of Indian football, Chuni Goswami was one of the mainstays of the national team. Goswami started his professional career with the Mohun Bagan Club in 1954 having graduated through the junior outfit of the club.<br /><br />In the 1950s and 60s, when the Indian football team was far from being the pushovers they are today, India did well in the international stage riding on the skills of Goswami and a host of capable players.<br /><br />The highpoint of Chuni Goswami's career was the football gold at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta. In the final, the Goswami-led team defeated South Korea 2-1, with goals coming from P.K. Banerjee and Jarnail Singh.<br /><br />Goswami captained the Mohun Bagan team from 1960 to 1964. During his stint, the club did exceedingly well in various national competitions including the prestigious Durand Cup.<br /><br />In honor of his services to the game, Chuni Goswami was bestowed with the Arjuna Award in 1963 and the Padmashri in 1983.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-54835061433337222242007-02-27T00:36:00.000-08:002007-04-12T23:39:39.944-07:00Sailendra Nath Manna : Defender Indian Football<div align="justify"><strong>Full Name: </strong>Sailendra Nath Manna<br /><strong>Born: </strong>September 1, 1924, Batra, Howrah District, Bengal<br /><strong>Major Teams:</strong> Howrah Union, Mohun Bagan AC, IndiaPlaying<br /><strong>Position: </strong>Defender<br /><strong>Achievements:</strong>Led India to the inaugural Asian Games gold in 1951; led India to four successive titles in the South East Asian quadrangular meet<br /><br />Sailen Manna, former India captain and defender par excellence, brought laurels to the nation with his virtuosity on the soccer turf. Manna started his football career with the second division Howrah Union in the Calcutta League.<br /><br />He was a member of the first-ever Indian football team on an overseas tour that took part in the 1948 London Olympics. Despite playing barefoot India lost to France by a narrow margin of 1-2 with Manna squandering a crucial penalty.<br /><br />Post-Olympics, Manna led India to the inaugural Asian Games gold in 1951 when they beat Iran 1-0 in the final. Under Manna's leadership, India won four successive titles in the South East Asian quadrangular meet (featuring India, Pakistan, Burma and Sri Lanka) between 1952 and 1955.<br /><br />At the club level, Manna's name was synonymous with the Mohun Bagan AC. After joining the club in 1942, he remained with the green-and-maroon brigade for the rest of his career. He became captain of the Mohun Bagan team in 1951 and went on to win the Durand Cup five times, including three times consecutively. His team also won the IFA Shield six times, including four times continuously in a row.</div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844211343329257593.post-7075305097201820742007-02-23T22:55:00.000-08:002007-02-24T09:31:34.656-08:00Common Wealth Game 2010<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Delhi won the right to host the 2010 Games by defeating the Canadian city of Hamilton by 46 votes to 22 at the CGF General Assembly held in Montego Bay in November 2003.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">HISTORY OF THE COMMON WEALTH GAMES<br /><br />BIRTH OF THE COMMON WEALTH GAMES:</span><br /></strong>The Commonwealth Games, the Games was first proposed by Englishman, Astley Cooper in 1891 as a festival ". Cooper was responsible for the concept of a sporting contest amongst the countries of the British Commonwealth. He wrote an article in 1891 for the magazine ‘Greater Britain’, suggesting a festival combining sporting, military and literary events that would draw closer the ties and increase the goodwill and understanding of the Empire.<br /><br />The holding of the first recorded Games between Empire athletes coincided with the celebrations in connection with the Coronation of His Majesty King George the Fifth in 1911, and was known as the 'Festival of Empire'.<br /><br />The program consisted of track and field athletics, boxing, wrestling and swimming events, and a trophy in the form of a silver cup, 2ft 6in high and weighing 340oz, the gift of Lord Lonsdale, was presented to the winning country, which was Canada.<br /><br />No further development took place until 1928, when the Olympic Games were in progress in Amsterdam. The splendid feelings of friendliness between the Empire athletes at that Olympiad re-vitalised the idea for the revival of Empire meetings.<br />The initiative of a Canadian, M M Robinson, led to the first official Commonwealth Games in 1930.<br /><br />Support was forthcoming from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with the result that strong teams were sent to Canada. Teams also came from Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, British Guiana, Newfoundland and South Africa. The events at this meeting comprised track and field athletics, swimming, rowing, boxing and wrestling, and lawn bowls. While no points were allotted, it was fitting that Great Britain filled the premier position.<br /><br />The success of the first Games at Hamilton in 1930 provided enough incentive to make them regular.When teams throughout the Empire were gathered together at the tenth Olympiad at Los Angeles in 1932, the formation of the British Empire Games Federation was further discussed and the Federation was subsequently constituted. In 1952 the Federation was retitled "British Empire and Commonwealth Games Federation". In Jamaica 1966 it became the "British Commonwealth Games Federation and in 1974 at Christchurch the title was again changed to the "Commonwealth Games Federation".<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>BRIEF HISTORY OF COMMON WEALTH GAME</strong><br /><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">1930 Commonwealth Games<br />16-23 August, Hamilton, Canada</span><br /></strong><br />The first Commonwealth Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada. “Bobby” MM Robinson, an influential figure in Canadian athletics finally put into action a sports plan that had been talked and discussed amongst Commonwealth nations for almost three decades.<br />Eleven countries with 400 athletes in total participated in the first Commonwealth Games. A sum of $30,000 was provided by the City of Hamilton to these nations to help cover travelling costs. Since then, the Games have been conducted every four years except for 1942 and 1946, due to World War II.<br />From 1930 to 1950 the Games were known as the British Empire Games, then the British Empire and Commonwealth Games until 1962. From 1966 to 1974 they took on the title of British Commonwealth Games and from 1978 onwards they have been known as simply the Commonwealth Games.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">1934 British Empire Games<br />4-11 August, London, England</span></strong><br /><br />The Games, which were awarded to Johannesburg, South Africa finally came to London to prevent a political crisis concerning the way South Africa might greet and treat black and Asian Commonwealth athletes.<br />This was the Games, where India made their debut.<br />Sixteen nations sent a total of about 500 competitors to the London Games. In addition to the 11 nations who had competed at the 1930 Hamilton Games, the participants making their debuts at the London Games were Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Rhodesia and Trinidad.<br />Six sports were featured in the Games – athletics, boxing, cycling, lawn bowls, swimming and diving, and wrestling.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">1938 British Empire Games<br />5-12 February, Sydney, Australia</span></strong><br /><br />The southern hemisphere hosted the Games for the first time. The famous Sydney Cricket Ground hosted the opening ceremony in front of 40,000 spectators who wanted Australia and New Zealand to out do England and a rivalry was born in Commonwealth Games.<br />Fifteen nations participated down under at the Sydney Games involving a total of 466 athletes and 43 officials. New participants included Fiji and Ceylon.<br />Seven sports were featured in the Sydney Games – track and field, boxing, cycling, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming and diving, and wrestling.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>1950 British Empire Games<br />4-11 February, Auckland, New Zealand</strong><br /></span><br />The fourth edition of the Games were held at the nation’s largest city, Auckland. New Zealand had never been the focus of so much sporting attention and the hosts responded in a most magnificent and hospitable manner.<br />The opening ceremony at Eden Park was attended by 40,000 spectators, whilst nearly 250,000 people attended the Auckland Games as event spectators – a phenomenal audience given the remoteness of New Zealand in 1950.<br />Twelve countries sent a total of 495 male and 95 female competitors to Auckland, whilst debutant nations included Malaysia and Nigeria.<br />Nine sports featured at the Auckland Games – track and field, boxing, cycling, fencing, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming and diving, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">1954 British Empire & Commonwealth Games<br />30 July – 7 August, Vancouver, Canada</span></strong><br /><br />The V Games were now renamed to include Commonwealth in the title for the first time. The ‘Miracle Mile’, as it became dubbed, saw both the gold medallist, Roger Bannister of England, and silver medallist, John Landy of Australia, run sub-four minute races in an event that was televised live across the globe for the first time.<br />Some 24 nations sent a total of 662 athletes and 127 officials to the Vancouver Games. Nations winning medals at the Games included England, Australia, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, Trinidad, Northern Ireland, North and South Rhodesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Wales, Jamaica, Hong Kong, Uganda, Barbados and British Guiana.<br />A total of nine disciplines figured in the Games.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">1958 British Empire & Commonwealth Games<br />18-26 July, Cardiff, Wales</span><br /></strong><br />The VI Games marked the biggest sporting event ever held in Wales to date. Cardiff had to wait 12 years longer than originally scheduled to become host of the Games, as the 1946 event was cancelled because of World War II.<br />England’s famed middle distance runners, Roger Bannister and Chris Chattaway, were handed the honour of taking the Queen’s Baton from Buckingham Palace on the first stage of its journey to Wales.<br />The Cardiff Games were to be South Africa’s last until their post-apartheid return to the Games in 1994. A number of objections against South Africa took place in Cardiff because their team had been selected on the basis of race and colour rather than ability. South Africa subsequently withdrew from the Commonwealth in 1961 for 30 years.<br />Thirty-five nations sent a total of 1,130 athletes and 228 officials to the Cardiff Games and 23 countries and dependencies won medals, including, for the first time, Singapore, Ghana, Kenya and the Isle of Man.<br />Nine sports were featured in the Cardiff Games – athletics, boxing, cycling, fencing, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming and diving, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>1962 British Empire & Commonwealth Games<br />21 November – 1 December, Perth, Australia</strong><br /></span><br />The VII Games are remembered for its “heat, dust and glory”. The day before the Perth Games opened the temperature was an expected 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but the heat was measured at 105 degrees at the opening ceremony in the new Perry Lakes Stadium the following day and such extremes persisted throughout the Games’ duration. In the previous 65 years, only 10 100 degree plus days had been recorded in Perth. Australian soldiers were pressed into action, ferrying water to competing athletes.<br />Thirty-five countries sent a total of 1,041 athletes and officials to Perth. Jersey was amongst the medal winners for the first time, whilst British Honduras, Dominica, Papua New Guinea and St Lucia all made their inaugural Games appearances.<br />Nine sports were featured at the Perth Games – athletics, boxing, cycling, fencing, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming and diving, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>1966 British Commonwealth Games<br />4-13 August 1966, Kingston, Jamaica</strong><br /></span><br />With the British Empire formally ended, the Kingston Games became the VIII British Commonwealth Games. There was a worry amongst the larger nations that Jamaica’s infrastructure would not enable a successful Games delivery – but this proved to be largely unfounded. Controversially, also, the event programme was altered for the first time since 1950 with lawn bowls and rowing dropped and replaced with badminton and shooting instead.<br />Thirty-four nations competed in the Kingston Games sending a total of 1,316 athletes and officials<br />The nine sports featured in the Kingston Games were athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, fencing, shooting, swimming and diving, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">1970 British Commonwealth Games<br />16-25 July, Edinburgh, Scotland</span><br /></strong><br />The IX Games at Edinburgh will be remembered for a number of firsts. It was the first time that metric distances and electronic photo-finish technology were employed at the Games and also the first time that HM Queen Elizabeth II attended in her capacity as Head of the Commonwealth. Scots will further remember the Games for the two Scottish brothers who won gold, one on the first day and one on the last.<br />Forty-two nations sent a total of nearly 1,750 athletes and officials to the first Edinburgh Games. New medal winning nations included Tanzania, Malawi and St Vincent.<br />Ten sports were featured in the Games – athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, fencing, lawn bowls, shooting, swimming and diving, weightlifting and wrestling<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">1974 British Commonwealth Games<br />24 January – 2 February, Christchurch, New Zealand </span><br /></strong><br />Following the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics, the X Games at Christchurch was the first multi-sport event to place the safety of participants and spectators as its uppermost requirement. Security guards surrounded the athlete’s village and there was an exceptionally high-profile police presence. Even so, Christchurch enchanted the watching world as a city of beautiful churches and gardens.<br />On the running track, Jamaica’s Don Quarrie successfully defended both his 1970 100m and 200m gold medals. Quarrie was to go on to win the 100m in 1978 as well.<br />Only 22 countries succeeded in winning medals from the total haul of 374 medals on offer, but first time winners included Western Samoa, Lesotho, Swaziland, St Vincent and the Grenadines.<br />Nine sports were featured in the Christchurch Games – athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, lawn bowls, shooting, swimming and diving, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">1978 Commonwealth Games<br />3-12 August, Edmonton, Canada<br /></span></strong><br />The XI Games was the first to bear the current day name of the Commonwealth Games. Whilst Edmonton had won the right to host the Games with an audacious vision presented six years earlier to the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly, the organisers had to walk a careful tightrope in the immediate run up to the Edmonton Games to ensure that there was no repeat of the African nations boycott of the 1976 Montreal Olympics caused by a New Zealand rugby tour of South Africa.<br />Forty-six countries sent a total of 1,405 athletes and 504 officials to the Edmonton Games. As host nation, Canada also topped the medal table for the first time.<br />Ten sports were featured at the Edmonton Games – athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, lawn bowls, shooting, swimming and diving, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">1982 Commonwealth Games<br />30 September – 9 October, Brisbane, Australia</span></strong><br /><br />The Brisbane Games are still hailed as one of the very best. Everything went so well from the moment Matilda, a 13-metre mechanical kangaroo, helped out with the opening ceremonies. Once again, a boycott was avoided and the sun shone throughout the duration of the XII Games.<br />Forty-six nations participated in the Brisbane Games with a new record total of 1,583 athletes and 571 officials. As hosts, Australia headed the medal table leading the way ahead of England, Canada, Scotland and New Zealand respectively.<br />The men’s 200m gold was shared by England’s Mike McFarlane and Scotland’s Allan Wells, with judges unable to separate the pair at the winning post.<br />Nine sports featured at the Brisbane Games – athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, lawn bowls, shooting, swimming and diving, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>1986 Commonwealth Games<br />24 July – 2 August 1986, Edinburgh, Scotland</strong><br /></span><br />After nearly two decades successfully averting political stay-aways and protests because of apartheid and sanction-busting sports tours to South Africa, the XIII Games, the second to be staged at Edinburgh, was to become known as “the Boycott Games”. Sadly, despite there being so many fond memories of the Scottish hospitality offered in 1970, 32 Commonwealth nations decided that they could not attend, because of their opposition to apartheid in sports.<br />Twenty-six nations did attend the second Edinburgh Games and sent a total of 1,662 athletes and 461 officials.<br />Ten sports were featured at the second Edinburgh Games – athletics, aquatics, badminton, boxing, cycling, lawn bowls, rowing, shooting, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>1990 Commonwealth Games<br />24 January – 3 February, Auckland, New Zealand</strong><br /></span><br />The XIV Commonwealth Games, the third to be hosted by New Zealand and Auckland’s second, witnessed a fantastic opening ceremony comprising a magnificent and moving portrayal of the forces that led to the formation of New Zealand society and culture.<br />Thankfully, the perennially threatened boycott gave way to a new positive spirit of co-operation far more in keeping with the image of “The Friendly Games” and a new record of 54 nations participated in the second Auckland Games.<br />Twenty-nine of the competing nations succeeded in winning medals from a total of 639 medals available. Australia headed the medals table with New Zealand claiming fourth place behind England and Canada.<br />Ten sports featured in the second Auckland Games – athletics, aquatics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, judo, lawn bowls, shooting and weightlifting.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">1994 Commonwealth Games<br />18-28 August, Victoria, Canada</span></strong><br /><br />Canada hosted the Games for the fifth time, as the 15th edition came to Victoria in 1994. The end of apartheid in the early part of the decade also heralded the return of South Africa to the Commonwealth Games and ensured that the era of threatened boycotts was over. Both the opening and closing ceremonies were held at Victoria’s Centennial Stadium, which had undergone a superb refit in honour of the Games.<br />Sixty-three nations sent a total of nearly 2,450 athletes and 892 officials as the Commonwealth Games burgeoned at Victoria. Once again, Australia headed the medals table whilst the hosts, Canada, pushed England into third place. Nigeria marked its arrival as a Commonwealth sporting force by picking up more gold medals than both New Zealand and India.<br />Ten sports were featured at the Victoria Games – athletics, aquatics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, lawn bowls, shooting, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">1998 Commonwealth Games<br />11-21 September, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</span></strong><br /><br />For the first time in its 68-year history, the Commonwealth Games were held in Asia. The XVI Games, held at Kuala Lumpur in the Malaysian state of Selangor were also the first Games to feature team sports – an overwhelming success that added large numbers to both participators and TV audience numbers.<br />A new record of 70 countries sent a total of 5,250 athletes and officials to the Kuala Lumpur Games. The top five countries in the medal standing were Australia, England, Canada, Malaysia and South Africa. Nauru also achieved an impressive haul of three gold medals.<br />Fifteen sports were featured in the Kuala Lumpur Games – aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, cricket, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, netball, lawn bowls, rugby 7s, shooting, tenpin bowling, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">2002 Commonwealth Games<br />25 July-Aug 4, Manchester, England<br /></span></strong><br />The Games returned to England for only the second time in their history. The previous English hosts were London in 1934, even though Great Britain – England, Scotland and Wales – have between them hosted six of the 17 Games.<br />Australia (82 gold), England (54 gold) and Canada (31 gold) occupied the top three spots while India for the first time made it to the top five with 30 gold, as New Zealand with 11 gold were fifth.<br />A total of 17 disciplines, the highest ever were held at Manchester and a total of 72 countries came for the games. The disciplines held were aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, judo, lawn bowls, netball, rugby 7s, shooting, squash, table tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">2006 Commonwealth Games<br />15 March-26March, Melbourne, Australia</span></strong><br /><br />The XVIII Commonwealth Games, held at Melbourne in Australia. Australia (84 gold), England (36 gold) and Canada (26 gold) occupied the top three spots while India won 22 gold and occupied fourth position, as South Africa with 12 gold were fifth.<br />A total of 15 disciplines, and a total of 71 countries came for the games. The disciplines held were aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby 7s, shooting, squash, table tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#000066;"><a href="http://www.commonwealthgames2010.com">http://www.commonwealthgames2010.com</a></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11369086479501497417noreply@blogger.com0