Strong Italian team holds Stubbs

Italy's Flavia Pennetta begged Australia's Rennae Stubbs not to retire from tennis as the pair stimulated around Melbourne Park for the past two weeks of the Australian Open, But Stubbs had the great comeback for Italy's world No 25 singles player and world No 2 in doubles."I said to Flavia, 'You can continue my career by losing to us'," Stubbs said yesterday, as the Australian and Italian women headed to Hobart for the first round of the Fed Cup's elite World Group. Stubbs was given exciting farewells on centre court in both Sydney and Melbourne by the WTA. She turns 40 in March and is finally stepping away from the professional tour after 22 years.

But when she took the microphone on both Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver Arenas she told the respective crowds she would keep playing Fed Cup as long as Australia kept winning. Australia is finally back in the World Group after seven years in the zonal wilderness."If we win I'd like to keep playing until the next tie," Stubbs said yesterday. "I just want to be part of it. It took us that long to get back to the World Group and I've been part of that journey. So if we were to win, it would give me some kind of inspiration to keep going."

Fed Cup supremacy is also in the mind of newly crowned Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters. Belgium is also back in the World Group and Clijsters was on a plane home less than 24 hours after building her winning speech. Belgium has drawn the United States in its first round tie to be played in Antwerp. It will be the sixth time Australia and Italy have met in a tie. Australia leads 5-0 in head-to-head encounters. But the last victory was in 1988 when Wendy Turnbull was still part of the squad.

Italy has progress noticeably since then and contested four of the last five Fed Cup finals and was crowned champion in 2006, 2009 and 2010.All of the Italian team is ranked in the top 50 in singles. Australia only has two of its four there with Sam Stosur, No 5, and Jarmila Groth on debut at No 34.Stubbs will line up with Stosur in doubles. The pair has eight grand slam doubles titles between them. World No 67 and Common wealth Games gold medallist, Anastasia Rodioniova, completes the team.

Cisco broadcasts HD videos of the CWG

The recently held Delhi Common wealth Games 2010 was a great success for India winning more gold medals and organising the event with grandeur. The opening and finishing ceremonies will be in memory for a long time. Millions of television viewers prized every moment of the games thanks to technology in the background by Cisco to broadcast high definition (HD) videos and images of the games. The CWG 2010 was the first global project where huge volume of HD uncompressed video (~400Gbps) was broadcast to help viewers witness continuous high quality video of the games, said Sandeep Raina, Senior VP, India & SAARC, Cisco.

Cisco deployed its largest ‘Internet Protocol (IP) Next Generation Network’ Medianet solution – this combines video technologies in home, business, and service provider networks -- for any sporting event at the CWG 2010, he said. Also, for the first time in the history of broadcasting, a disaster revival site was deployed for the main studio (IBC) for the HD uncompressed video contribution service using IP multicast technology. This solution enabled the Government of India and CWG Organising Committee to deliver games applications, communication services and standards of teamwork services to athletes, officials and guests from all over the world, he said.

The services were delivered on the communications network from MTNL and the completion was undertaken by HCL Info systems. The deployment included ‘quad-play architecture’ that bundles mobile, fixed-line, Internet and TV services into one package. The Cisco unified communication and teamwork solution was provided through 3500 IP phones including high-end video phones, he said.Sandeep says Cisco’s IP NGN infrastructure had two separate networks Managed Data Network (MDN) and Broadcast Network (BN). Both the networks were built on IP MPLS technology to deliver multiple services concurrently.

Lewis-Francis sets sights on European Championship medal

After years of censure Mark Lewis-Francis proved his doubters wrong in 2010, winning individual silver at the European Championships and then the Common wealth Games, where he also took relay gold. Now, while the other British athletes who competed in the Delhi Games take a break, Lewis-Francis is approaching on through the indoor season without a pause, his sights set on a medal at the European Indoor Championships in March."I'm doing so well I don't want to stop," says the 28-year-old ahead of opposing at the first major event on the indoor calendar, the Glasgow grand prix tomorrow. "I'm still on cloud nine after the 2010 season. Nobody expected that.

I didn't even expect to have such success and I don't want it to end. I was out for such a long time, so to be back is something I don't want to miss again. I haven't got that long left, so I just want to embrace every minute of it while I can."Lewis-Francis is confident he can beat the European outdoor sprint champion,over 60m indoors. "I think I had him for 60m [in Barcelona], I think I definitely did," says Lewis-Francis, who finished 0.7sec behind the Frenchman. "I don't think he was thrashing me for 60m in the 100m, he's just got a really strong last bit to his race. It could be interesting. I don't want to hype it up but it could be a different race this time."

The British team will have to qualify for their places at the trials next month but another name Lewis-Francis may have to look out for is the 33-year-old Dwain Chambers, the European indoor record holder."We'll see what happens," says Lewis-Francis. "If I can go to the European champs and get a medal and then build up my self-confidence for the world champs this summer because we all know the world champs is going to be solid, it's not going to be easy that could just prepare me for it."Despite having won medals at the Olympic Games memorably taking 4x100m relay gold at Athens in 2004 and the world championships, Lewis-Francis is yet to win an individual medal on the global senior stage, an achievement he says he is not happy to retire without.

Asian Games, CWG medal winners to be rewarded today

Uttar Pradesh players who won medals at the Asian Games held at Guangzhou, China and the Common wealth Games 2010 will be felicitated with cash rewards on Friday. They will be given the ‘Manyawar Shri Kanshiram Ji Antarrashtriya Khel Puruskar 2010’ by Chief Minister Mayawati at 12.00 noon on Friday. The award function will be organised at 5, Kalidas Marg, Lucknow. The medal winners happening arriving in the state capital from Thursday morning. Director Sports (UP) Dr Hari Om informed, “Apart from archer Ritul Chatterjee, all the players had reported for the event by Thursday evening. Ritul is presence the national camp, so his award will be collected by his father.

Arrangements for the stay of the players have been made at Hotel Piccadilly.The cost of journey to Lucknow and back to their destinations will be reimbursed. Besides, each player has been provided a separate vehicle at Lucknow. After the felicitation, during which a sum of around Rs 1.97 crore will be spread among the players, lunch will be held at the same venue,” he further added. The gold, silver and bronze medal winners of individual events will be given Rs 15 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 8 lakh, respectively, while the gold, silver and bronze medal winners of team events will be given Rs 10 lakh, Rs 8 lakh and Rs 6 lakh, respectively.

A senior sports official informed that two rooms are being given to a player who has come with his family if the total number of members are more than four to ensure a comfortable stay to the players. “Besides a car for each player, a bus has also been arranged if the players want to go site-seeing in the city. A ‘rehearsal’ for the event will be organised on Thursday evening for the felicitation function the next day. The players will also attend a dinner which will be hosted by Chief Secretary (UP),” he said. Talking to The Indian Express, gymnast Ashish Kumar said that he was happy with the facilities provided to the players. He, however, said that it would have been very hopeful if he would have been awarded for the bronze medal also which he had won during the Common wealth Games.

Settle dues to Aus firms in 10 days

Taking serious note of the payment dispute between some Australian firms and organisers of the Delhi Common wealth Games, the Sports Ministry has planned the last to settle the issue within ten days.Ajay Maken,the new sports minister, instructed the sports secretary to get in touch with the government officials in the Common wealth Organising Committee and clear all lawful payments after proper verification."I have ordered the sports secretary to settle the issue in the next ten days and clear all verified and legitimate payments pending to Australia and other participating countries.

Four of Australia's biggest event management firms have threatened to slap a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against the Commonwealth Games organisers for the recovery of their dues. Ric Birch, the man behind the successful opening and closing ceremonies of the mega-event, in Delhi from October 3 to 14 last year, has commissioned Slater and Gordon, a Melbourne-based law firm, a to draw up the multi-million dollar complaint that would involve at least four of Australia's biggest event firms - including his firm, Spectak Productions, and fireworks group Howard & Sons against the Delhi Games' organisers.

He refused to comment when asked whether Suresh Kalmadi would be happy to see the back of M S Gill from the sports ministry."I have just taken over and I do not wish to comment on such matters," he said, with a smile. He praised his precursor, Gill, and said he would carry on to push for transparency. As minister of sports, he said, he would like to see younger faces, who have played at the international level, being given more say in the running the sports bodies."Those who have played the games are more passionate and understand the difficulties of the athletes, which the other officials would not be able to do so," he said.

Kalmadi claims dismissal as Delhi 2010 chief is illegal

Suresh Kalmadi has claimed that the decision to sack him as chairman of the Organising Committee of last year's Common wealth Games is "illegal and arbitrary".Kalmadi was detached from his position, beside with secretary general Lalit Bhanot, earlier this week by India's new Sports Minister Ajay Maken to ensure a fair investigation into corruption allegations nearby the event, held last October."I am shocked to receive an order...illegally and randomly removing me from the position of chairman of the executive board and the Organising Committee (OC) of the Common wealth Games," Kalmadi wrote in a letter to Maken."I have extended all possible cooperation to all the investigating agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"I have even written to the CBI stating I am available to assist them at any given point of time. "In light of the above, the concerns expressed by the CBI are unfounded and the Order dated 24th January 2011 is uncalled for."Without prejudice to my rights and contention and in furtherance of my letter dated 25th January 2011 wherein it has been affirmed that the order dated 24th January 2011 is illegal and without any authority, I am handing the charge under protest."Kalmadi claimed that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which he has headed since 1996, had allotted him as chairman of the Organising Committee in 2004 and the Sports Ministry did not have the authority to dismiss him.

"The IOA is an independent autonomous body and as per the Olympic Charter must remain free from Government interference," Kalmadi wrote."We worked hard to bring the Commonwealth Games to India for the first time ever."The OC, under my Chairmanship, has worked tirelessly for over five years to deliver successful Games that India can be proud of."I am anguished that instead of being commended for my hard work at putting up such a impressive show, the OC is being unfairly singled out and that I have been served with a decision of this nature."I would like to say that if I were asked by the Sports Ministry, I would have consulted my colleagues and resigned voluntarily."

Second medal for Velthooven

Sprinter Simon Van Velthooven grabbed a surprise second medal on the last night of the UCI World Cup in Beijing yesterday. Van Velthooven, the Common wealth Games bronze medallist in his specialist keirin, chosen up a bronze in the 1000m time trial at the Beijing Velodrome.The burly Manawatu rider had earlier made it through to the eighth round of the men's sprints before turning his attention to the gut-busting kilo, more for experience than expectation. More used to the hurly burly of the keirin than the exact aerodynamics of the kilo, Van Velthooven nonetheless produced the fastest final lap of all 32 riders to climb to third place overall in 1:03.103.

Frenchman Francois Pervis took out the gold in 1:01.197, with Hugo Haak (NED) second and Van Velthooven third after scorching home in 15.373 seconds for the final 250m.It gave the BikeNZ team a third medal at the World Cup after Van Velthooven won the men's keirin and New Zealand took out the team pursuit. Head coach Tim Carswell said it was mission accomplished."We got plenty out of this World Cup with Simon coming here in excellent form and getting the rewards he deserved," Carswell said.In other events, Canterbury rider Natasha Hansen missed out in repechage for the women's keirin, Joanne Kiesanowski was 11th in the omnium competition and Tom Scully was a close fourth in the points race.

"The women, without their two strongest riders, showed there's depth in the women's pursuit programme with Jaime Nielsen really impressive," said Carswell."And it was great to have Tom Scully back to this opposition and he got stronger throughout the weekend and was unlucky not to get a medal. He said there would be little respite as the squad will be in full preparation for a major assault on the final World Cup in Manchester next month, and then a further month on to the world championships."There's a growing depth in the programme which will make selection for Manchester challenging," said Carswell.

Saina geared up for Korean challenge

Saina Nehwal does not consider in living in the past. The world No.4, who had a remarkable season in 2010 winning three Super Series titles and the Common wealth Games gold, said that the fresh term offers new challenges and the past will be of no help in a competitive sport like badminton. The ace shuttler, who will begin the season with the newly upgraded $1.2 million Korea Open Super Series Premier, arrived in Seoul on Sunday and will start her campaign against Tzu Ying Tai of Chinese Taipei in the first round on Wednesday. Tzu, who is ranked 21 in the world, had lost to Saina in the final of the Singapore Open Super Series last June.

Next up for Saina would be Sayaka Sato of Japan. Incidentally, Sayaka too had lost to Saina in the final of the Indonesia Super Series, a week after Saina beat Tzu in the Singapore Super Series final. The Indian is ready to meet the rivals she beat a few months ago. "They are very tough opponents. Moreover, I am coming back from an injury. I don't know how my body will respond to these challenges. Though I had a huge season last year, it's history now. I have to start afresh again and all the players will be eager to start the season on a high note. So it's not going to be easy,'' Saina said.

If she clears the initial rounds Saina will run into Asian Games champion Shixian Wang in the quarters. Shixian, who beat Saina at the World Championships and lost to her at the Hong Kong Super Series will be keen to avenge her defeat. The 20-year-old Chinese girl, claimed the No.1 rank last week but slipped to second this week."I am not thinking too much about any player now. I know in big tournaments like this I have to give my best on all five days of the tournament,'' Saina said.Parupalli Kashyap, the only Indian in men's singles will face Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand in the first round.

The mixed doubles pair of Valiyaveetil Diju and Jwala Gutta may find it tough against former world champion Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork of England in the first round. It would be no different for Jwala and Ashwini Ponnapa in the women's doubles as they are drawn against Tsk Ka Chan and Hol Wah Chau of Hong Kong. The main event begins on Wednesday after the qualifiers on Tuesday. Korea Open is the first of a new series started by the Badminton World Federation. Five of the 12 Super Series events have been upgraded to Super Series Premier events from this year opening with the Korea Open.

Rajesh shines brightest to get title

Over six thousand, five hundred people rode down the thin uneven lanes of Karnataka Trade Promotion Organisation (KTPO) on countless cycles but it was Tamil Nadu's C Rajesh who shone the brightest here at the BSA Hercules India Cyclothon.On a mild Sunday morning, the National Elite race saw 95 of India’s best cyclists kick on amidst ear-splitting noise, plethora of colours and of course the cops. At the end of six laps spanning 50 kms, there was only one cyclist who rode home with a handsome purse of Rs 1.25 lakh, a bright yellow jersey and a contended smile.

In the race which was run in the points format (winner of every lap gets five points, three for the second placed rider and two for the cyclist journey the line in third), Rajesh clinched 13 points overall while defending champion Sabu Ganigar of Karnataka came in second (Rs 75,000), one point behind the leader.Rajesh kept himself in the hunt through five laps of the race maintaining close distance with the leaders but things took a different turn in the final lap. The Trichy-born 21-year-old sat comfortably behind eventual overall third-place winner Pankaj Kumar (10) of Haryana, who clinched Rs 50,000, for a brief while, but with Sabu closing in on him, things began to get tense.

Treacherous roads packed with humps and potholes, combined with a number of sharp turns, radically reduced the speed of the riders but Sabu nonstop to hound Rajesh and got close enough to make a move. But it was not to be. Sabu attempted a final push to get ahead of Rajesh but the South Western Railways’ cyclist was boxed down by the riding pack at the final turn. With Sabu well and truly out of the way, Rajesh, who represented India at the 2010 Delhi Common wealth Games, daintily glided past the tape and onto the podium.

Medal winners wait for cash awards

The national athletes who won medals in 2006 Common wealth Games and 2010 South Asian Federation Games are still waiting to collect the cash awards announced by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Dawn has learnt.According to the Pakistan Sports Board, the athletes appeared in four disciplines and won five medals during the 2006 Common wealth Games, held in Melbourne, Australia. A 323-member Pakistani dependent participated in the 11th South Asian Games held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, last year when the contingent was headed by then federal sports secretary Anis-ul-Husnain Musavi.

Pakistan’s dependent participated in almost all the 23 disciplines and grabbed 80 medals. Pakistani athletes formed a stir in boxing, squash, hockey, weightlifting and several other games.“No awards, how pathetic! I have played for this nation and all of them specifically federal sports ministry is not concerned at all for our cash awards,” one of the leading athlete, who was part of the 2010 SAF Games dependent told Dawn on condition of anonymity.“If the like amount about travel payment or any other financial concern related to any sports ministry official were pending, it would have been released within two months,” he said.

The athlete insisted: “I don’t know what system the federal government follows, all I know that this is not a action given to national heroes.”Asked whether they have approached sports ministry or any other federal government official concerned in this regard, the athlete said: “There are excuses from the sports ministry that they have no money and they have already forwarded our file to the finance ministry so as soon as they [sports ministry] get the money they will give us the awards.”

The prime minister had announced cash awards for all the medal winners of SAF, Asian, Common wealth and Olympic Games, and issued orders in this regard. However, when approached, an official of the federal sports ministry said: “A request in this regard is pending with the finance ministry but they have not replied yet.”The official claimed that they were actively pursuing the matter and hopefully “it will be resolved any time soon.”The official however, refrained from giving any time frame or time limit for the issuance of cash awards for the players.

NZ the biggest test for Jen

CHEPSTOW’S Jenny McLoughlin admits she will have to pull out the best performance of her hatchling career to date if she is to award at the IPC World Athletics Championships. The 19-year-old sprinter has travelled to New Zealand for the championships, which start today, following a promising 2010 that saw her claim 100m and 200m bronze at the Paralympic World Cup and silver in the former at the Common wealth Games in Delhi.McLoughlin will line up in the T37 100m and 200m again in Christchurch, where she will renew her rivalry with fellow Brit Katrina Hart, while also joining forces with her for the 4x100m relay.

The Chepstow sprinter finished behind Hart at both the Paralympic World Cup and Common wealth Games last year but insists she will have to be on red-hot form just to medal let alone beat Hart.“I think I will have to run out of my skin to get on the podium because there is going to be some hard racing but you never know what might happen,” said McLoughlin.“I am pretty confident and going to the Common wealth Games gave me a lot of confidence. It was a great experience and I know I’m in good situation at the moment.“I would probably say the 200m is the one I prefer, you have to get a good start in the 100m and there is a bit more leeway in the 200m and I think I run a good bend as well.

“Katrina is going to be out there and I think we do push each other on. We both want to do well and that is good for the team but we both do our own things and just meet on the track.“But aside from Katrina I race with the other girls I am going to come up against all the time. I did at the Paralympic World Cup and in Delhi and now at the worlds.”McLoughlin – a former Chepstow Comprehensive School pupil – has been fine tuning her preparations at an Aviva-funded holding camp in Auckland prior to moving on to Christchurch. The Chepstow runner will begin her campaign tomorrow with the 200m.

Salary of CWG workers published following complaints

In the wake of complaints that a huge number of relatives and without qualifications persons got jobs during the Common wealth Games, the government's high level enquiry Committee headed former CAG V K Shunglu today made public the names of 2100 persons appointed by the Organising Committee. The list of the 2100 persons selected by the CWG OC and holding posts during the period March 2009-November 2010 has been made available along with their designations and salaries on a government portal.

The High Level Committee (HLC), appointed by the government to look into allegations of corruption in conducting the CWG, has received complaints that several of the persons appointed were paid salaries not equal with their qualifications and experience and that some of them were relatives/associates of VIPs or office bearers of the Organising Committee.It has asked the public to share any information about these persons, their relationship with CWG officials, their experience and salary drawn and send them to the HLC.

As per the list, Sardar Mohammad Aslam Khan who worked for Protocol and CGF Relations was the highest paid with a monthly salary of Rs 3,22,105 which he drew till November last year. Sujit Panigrahi in the Technology section drew a whopping Rs 3,01,355 monthly salary till January last year while T S Darbari was getting Rs 1,96,000 per month before his sacking in January last year for participation in the Queens Baton Relay financial bungling.Jarnail Singh, who was the Chief Executive of the CWG Organising Committee, got a monthly salary of Rs 1,52,000 till November last year while OC Director General VK Verma drew Rs 1,87,794 per month till November, 2010.

Rasquinha contemplating arrival to hockey

The formal announcement of World Hockey Series by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) early this month has not only got over 100 overseas players involved in the league but it has also forced former India captain Viren Rasquinha to think of a return.“I have been playing domestic hockey league in Mumbai and I have been considering making a comeback,” the former India midfielder, who was in Bangalore on Thursday, told .The league, which is to be launched later this year, has received a marvelous response from hockey players the world over, and if things go as planned, hockey buffs may see former greats taking to the turf.

“Let’s say that the World Series is quite a bit of a target but more than that I just want to get back to the sport,” added the 30-year-old who retired from international hockey in 2008 to pursue a MBA degree. When asked if he sees himself playing for India again, he said he was confident. “Though the game has changed since the time I quit, if I am able to make time and practice three hours a day I am confident that I can make it to the Indian team,” he opined. The Mumbaikar has donned the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) since 2009 and with the OGQ-funded athletes playing a main role in the medal tally at the Common wealth Games and Asian Games that kept him busy all of 2010.

However, this year, he has decided to devote time on the field and get acquainted with the fast-paced game.“I have not held a stick in a while as the CWG and Asian Games kept me busy with OGQ work but I’ve just been aggravated with myself for not working out. I hardly had the time but again it all depends on how busy I am going to be this year,” he said. Going by the stunning presentation of young athletes from rural India in the quadrennial proceedings last year, Rasquinha said that urban youngsters don’t have the hunger and dedication to achieve success at the international arena. He even affirmed that he did not see any Mumbai hockey player making it to the national squad in the coming years.

Merrien named Guernsey performer of 2010

Lee Merrien was named wonderful performer of the year in the Guernsey Sports Commission awards on Wednesday.Merrien received the island's highest sporting honor for his performances during 2010.He finished 12th in the London Marathon and was the first Briton home in eighth place in the European Championships marathon in Barcelona. Cricketer Jeremy Frith and table tennis player Alice Loveridge won the individual sportsman and woman awards. Frith was man of the tournament in the ICC European Division Two Championship, which hosts Guernsey won, having scored two of the tournaments three centuries and being the top wicket taker with 12-117 from 41.1 overs with eight maidens.

He, along with tennis player Heather Watson, were the two runners-up to Merrien in the top award. Loveridge, 16, finished 17th in the singles at the Youth Olympics in Singapore, having been the only British player to be eligible for the tournament. She also secured her first senior title with victory in the women's singles final at the Six Nations International table tennis tournament. The team trophy went to the island's football squad who won the National League System Cup and went on to represent England in the Uefa Regions Cup.The Jory Brothers, Adam and Peter, took the small team award for their performance in the full bore shooting at the Common wealth Games, where they finished fourth.

Boxing's Gage Demore won the Lambourne Shield, awarded for wonderful individual achievement by a resident of Guernsey aged 11-18, with young golfer James Hamon recognised as making the greatest progress in the year. Graham Guilbert took the Development Award, which has been renamed the Dave Dorey Memorial Trophy, in recognition of his 50 years of work in boxing.Footballer Richard Luxon was named disabled sports achiever of the year. The ICC European Division Two tournament was recognised as the best organised event of the year.

Jayachandran gets bail

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Common wealth Games Organising Committee (OC) official M Jayachandran in the Queen's Baton Relay scam. Justice Hima Kohli granted bail to Jayachandran as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was unable to file a charge sheet within the fixed 60 days of his arrest. Jayachandran, joint director (finance) in the OC, was arrested Nov 21, 2010 for making doubtful payments to Indian-owned London-based private firm AM Car and Van Hire Limited during the Queen's Baton Relay function in London.

Meanwhile, the CBI also admitted before the court that they were not going to file any charge sheet in the case. The court granted him bail on a private bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of like amount. Earlier, CWG officials Sanjay Mahendroo and TS Darbari were given bail by the court as the CBI failed to file a charge sheet in the case. According to the Criminal Procedure Code, an undertrial is allowed to bail if the investigating agency fails to file a charge sheet within two months of his arrest. The CWG officials are facing charges of causing a loss of Rs 1.55 crore to the exchequer in awarding a contract for the Baton Relay function October 29, 2009, in London before the Common wealth Games.

The CBI registered two cases in connection with contracts awarded at exorbitant rates to London-based AM Films and AM Car and Van Hire Limited. The CBI said Darbari, Mahendroo, Jayachandran, OC director Raj Singh, director of transport firm Ashish Patel, and other unknown persons were involved in falsification of court records and public documents, using forged documents as genuine and criminal conspiracy. The agency also booked them for corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Oz companies might charge CWG OC

Foreign firms which were a part of the Common wealth Games are mulling legal action against Suresh Kalmadi led CWG OC due to professional indifference, non-payment of bills and no efforts to communicate. It has been learnt that millions of dollars are owed to 30-40 foreign companies that helped in the implementation of the opening and closing ceremonies of the sports mega-event held last October. The Australian company behind the fireworks at the Common wealth Games in New Delhi has accused the organisers of unethical behaviour, saying they had not paid their bills.

Andrew Howard said his company, Howard and Sons, was still owed Aus$300,000. Howard said his was one of about 30-40 companies from around the world which had worked on the glittering opening and closing ceremonies and was still waiting for payment or apparatus. “I’ll speak on my company’s behalf, our company still is to be paid 300,000 dollars. We’ve fulfilled our contract in its entirety to a very, very high standard and at every step of the way the organising community has unsuccessful to distribute its end of the contract.

It’s an extremely frustrating situation. We are all so sick of the unprofessional, unlawful and unethical conduct of the OC and they need to be held accountable to their contracts,” he said. A lot of Australian companies have claimed that they have still not been paid for their services rendered during the Common wealth games 2010. These companies include contractors, apparatus suppliers, vendors and consultants. Australian contractors have claimed that they are yet to receive payments between 10-20 million dollars for the various services performed during the opening and closing ceremonies.

Sharath hopes to continue ranking

India’s number one paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal hopes to maintain his world ranking till June to secure an Olympic berth. Having made to the no 2 club in Germany, Ochsenhausen, the current world ranked 40 said it was actually big to get abase in the European nation where the practice condition is excellent. Talking to PTI on the sidelines of the 72nd Senior National table tennis championship here, the Common wealth Games doubles gold medallist said: "At the moment I am looking to qualify for the Olympics straight. This is going to happen by June 1. By then I should be within top 40 in the world."

Twenty eight direct entries with two from each country will secure an Olympic berth. "If someone else also can make it, we can have a chance in the team competition," he said."The Federation is also trying to help me to play the pro-tours. After this I have the England Open and the Qatar Open, where I am defending some points. Playing fine in these tournaments will help me defend some points to stay in the top 40."He said it was tough to make a club in Germany where only one foreign person is allowed per club. He had to wait till he won the Egypt Open.

"It''s the strongest nation in Europe. Germany are also the Olympics silver medallist. I get good practice partners and good practice environment. Basically the players are very strong there and so is the system," he said. Kamal said, "I wanted to go to Germany in 2009. But I couldn''t, as I was too weak for the league. Even being World No 70, I was weak for the league."Because only one foreign player is allowed for a club and generally that place is occupied by a Chinese, Japanese ora Korean. So even if an Indian is good, the Chinese are chosen because of their brand value. So that was one thing why I couldn''t get in."

CBI arrests event manager in CWG overlays scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday arrested the owner of event management companies Meroform India and GL proceedings, Binu Nanu, for his involvement in the controversy over granting overlays contract for the Common wealth Games.Nanu was produced in a CBI special court in Patiala House and was remanded to four days police custody, CBI sources said. The term overlays means a variety of impermanent fittings, fixtures and equipment required for competition and non-competition venues.

These include marquees and tents; temporary structures for ticket booths, spectator services and security checks; portable cabins, furniture and fixtures. The union cabinet had approved Rs.687 crore for overlays in the Organising Committee (OC) budget for the Oct 3-14, 2010 Common wealth Games. The Organising Committee had primarily proposed a budget of Rs.948 crore for the overlays. But the sports ministry, in consultations with the OC, brought it down to Rs.687 crore.

The expenditure finance committee headed by the finance secretary also recommended a budget of Rs.687 crore. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report had pointed out that the reduction in cost by OC indicated that the quantities of the overlays were overstated at the time of tendering. It suggested that there was a possibility that undue favours could have been given to confident vendors.

CWG probe: Panel may miss deadline

The V K Shunglu Committee, which was given three months to arrange a report on financial irregularities in 2010 Common wealth Games, is likely to miss its limit and will have to be given an extension. It was appointed on October 14, the day the Games ended, but began its work on October 25.Sources in the Organising Committee say most of the files that the committee requires for its investigation are with the Comptroller and Audit General (CAG) office, which is also conducting an audit of the Games. To an enquiry by Business Standard, Shunglu neither definite nor denied that the committee was going to seek an extension.

Shunglu, himself a former Comptroller and Auditor General, was appointed by the prime minister to head the probe into the Games, which was held between October 3 and 14. Later, he was given the status of a Supreme Court judge and all agencies were asked to cooperate with the investigation. Now, sources say the committee has sought files which relate to the construction and reformation of stadiums, but these can only be made accessible to it once they are returned by the CAG. The CAG is expected to table the findings of its audit during the Budget session of Parliament, scheduled to start in February.

Business Standard has also learned that the Committee has called very few people for questioning, unlike the Central Bureau of Investigation, and is relying more on the files involving to the conduct of the Games. Earlier, soon after the constitution of the panel, questions were raised over the need of having a probe by the Shunglu Committee when the CAG, CBI and the Enforcement Directorate were already conducting their own investigations.

DVC to hike capacity by 1500 MW

Damodar Valley Corporation is likely to add approximately 1,500 MW thermal power capacity over and above the accessible coal fired generation capacity of 3,070 MW, according to sources. The corporation has 144 MW hydro electric capacity. All the upcoming capacities were designated to supply to Delhi during the Common wealth Games in October 2010. DVC authorities were not available for comment. According to sources, one unit of 500 MW each at the Greenfield power plants at Durgapur in West Bengal and Kodarma in Jharkhand are expected to be operational at full load by March 2011.

On completion, both the plants will generate 1,000 MW (2 X 500 MW) each. The plants are scheduled to be fully operational by end 2012.According to sources, the first unit of 500 MW at Kodarma is a thermal power station already put in trial generation mode. Lighting of the boiler at the first unit of 500 MW at Durgapur Steel TPS is likely to be over in the next two weeks. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd is project contractor for both the plants. The second 500 MW unit at the second phase of the Mejia TPS in Bankura district of West Bengal is expected to be fully operational either by the end of this month or early February.

DVC had 1,340 MW thermal power capacity under the first phase. In the second phase, the corporation is adding two units of 500 MW. The first unit of the second phase development became operational in 2010.According to sources, though the project contractor BHEL has already completed work of the second 500 MW unit in Mejia Phase-II, the unit could not be run on full load due to non-availability of coal. As per regulatory guidelines, unless a unit is run on full load for a stipulated period of time, it cannot be declared as commercially operational.

Savage cuts could destroy Games heritage

Scottish sport leading bodies face slashing cuts of tens of thousands of pounds from their operating and coaching budgets, compromising medal targets for the 2014 Common wealth Games in Glasgow and jeopardising legacy aspirations. They say job losses are predictable, and some sports are unable to appoint coaches for which money had previously been committed. The management board of sportscotland unanimously approved the cuts at a meeting in Stirling 10 days before Christmas, but many governing bodies have yet to learn the detail. Sportscotland insist the cuts are “not set in stone”, but table tennis has already met the national agency. “We have been informed that our budget is to be reduced from £174,000 last year to £63,000,” said chairman Jonathan Whitaker.

“Development and elite performance budgets have both been savaged. “There are 17 sports on the 2014 Common wealth programme for Glasgow, and nine of them are projected to lose more than £345,000.Another nine sports not involved in 2014 are scheduled to lose more than £124,000. Among those is archery – which was on the Delhi programme where targets were not met. It is currently projected to lose £80,000 of the £97,000 it received last year. Lacrosse and sub aqua will forfeit some two thirds of their total budgets. A sportscotland spokesman said last night: “These are indicative facts and are due to be considered again in February.”

Reductions, which it’s feared will dilute and in some cases wipe out the legacy potential of the 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealths in Glasgow, are not due to the economic climate, insisted sportscotland, although a significant part of the cuts have also been influenced by slashed funding for UK coaching.Most sports – including some which have yet to hear officially and are due to meet with the national agency in the next couple of weeks – are unwilling to comment, fearing further repercussions. But they claim that partnership managers, through whom they liase with sportscotland, have not been correctly consulted, and despite assurances, they speak of a lack of right of appeal.

I-T to examine complaints of ‘ghost employees’ in Games OC

In fresh trouble for Common wealth Games Organising Committee, the Income Tax department has sought information of appointment of over 2,000 people among allegations that many were “ghost employees”. In a letter to the Organising Committee (OC), the I-T department has asked it to furnish details of muster rolls, documents pertinent to selection of workforce, salary and tax deduction at basis among others. The OC has been asked to submit the particulars by this month-end. The I-T action came following complaints that large amounts had been siphoned off as salary expenditure in the names of people wrongly shown on the rolls.

About 2,100 people were shown as having worked between May 2009 and November 2010 at different capacities and have together drawn salary running into several crores.“We have asked details of employment in OC to cross-examine whether all the employees have taken their salaries and paid taxes. We will also be checking whether the gather rolls and other records were manipulated or not,” an I-T official said.The move assumes significance as Central Vigilance Commission has received complaints of “fraudulent” recruitment process undertaken by the Organising Committee, sources said. They said that CVC has also asked the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Sports Ministry to probe irregularities in the whole employment process.

The OC has at present about 250 employees who are being reassured in a phased manner, sources said. The anti-corruption watchdog is enquiring into over 30 complaints related to alleged corruption in Games works carried out by different civic and construction agency. It includes overlays works, workforce selection, hiring of equipment and public relation connected projects executed by OC.Besides, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered four FIRs naming some of the close aides of OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi for alleged criminal conspiracy and financial irregularities in executing certain contracts.

OC inflated list of overlays to favour vendors

Officials of the Common wealth Games Organizing Committee led by Suresh Kalmadi are in for fresh problem with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit having found that OC had reduced items from overlays by up to 58% without affecting the Games."As this does not seem to have affected the overlays work later on, it clearly establishes that quantities were inflated at the time of scoping and tendering," the audit said. The CAG observed that "the possibility of this inflation to give undue favour to vendors cannot be ruled out in the light of several other indications of collusion."

Interestingly, as per the tender guidelines, the vendors were required to submit experience certificate of providing overlays for at least one major multi-sporting occasion such as Olympics, CWG or Asian Games for pre-qualification. But the audit found that none of the four vendors who were declared qualified had submitted the certificate. If the actual cost and estimation lastly authorized by the government is taken into account, the overlays bill should not have exceeded Rs 450 crore. This was also the figure OC had initially projected for overlays in 2007.

The Kalmadi-led OC had initially drawn up an overlays budget estimate of Rs 450 crore in July 2007. This was inflated to Rs 870 crore in September 2009 when it was presented before the sports ministry. This was further enhanced to Rs 948 crore a month later when extra provision for some security and technology related items was added. But the finance ministry directed the OC to reduce this budget estimate, which it then brought it down to Rs 713 crore, including a contingency of Rs 40 crore, in October 2009. Finally, the government accorded approval for Rs 687 crore in January 2010.

Delhi searches for legacy after CWG

Three months ago, the Common wealth Games in New Delhi closed on a triumphant note with many Indians daring that the event had proven pessimists wrong. Organisers were delighted the stadiums had hosted 11 days of international, multi-sport action without any of the major disasters predicted by many observers. But such excitement faded quickly after the 6,000 athletes left the city, with attention focusing instead on the vast budget, which ballooned to an estimated $6 billion dollars, and a series of corruption scandals. The Games' sporting legacy has also been hard to recognize as venues remain locked up and public eagerness dissipates despite an impressive medal haul by the host nation, which came second in the table behind Australia.

"These venues will turn into white elephants to be eaten by ants," warned O.P Bhatia, who was in charge of the new netball arena that he complains has remained idle since the end of the Games on October 14.The $63-million Thyagaraj Stadium, now handed over to the city government's education department, is an all-round sports complex that Bhatia grumbles is still not open to the limited community or students."The main Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium also lies idle and it will go to ruins if not utilised," Bhatia said.The Nehru stadium, built in the 1980s, was given a major upgrade and a stunning new roof to ready it for the athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies. But its future role is uncertain.

"India did well in the Games and if these facilities are freely available to our young men and women then the country would progress its performance in international events," said Bhatia, now a temporary sports administrator. Many sports in Delhi are also struggling to reap the benefits from the Games, which were meant to promote exercise and healthy living."We are begging for training space and although there is so much available in the new stadiums, nothing is being given to us," Amateur Boxing Federation secretary general P.K.M. Raja told AFP.The Sports Authority of India (SAI) said the venues were still in limbo due to red tape but promised rapid action.

Somdev gets wild card for Australian Open

Somdev Devvarman has been awarded a important wild card into the men's singles main draw of the Australian Open to be held in Melbourne from January 17 to 30.According to Tennis Australia, the Indian has been given a wild card in recognition of his performances in 2010. He first insolvent into the top 100 and then won singles gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and then the Asian Games in Guangzhou against quality opposition.

Tennis Australia started giving one wild card each in men's and women's singles seven years ago. Anil Khanna, president of the Asian Tennis Federation said: " I am very happy Somdev has got the wild card. He richly deserves it." Somdev was happy about the good news. " I am keen to make compensation for my presentation in the Chennai Open," he told reporters.To be sure this is a break which has come in time for Somdev. After the highs of 2010, he began badly at the Chennai Open when he lost in the first round. Somdev did try to play down the loss but it's no secret that losing at a venue which he loves was hard to digest.

Everyone knows how hard it is to qualify for a Grand Slam and Somdev can now focus on his preparations. As one who puts in hours in training, Somdev needs to use this chance well.Some of his former coaches in Chennai who worked with him six years ago, say that Somdev should not stand three feet behind the baseline and hope to win points. But the bigger issue is one cannot run down Somdev for one first round exit at the Chennai Open. He is aware this is a big year for him as staying in the top 100 will be top precedence.

Games cyclists dominate awards

Pro Tour cyclist Julian Dean received a boost in front of the weekend's national championships when he was named Male Road Rider of the Year at the Road and Track Awards in Christchurch last night. Dean was one of five riders to be honoured by BikeNZ at a particular function in Christchurch ahead of the national championships.BikeNZ is the umbrella body embracing all national bike and cycling organisations with Road and Track, BMX, Mountain Bike and Schools.The awards also went to Common wealth Games medallists with Jesse Sergent voted male track rider of the year, Alison Shanks female track rider of the year, Sam Webster best emerging talent and Linda Villumsen female road rider.

"We felt it important to honour our riders who achieve great things in our sport. While we money the efforts and performances of all of our riders, as a very young organisation we felt it was now an suitable time to increase the awareness of these awards," said BikeNZ CEO, Kieran Turner."For a sport our road and track cyclists bat above their weight on the world scene. This year we have a record five riders on the Pro Tour in the men and four in the women. And on the track we have established ourselves as a world class group of riders, coaches and support staff."And while we have big plans going forward and it is great to celebrate success at the sharp end of our sport tonight, we are also committed to promote cycling as a fun and healthy form of sport and recreation for the whole family and a great way to get around town."

Dean enjoyed his most winning year on the Pro Tour in 2010, again competing in all three Grand Tours for his Garmin Transitions team - the Giro D'italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana. He had three podiums in the Tour de France - second in stages four and 18 and third in stage 20 - and two podiums on the Giro - second on stage 18 and third on stage 10 - to complete an wonderful year.Villumsen has celebrated her first full year in New Zealand colours in style. The former Danish rider, who has been based in New Zealand for several years, switched allegiances to this country in 2010. The HTC Colombia pro rider became the first New Zealander to win a medal at the world road championships, winning a bronze in the time trial in Melbourne. She followed that with a silver medal in the same event at the Common wealth Games in Delhi.

Owen Ellington - Personality of the Year

The outstanding personality for 2010 ought to be someone who has made a important part to the welfare of Jamaicans here and abroad. This person ought to demonstrate courage against the odds. This person ought to be a symbol of hope and a unifying figure. Last year saw some wonderful achievements. There was Christopher Gayle's triple century in a Test match at Galle, Sri Lanka. By making 333 runs, he has made the highest score by a West Indian, outside of the Caribbean; and highest score by any batsman against Sri Lanka.

Gayle is only one of four men in the history of Test cricket to have scored two triple centuries, the other three being world record holder Brian Lara, Australian Don Bradman and Indian Virender Sehwag. Gayle's achievement was remarkable as it was in his first match after being deposed as captain, showing character in the face of adversity.

Then there was Veronica Campbell-Brown, 2010 CAC Athlete of the Year, who is the reigning Olympic 200m champion and the second most-decorated female athlete in Olympic history in terms of gold medals. In March, Veronica extended her inspiring championship records by taking the World Indoor title in 60m in Doha, Qatar. In the outdoor season, she set world season leading times at 100m (10.78) and 200m (21.98), and remained unbeaten at 200m.

Then there was Greg Christie, contractor general, who had out-standing compliance from govern-ment agencies and who is seen as a symbol of courage and anti-corruption. Furthermore, the careful reports and up-to-date website demonstrates profession-alism, clearness and competency. And not to mention Karl Hendrick-son, retired business tycoon who leads a family business in baking, hospitality and chicken business which employs approximately 3,000 persons. The conglomerate in 2010 acquired The Jamaica Pegasus, while donating $50 million to Jamaica College. Mixing entrepreneurship with education is a winning formula.

Geva desires netball to have Olympic status

England goal defence Geva Mentor is confident netball will be awarded Olympic status, in spite of losing its bid for addition to London 2012 and Rio 2016.entor, 26, who helped England to win bronze at the 2010 Common wealth Games in Delhi, has 52 caps for her country. The Bournemouth-born player told BBC Solent: "It would be the pinnacle for netball to have Olympic status and it would do wonders for the sport."It may not happen in my playing career but I want to see it in my lifetime."

The International Olympic Committee approved netball as an Olympic sport in 1995, but it has still failed to gain categorization as a contribution sport at the games, and lost out to rugby sevens and golf for Rio 2016.Mentor argues that netball will need to gain more support before it can compete with other sports on a global scale."Netball needs someone to take that first step," she added. "The media have a big part to play in raising the popularity of the sport, as well as sponsorship. We need a big-name sponsor and a bit more coverage.

"The participation levels are there, it is just about maintaining that and we'll be up there."We know we can't fight against football and rugby but to have more credit and insight into the sport would be great."Mentor divides her time between competing in Australia at the ANZ Championship and playing in England with the international squad.She won the ANZ Championship with Adelaide Thunderbirds last season but, after spending three years at the club, she has now joined Melbourne Vixens.

Peers awarded final Hobart wildcard

Common wealth Games gold medallist Sally Peers has been awarded the final wildcard to the 2011 Hobart International. Currently ranked No.154 in the world, Peers enjoyed her come through season in 2010 when she claimed a bronze medal in singles and gold medal in doubles at the Common wealth Games, and reached the second round of the US Open after defeating world No.54 Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada. After making her WTA Tour debut at the Hobart International in 2009, Peers was eager to be returning for her second main draw appearance at the competition.

“I expected to play in the qualifying rounds so I’m looking forward to entering the main draw and care up my good form,” Peers said.“It’s such a quality field of players to be here once again is a great honour and I will try to play the best I can. Hopefully next year I can directly enter the major draw.”Peers also received a wildcard to this year’s Brisbane International and enjoyed her second win against a top 100 player by defeating world No.25 Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) in the first round.

After awarding a wildcard last week to Australian Open Play-off winner Olivia Rogowska, Hobart International Tournament Director Michael Roberts was pleased to invite another rising star in Australian tennis to Hobart.“Sally performed very well last year with success locally on the ITF Pro Tour as well as abroad at the Common wealth Games and the US Open” said Roberts.“She’s already had a great start to the year and will have the support of fans as she looks to carry on playing well and take her season to the next level in Hobart.”

CBI had fifty questions for Kalmadi

The CWG 2010 Organising Committee chief was grilled for about nine hours by the investigating agency regarding alleged financial irregularities in conducting the sports event When the world highly praised Common wealth Games 2010, the chairman of the Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi who had a smile on his face, most likely wouldn't have thought that a few months later he would be grilled by half-a-dozen CBI sleuths.Kalmadi, who reached the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office at about 10 am on Wednesday, was questioned for nine long hours and left the premises at about 6.30 pm.

"He was questioned about financial irregularities in the Queen's Baton Relay held in London and faced a questionnaire consisting of about fifty questions," a senior CBI official said. CBI sources said that Kalmadi was asked about information of the procedure which was followed in awarding certain contracts and how the money was paid. Officers of the investigating agency had earlier raided Kalmadi's Delhi and Pune residences to look for documents and evidence in association with three FIRs which they have lodged.

The agency had earlier supposed that there were discrepancies regarding certain contracts that were awarded to various firms totalling several hundred crores."He was questioned extensively on the procedures followed by the OC in assigning contracts," sources stated. Kalmadi was also reportedly asked about the Organising Committee's coordination and involvement with other civic agencies during and before the Common wealth Games. "We have recovered a few documents and vital leads from raids which we had conducted at his residences and we asked questions based on those documents and clues which we gathered during our probe," sources said.

Shaunae athlete of the year

In an unparalleled decision, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) selected top junior athlete Shaunae Miller as the Athlete of the Year for her astral gold medal and record-breaking performances in 2010.The 16-year-old 11th grader at St Augustine's College was presented the important Charlie Major Sr award by Charlie Major Jr and Andrea Charlton during the BAAA luncheon at the Sheraton resort, Cable Beach, Sunday.Miller not only got the No.1 ranking in the women's 400 metres with her victory at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada, but she also posted a national junior record and was the gold medallist at both the Carifta Games and CAC Junior Championships where she recognized a meet record as well.

Those feats helped her to also cart home both the Dianna Lynn Thompson Junior Female Athlete of the Year and the Anita Doherty Junior Female Track Athlete of the Year awards.But her biggest triumph came in her win over Donald Thomas, the CAC and Common wealth Games gold medallist and IAAF Continental Cup silver medallist and Chris 'Fireman' Brown, the IAAF World Indoor 400 metre gold medallist, at the year-ending gala awards celebrations."I was excited that I won, but I was a little shocked," said a soft-spoken Miller. "I just have to keep my head high and just continue doing what I have been doing. I'm going to go out and try my best to do it again this year."

Her coach, Dianne Woodside, said the feat is just the tip of the iceberg. "She had a very productive year. I think she deserves it," Woodside said. "She has the World Youth Championships in France. She is very young, so we won't put any pressure on her for World Championships. But if she's ready, she will go to it too."Woodside, by the way, was named the Henry Crawford Coach of the Year, an achievement she shared with her Club Monica athletes."I'm quite honoured. It's not something that I likely, but I'm just glad that I came out on top," said Woodside, who also serves as the president of the revised Bahamas Track and Field Coaches Association.

Civic agencies come under CBI scanner

The Central Bureau of Investigation has widened the ambit of its inspection to uncover the irregularities in organising Delhi Common wealth Games. As the investigating agency intensifies its inquiry into the CWG scam , it will also probe the role of agencies such as the CPWD, NDMC, DDA and the MCD, besides that of the Organizing Committee , which were concerned in the implementation of projects relating to different aspects of the sporting event.The development does not augur well for the civic agencies, or for that matter OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi , who will appear before the CBI for questioning here on Wednesday. He is likely to be questioned about his alleged role in the scam, particularly in the three cases already registered by CBI on the Queen’s Baton Relay and the TSR system.

He’s also likely to be questioned about the contents of the mutilated CD improved from his residence. The CBI, in keeping with its efforts to get to the bottom of the scam, has been conducting searches at the OC headquarters at the NDCC Tower here almost on a daily basis. While it has managed to secure quite a few files pertaining to the three cases already registered by it, agency officials have, in the last couple of days, started investigation for documents on probe points such as, overlays, Games Village, catering, opening and final ceremonies, street-scaping, venue-upgradation, accreditation cards purchase and distribution and waste-management.

Separate agencies were tasked with the job of executing the contracts under each head, and the agency believes that irregularities were dedicated in each aspect. Sleuths of the CBI visited the OC head-office on Monday, and again on Tuesday, in an attempt to zero in on papers relating to each aspect. “Apart from the OC, agencies such as the CPWD, NDMC, DDA and the MCD too have come under our scanner,” said an official. The CPWD, for instance, had upgraded five venues, with the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex, Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex, Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex , Major Dhyanchand National Stadium and Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range for the CWG held here between October 3 and 14, 2010.

Urban dev ministry draws flak for CWG projects delay in 2010

2010 was not a memorable year for the Urban Development Ministry as delays in completion of Common wealth Games projects almost became an millstone round its neck. Nothing went right for the nodal ministry for coordinating the execution of all Games-related projects.As head of the Empowered Group of Ministers for the timely execution of Games projects including the opening and closing ceremonies, Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy faced the flak for the mess in construction of stadia and the Games Village.

The preparatory work for the sporting extravaganza kept the ministry busy for better part of the 2010. Despite the normal review meetings chaired by Reddy, the works moved in a snail's pace failing deadlines. However, after the Games, Reddy cracked the whip on EMAAR MGF, the developers of the Games Village, who erred on several counts. The ministry directed the DDA to confiscate the bank guarantee of Rs 183 crore furnished by EMAAR MGF for its failure to honour the contract.

During 2010, the ministry took initiatives to create focus on sanitation by launching sanitation ratings of 423 cities.Along with the Human Resource Development Ministry, it jointly launched the National School Sanitation Initiative with the objective of bringing about much needed behavioural change which is a key to victory of any sanitation-related initiative. The ministry's flagship programme Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) finished five years of its implementation and more funds were released for urban infrastructure projects under the scheme this year.

Suresh Kalmadi agrees to head Pune power panel

Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi has finally conveyed his readiness to understand the chairmanship of the Pune District Electrification Coordination Committee (PDECC), which had become defunct after he refused to take up the post as the senior-most MP in the district. Kalmadi just sent a letter to the office of electrical inspector and the district collectorate expressing his willingness to accept the post. He wrote that he could not accept the post earlier as he was busy organizing the Common wealth Games (CWG) in New Delhi in October last year.

The PDECC, a district-level committee to monitor quality of power supply and consumer satisfaction, had become obsolete after Kalmadi declined the offer to chair the body and facilitate its meetings. RTI activist Vivek Velankar, who had accessed the records on the issue, told that a monthly review of the services provided by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited by the committee was necessary.“Citizens are not fulfilled with the services of the MSEDCL. Interruptions in power supply despite paying extra charge, power cut every Thursday in the name of maintenance and problems in distribution of electric bills are the most important issues,” he said.

The state government had passed an order in July 2005 to form district-level committees to monitor power supply and customer satisfaction as per section 166 (5) of the Electricity Act, 2003. As per the order, the senior-most MP from the district will be chosen as the chairman of the committee and all members of the legislative assembly in the district will be members of the committee. Officers of the state government and electricity company as well as consumer representatives will also be members of the committee.As per the state government order, such a committee was earlier formed in Pune district under the chairmanship of Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar. This committee held two meetings in October 2007 and November 2008.

James Magnussen eyes a golden career

PORT Macquarie's own Common wealth Gold medallist James Magnussen is for a larger a better year than 2010.And considering the 19-year won relay gold at the Delhi Common wealth Games, his prospect are sky high.Magnussen rushed the gold award from his English rivals in the last 50 metres of the 4 x 100m freestyle relay at the XIX Common wealth Games in Delhi.The Aussies' team of sprint king Eamon Sullivan, Kyle Richardson and Tommaso D'Orsonga left Magnussen in second place behind England's Adam Brown with 50m remaining. But the Port Macqquarie superfish stormed home to win by a body length.

"I sort of knew where he was, and I knew his style of swimming, so I was not at all worried by him," Magnussen explained."I knew I could get up over him in the end."It's a dream to win a gold medal for Australia."I'm thrilled."As confident as the youngster sounds, representing his country at the Common wealth Games came somewhat surprisingly."It was a lot more than I expected to occur to me for the year," Magnussen said.The plan was to just get settled in Sydney and get myself into a routine."But 2010 held much more for Magnussen than winning Commonwealth gold.

"I was able to travel to six different countries," he explained."I had the opportunity to meet a lot of world-class swimmers from all over the world."And he is off again. After spend a week home with family for Christmas, Magnussen has headed back to the big smoke and won't be back in his native land of Port Macquarie for some time."I had a really nice time while being back here," he said."It was good to catch up with friends and family.""Unfortunately chances are this will be the last time I'm in Port Macquarie before London (2012 Olympic Games)."Before concentrating on the upcoming Olympics, Magnussen must first competition the Australian swimming championships in April.

Games star in hopeful come back

She was one of athletics' best-performing females in 2010 but Nikki Hamblin started 2011 lining up against the blokes.The double Common wealth Games silver medallist was a late entry into Saturday's Tauranga Twilight meet at the Tauranga Domain, skipping her expert 800m and 1500m and moving up a distance in its place. The English-born, Cambridge-based 22-year-old took on a quality line-up in the feature race, the Waikato-Bay of Plenty competition 3000m, and ran gamely to finish 10th in the 23-strong field in 9m 18.41s."This time of year is very much an injury risk for me because I am running the long miles and to come and run around the track is always a bit chancey but I'm glad I came because now I've got a gauge as to where my fitness is," Hamblin said.

"I'm about where I thought I'd be so it's onwards and upwards. I haven't done any specific training, just concentrating on mileage and not doing any fast stuff, so it could have been anywhere between 9min and 10min."I tried to find a guy running about 9.15 pace which worked pretty well."She might have been a relative unknown 12 months ago but Hamblin's presentation in Delhi put paid to that.Within four days, her silvers in over 1500m and 800m - behind Kenyan Olympic champion Nancy Langat - reignited female track running in this country.It was the first time a New Zealand woman had won a Games track medal since Barbara Moore 20 years ago and Hamblin connected Lorraine Moller as the only other woman - and fifth runner overall - to have won two persons track medals at one occasion.

The only downside to Delhi was her 1500m time, which was an agonising 0.07secs short of a qualifying mark for this year's world championships in Korea, but Hamblin isn't letting that affect her plans."I'm sure I'll be able to run my qualifying time when I go to Europe in June and July so I'm not going to chase it in Australia or New Zealand just so I can get that solid base built up."I need a lot of power so I can last until August because it's a long term and ideally I only want to peak once."Auckland's Jonathan Jackson chased down American Cory Chaffee to win the 3000m title in 8m 31.02s, while Hamilton Hawks runner Mohamed Ali was the first WBOP athlete in fourth, clocking 8m 46.03s.Organisers of the annual meet attracted nearly 300 junior and senior entries, including decathletes Brent Newdick - who also won silver in Delhi - and Scott McLaren.