No Smooth sailing of Quees Baton this time

It seems that the Queens Baton relay can face some difficulties this commonwealth games. Right from the day the Queens Baton Relay started its facing some challenges like Change of program for the batons route in India due to the festival season. Then the queen Batons route again was changed due the pulling of Gambia from the commonwealth games.

Now today when the Queens Baton was to reach the holiday paradise Maldives it might face some strong violent protest going on in the country. There are some issues related to elections n the country that caused problems and some violent protest in Male. The Batons has to stay in the small island country for 2 days. We'll keep you updated about the Batons relay.

Recently the Baton had a successful outing of Sri Lanka and an average relay ceremony in Pakistan with some officials absent on the event of Baton relay.

Another chance to secure 2014 commonwealth games tickets

The Commonwealth Games 2014 to be held at Glasgow is going to be the biggest sporting event int the history of Scotland. The response form the public is already tremendous.  The games authority have already received more than 2 million requests for one millions tickets. The first lot of tickets were held few days back and now the public has another chance to get tickets for various events of the games mega competition.

This special chance is for those who have not received any tickets in the previous application phase. The exclusive exclusive on sale window will be available at the website https://tickets.glasgow2014.com. and would serve on first come first get basis for 5 days from 21-Oct to 26-Oct. First two days of the sale are reserved exclusively to those fans who have not got any ticket from the previous application.

Hurry and grab the tickets now. Best wishes.

Related post: http://commonwealth-games-blog.blogspot.com/2013/09/common-wealth-games-2014-tickets-costs.html
 

Route for Queens Baton Relayed to change after Withdrawl of Gambia

As mentioned in the previous post, Gambia has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games 2014 and no longer wish to be part of the Commonwealth Nations. Since now only 70 nations would be participating the queens batons will cover journey to 70 nations only. The launch of The Queen's Baton Relay took place on 9th Oct where the hidden message of queen was placed in the baton, then Baton begin the Journey to previous host country India and spend around 3 days before heading to Bangladesh.  From Bangladesh it will head to Pakistan.

Here is the complete route of Queens Baton relay (Revised after Gambia withdrawal)

1. India
2. Bangladesh
3. Pakistan
4. Sri Lanka
5. Maldives
6. Singapore
7. Malaysia
8. Brunei
9. Australia
10. New Guinea
11. Solomon Islands
12. Nauru
13. Tuvalu
14. Samoa
15. New Zealand
16. Kiribati
17. Cook Islands
18. Tonga
19. Niue
20. Norfolk Islands
21. Vanuatu
22. Sierra Leone
23. Ghana
24. Nigeria
25. Cameroon
26. Kenya
27. Uganda
28. Rwanda
29. Tanzania
30.  Seychelles
31. Malawi
32. Zambia (Please note that its Gambia that withdraw from the games not Zambia)
33. Namibia
34. Botswana
35. Mauritius - This is the only country apart from my home nation India that I've visited. A beautiful nation, with lots of natural beauty, crystal clear waters. Read my experience with Maurituis holidays here.
36. Mozambique
37. Swaziland
38. Lesotho
39. South Africa
40. St Helena
41. Falkland Islands
42. Guyana
43. Barbados
44. Grenada
45. Trinidad & Tobago
46. St Vincent & The Grenadines
47. St Lucia
48. Dominica
49. Antigua & Barbuda
50. Montserrat
51. St Kitts & Nevis
52. Anguilla
53. British Virgin Islands
54. Jamaica
55. Cayman Islands
56. Turks and Caicos Islands
57. Bahmas
58. Belize
59. Bermuda
60. Canada
61. Cyprus
62. Malta
63. Gibraltar
64. Jersey
65. Guernsey
66. Isle of Man
67. Northern Island
68. Wales
69. England
70. Scotland

Will try to keep you update about the queens baton relay. 

Indian Festivsal Season & Queens Baton Relay

"We look forward very much to bringing the baton and sharing our excitement and enthusiasm for the Commonwealth Games with the people of India next week, as planned" This is the message from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Committee however Queens baton relay might face some problems in Delhi due the festival season.

The baton is schedule to visit India next week and then continue the journey to around 71 participation nations. The baton contains queens message which she will read on the opening ceremony of the games. The hand written message read by her majesty, the queen marks the opening of the Commonwealth games.

The Indian authorities have already told the commonwealth representative about the inability to hold the baton relay in Delhi, which coincides with the major Hindu festival called Dushehra. Dushera is celebrated with great job in India. It marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, this day there can be traffic problems as people come out to see the fireworks held throughout the country.

Taking the immediate steps, the 2014 Commonwealth Games organisers  in Glasgow have already sent a team to India. The team is given the task to avoid any potential issues with the Baton Relay.

Sounds like this baton relay problem might be resolved by the organisers and IOA however another problem Glasgow commonwealth if facing that rumours are there that Gambia might withdraw or not participate in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Success Story - Athelete still waiting for promised job

It really feels sad to post a story like this. But I've to post this to bring the truth of the commonwealth games preparation, facilities given to the athletes and how false promises are made to take the credit or for vote bank politics in India.

This story is of a women athlete who won a gold medal in the 2010 commonwealth games, held in New Delhi, India. The name of the athlete is Anisa Sayyed from Pune. She won 2 gold medals in the shooting competition. On her winning two gold medal the then Chief Minister of the state of Maharashtra promised her a Class I government job.

But in the last three years, there is no progress in this matter, despite being several communications made with concerned authorities.  The shooter is currently without a job yet preparing for the 2014 commonwealth games to be held at Glasgow along with some other international sporting events.

I hope that the concerned authorities will fulfil the promises made and the athlete can better focus on her training stuff etc. rather than requesting for job.

2014 Glasgow commonwealth games competition is not as easy as 2010 for India

India achieved the record second position in the medals tally in the 2010 commonwealth games that were held in New Delhi, India. This was the first time India won so many medal in the games history, however it'd be difficult for India to repeat this success in the 2014 Glasgow competition.

India is expected to get around 30 to 50 less medals this year. Reason for this is that many of the games that India won gold, silder or bronze medals are not included in the games this year. This means that there will be a serious impact on the overall medal tally for India.

Games that are excluded this time:

•  archery
• Greco-Roman wrestling 
• pair shooting
• Individual shooting events are less 

However this just sounds like an excuse for a country of more than 100 millions population. A country must be competitive to win each and every competition they particiapte and not only the ones they won medals previously or regularly.

My suggestion to Indian authorities is to stop wondering about what has already happened and could not be changed. Just focus hard on the sports person, provide them the training etc and get them ready for 2014 Glasgow commonwealth challenge.

My best wishes for all the teams and sportsperson representing India in Glasgow commonwealth games. 

Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 Venues, the tracks, grounds & stadiums

There is still a couple of months left for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 to start and the commonwealth organizing committee is doing a great job. Almost all the venues, roads etc are expected to get ready months in advance. In this commonwelath games 71 nations/regions will compete in total of 17 sports. This event will run for 11 days and the locations where these 17 sports contests would  take place (indoor or outdoor) are mentioned below:

Tollcross International Swimming Centre
Located at Tollcross Park in Glasgow’s East End, this simming centre has been upgraded recently with competion, recreation, training and fitness facilities. There is a capacity of 2000 spectator seats.

Glasgow National Hockey Centre
Up to the international standards this will feature the hockey matches and serves as new headquarters for Sotland hocket training etc. Also read T&T hockey team to play in Commonwelath 2014 after Pakistan teams exclusion

Scotstoun Sports Campus
This will host squash, table tennis games. Has a facility of 2500 seats for spectators alongwith gym, pool, TT, Badminton courts, running track, fitness centres etc.

Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls CentreFor Lawn bowls competitions, this centre has been upgraded recently.

Other venues includes:

• Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike Trails
• The Hydro
• The Barry Buddon Shooting Centre
• Emirates Arena, including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome
• Strathclyde Country Park
• Hampden Park
• Royal Commonwealth Pool
• Celtic Park
• The Athletes’ Village