Games fever returns to Oz

Celebrate the spirit of unity and friendship as the iconic Queen’s Baton 2010 touches down in Australia.

values. This diversity in the Commonwealth Games family is both a challenge and a strength,” he added.

BY USHA ARVIND

The countdown has begun, not just for the 2010 Commonwealth Games at New Delhi, but for the much awaited Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) which will travel through four metros in Australia. As the baton touches down in Sydney on April 19, it will be a historic occasion no doubt; given that Melbourne was the previous host and Delhi, the immediate incumbent.

A long-standing tradition of the Commonwealth Games, the Baton’s journey symbolises the unity and shared ideals of Commonwealth nations, bringing communities across the world together. QBR has been curtain raiser to every Games since Cardiff in 1958.

Bearing the Queen’s message to the Games, the 2010 New Delhi baton was officially handed over to Indian President Pratibha Patil at Buckingham Palace in late October, and will travel 190,000 km, visiting 71 Commonwealth nations and all Indian states and union territories before arriving at the Indian capital on the eve of the opening ceremony. In the process, the baton will also have passed through thousands of hands, and travelled by different modes of transport across land, air and sea. QBR 2010 is expected be one of the longest relays in the history of the Games and India hopes to plant trees all along the 20,000km route the baton will take in the country. CWG 2010 is a first for India, and this is only the second time an Asian country has hosted the Games.

“The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be an exciting and unique experience for participants and visitors,” said Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) Chief Executive Officer, Perry Crosswhite. “For the future relevance of the Commonwealth Games, it is very important that nations like India host the event, and do so in such a way to reflect its society and

The ACGA has collaborated closely with the Indian High Commission, Consulates and CWG 2010 New Delhi team to make this event an unforgettable one.

Following a suggestion from the Indian government, the event will kick off from the ethnically diverse Parramatta region.

“Parramatta has a large Indian community, so I personally felt that it was an important milestone in the epic journey, ” Consul General (Sydney) Amit Dasgupta told Indian Link. “They have successfully staged the AR Rahman concert and plans are afoot for the maiden South Asian festival Parramasala. So it seemed a positive idea, if it could be done,” he added.

Community groups, particularly the Australia India Business Council, he indicated, have worked tirelessly to bring the event to Sydney and in the process forge strong new ties between the two nations.

Harris Park, which faced international media glare for all the wrong reasons putting diplomatic relation between India and Australia at strain, will proudly welcome the torch, showing off its multicultural heritage and spirit of sportsmanship.

Parramatta Council has organized a breakfast event at Harris Park to mark the arrival of the Baton, which will then make its way to Parramatta Town Hall for an official civic welcome. Athletes, children and well-known members of the local community are to carry the Baton along the route. A cultural tableaux by Indian and other ethnic groups is also being planned.

“Parramatta is proud to host the Queen’s Baton Relay and its journey is a fitting tribute to the communities residing here,” Lord Mayor Paul Garrard stated. “This is a special occasion for our city and a unique opportunity for the wonderfully diverse communities of Parramatta to be all involved in a great tradition,” he said.

“Earlier this year our city played host to the spectacular AR Rahman concert, entertaining over 50,000 people in Parramatta Park. That Parramatta has been chosen yet again to host this significant world-wide event reflects our growing status as a global city. It is also part of the reward for Council’s continued efforts to promote our city as a centre for major events.

Culminating at the pinnacle is a precious jewellery box containing the Queen’s ‘message to the athletes’, which has been inscribed on a “patra” using modern technique of micro-calligraphy.

Weighing under 2 kg, it is embedded with GPS technology and features LED lighting, with image capturing and texting facilities.

A consortium led by Bharat Electronics Ltd, Titan Industries and Foley Design was entrusted with the responsibility of creating this masterpiece.

CWG2010 is India’s major multi-sport event since Asiad in 1982. This is only the second time the event has been hosted by an Asian country.

The Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 was inaugurated at Buckingham Palace in October last year and will clock over 180,000 kms. This tradition of a curtain raiser event has been followed since 1958 and for the first time in Melbourne 2006, the baton visited all nations in the Commonwealth.

I would like to thank the Consul General and the Indian Government for granting us this tremendous opportunity to promote our city and to correct some of the misperceptions circulated by the international media last year,” Cr Garrard added, inviting all Sydney residents to attend the historic event.

Fellow Councillor Dilip Chopra, of Hornsbyshire Council echoed his sentiments.

Complimenting the Parramatta Council for its strong pro-Indian initiatives, Chopra noted that Indian Australians are an eminent group, backed by strong education, professional work ethics and cultural values and therefore a worthy component of the mainstream socio-economic fabric.

“The council has the full support of the affluent and progressive Indian community, its business leaders and local diplomatic staff, and I am sure the event will be a thumping success. The relay will be significant not only to all in Sydney and its surrounding areas, but to the entire nation as well. Here is an opportunity for multicultural Australia to unite and show the world that we are a homogeneous and vibrant nation, ” he further added.

From Parramatta, the Baton will depart for Sydney via Parramatta River Ferry Wharf, arriving by military vessel to Man O War steps. The Baton will then travel to the iconic Opera House, where it will be welcomed at the forecourt by the a senior minister from the NSW government and High Commissioner of India Sujatha Singh. Cultural performances will celebrate the event, culminating with a business reception specially organised by AIBC at Hotel Sofitel.

The Baton’s next stop would be Melbourne, where an official reception has been planned at Federation Square with Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.

Steve Moneghetti, the Chef‐de‐Mission of the 2010 Australian Commonwealth Games Teamwill run the final leg from the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) and will be joined by VIS athletes and members from the local Indian community. Premier John Brumby is to host a fundraising dinner at the Regent Theatre, following which the baton will continue to Brisbane and Gold Coast, where it will be welcomed by Premier Anna Bligh and school kids.

Incidentally the Queensland government and ACGA jointly hope to bid for the 2018 games.

“It is only fitting that the newest economic leader of the Commonwealth of Nations is hosting the Commonwealth Games 2010,” former UIA president Raj

Natarajan said. India’s emergence as an economic super power in the last decade has further increased its stake to host big sporting events. “ The Australian leg of Queens Baton relay obviously is a double celebration for us, Australians of Indian origin, because we feel obviously proud to see the Games being held in the country of our birth but at the same time as Australians we would like to see the mighty Australian Team once again succeed and come out on top at the Delhi Games. The Commonwealth Games also remind us of the special relationship with Britain and it’s colonial links, which has left indelible mark on Indian society. Let us not forget that it is those links like the English language, democratic values and of course, love for the game of cricket, which has helped migrant Indians to assimilate with Australian society more readily than other migrant groups. This is the very reason why Indian migration to Australia is a success story and the Commonwealth Games signifies this important contribution to the lives of Indian Australians,” Natarajan further stated.

So, can New Delhi and its much touted USP Athithi Devo Bhava, match Melbourne’s example and pull off a triumphant winner? That’s the big question on everybody’s lips. Since the rising economic power won the bid to host the games, CWG 2010 has been dogged by controversies surrounding delayed infrastructure projects, cost blowout and security.

“Of course, India can,” said an emphatic Amit Dasgupta. Quoting the Indian Prime Minister’s words that India is a young nation with an ancient history, Dasgupta predicts that “we will do even better, showcasing India’s strong spirit of friendship and brotherhood as well as our rich cultural heritage.”

“The Indian organisers are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of participants and spectators,” indicated Crosswhite, “and we are working closely with relevant Indian and Australian authorities. I have received substantial briefing on security measures both planned and in place for the Games, I believe that those responsible for Games security in Delhi are doing everything they can to ensure a successful Games.”

Dr Harry Harinath of Cricket NSW confirms this belief. “Having recently returned from India, I could see construction going on in full swing. India’s working methods are very different to our own, but it has a strong history of executing mammoth cricket events like the ongoing IPL without a glitch, so I don’t perceive any negative issues there. After all, India has a lot at stake here being a rising superpower and I am sure they will do a fantastic job,” he concluded.

Highlights of the relay

Join the Queen’s Baton as it journeys through four cities from April 19-21

Sydney

Mon April 19

7.30 am: Relay commences with community activities, cultural tableaux at Wigram St Harris Park. Eminent citizens & children from St Olivers and Performing Art High

9.15 am: Lord Mayor of Parramatta Paul Garrard, Minister for Western Sydney David Borger, HC of India Sujatha Singh and Governor of Delhi participate in a parade through Parramatta CBD before heading to Town Hall for official reception (10-11 am)

11.15 AM: Prominent local identity to convey baton to Parramatta ferry wharf, where it will be transferred by Sydney Ferries to Homebush. Marine Rescue Vehicles will transport it to Man o War steps South.

1.15pm: Community identity to hand it over to a senior Government official to Box Office podium level for official welcome. Baton carriers will then convey the Baton across Opera House forecourt and East Circular Quay. Cultural displays will accompany the baton.

It will feature at India Australia Trade and Investment Forum at Sofitel Hotel in the early part of the evening.

Melbourne

Tuesday 20 April

10am-midday: Free public event with demonstrations by Victorian Institute for Sport, showcasing athletics, cycling, gymnastics and rowing. Get up close with your favourite sports personality. Ricki-Lee Coulter to perform at 11 am.

12 noon: Steve Moneghetti Chef de Mission Australia 2010 will lead VIS athletes and members from Indian community in the relay and hand over baton to Mayor.

12.30 pm: Reception by Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle at Federation Square. As previous host, he will officially hand over baton to Indian High Commissioner, the next host.

Premier Brumby to host fundraising dinner organized by Victorian Commonwealth Games Association at Plaza Ballroom, Regent Theatre.

Brisbane/Gold Coast

Wednesday, 21 April

8.15 am: Official welcome by Premier Anna Bligh. The baton will make a school visit before proceeding to a reception by Lord Mayor of Brisbane.

1.45pm: Baton travels to Gold Coast with a celebration planned at Southport Broadwater parklands

Please note programme is subject to change. For updates, visit www.commonwealthgames.com.au