Friday, June 25, 2010
The Queen’s Baton Relay arrived in India from Pakistan through the historic Wagah Border in Amritsar on Friday, starting the 100-day countdown to this year’s Commonwealth Games.
At the international border, chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee Suresh Kalmadi, received the baton from Lt Gen Syed Arif Hassan Pakistan Olympic Association President, where Mike Fennel Chief of Commonwealth Games Federation was also present on the occasion.
On 29th October the QBR was launched by Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace in London in the presence of Indian President Pratibha Patil. Now it will go for 100- day national tour for the games occurring in New Delhi from 3rd to 14th October.
Kalmadi said after passing the baton to a host of dignitaries including CGF CEO Mike Hooper and Olympic bronze medalist boxer Vijender Singh, “ It’s a great day for support in India.
The baton has gone 170,000 kms all around the Commonwealth. We have received it in a very big manner.” He further added, “It’s a big day for India and Pakistan. It is because of Pakistan’s effort that India got the Games and it shows that our relationship with Pakistan will improve if we concentrate on the sporting angle”. He said, “I am grateful to Mr.
Fennell and Mr Hooper, who have been supporting us. This also happens to be 100 days before the Games. Let me tell you that everything is in place, including the infrastructure. Everything is on track.” He further added, “ It’s a historic moment for us. It would get rid of the hostilities of the past.”
