Sachin Tendulkar will make his presence felt during the opening ceremony
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond addresses a press conference in Glasgow. (Photo: PTI)
Glasgow: “You bet we’re ready,” declared Glasgow’s council leader as the Scottish city once again welcomed the world to the banks of the River Clyde for the 20th Commonwealth Games. Known as an “emporium of the world” during its heyday as a trading port, the city is now braced for the arrival of 100,000 overseas fans and over 4,000 athletes from the 71 competing nations.
Speaking from his office in the City Chambers, a grand Victorian sandstone building symbolic of Glasgow’s proud history council leader Gordon Matheson promised a warm welcome for guests.
“The Friendly Games have come to the friendly city,” he said. “Glasgow’s always ready to welcome the world.”
When asked if the city was well-prepared, Matheson replied: “You bet we’re ready! We could have done this a year ago.
“It’s an enormous honour for me to be leader of the city at this time,” he added.
In the city’s George Square, overlooked by the chambers, the sense of anticipation was growing ahead of Wednesday’s opening ceremony. A long queue snaked in front of a makeshift ticket office, while tourists posed for pictures in front of the square’s new focal point, a sculpture of the official Games logo.
Nearby Buchanan Street was festooned with bunting and banners carrying the words “bring it on” in a font inspired by legendary designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of the city’s most famous sons.
Early risers were treated to the Queen’s Baton, the Games’ equivalent of the Olympic Torch being zip-lined across the Clyde from the top of the Finnieston Crane.
Sachin at games Opening
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar is set to play a special part in Wednesday’s opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games here. Tendulkar will make his presence felt during the ceremony in his capacity as the Global Goodwill Ambassador of the Unicef, which has partnered with the Glasgow CWG organisers and Commonwealth Games Federation in a first-of-its-kind initiative to spread awareness about children’s’ problems facing all over the world.
But how Tendulkar will be part of the ceremony, to be graced by the Commonwealth’s head Queen Elizabeth II, British Prime Minister David Cameron and his Cabinet colleagues and other dignitaries from Commonwealth nations, is not known yet as the organisers are tightlipped about it.
Two indian athletes out
Glasgow, July 22: The Indian contingent suffered a jolt on Tuesday with two athletes pulling out of the Commonwealth Games. Sachin Roby, who was a part of the men’s 4x400m relay squad, has been suffering from jaundice for the past few days while para-athlete Sachin Choudhary returned home due to the deteriorating condition of his ailing father.
Chef-de-mission Raj Singh said that Roby will be sent home if the team doctors permit.
“Roby was admitted to a local hospital for four days and was diagnosed with jaundice,” Singh said. “I have asked the team doctors if he can be sent back home in this condition.”
Para-sports manager Shankar Iyer said that Choudhary might return to Glasgow if his father’s condition improved. Meanwhile, there was good news for Indian boxers with the world body Aiba reversing its original stand of not allowing coaches at ringside during bouts. Assistant coach Jaidev Bisht welcomed the move. “We have not been informed yet, but this is definitely good news. —
( Source : AFP )
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