India confident of successful Commonwealth Games

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Thursday January 28, 2010 00:00

Bhatnagar, was speaking to Mmegi Sport at the Gaborone Cricket Club during the brief tour of the Queen's Baton yesterday.

He said although cricket remains by far the most popular sport in India, the over one billion people in the country are still passionate about other sports codes.

He stated that India has been doing well in shooting, hockey, chess, weightlifting and snooker, which should ensure interest from Indian fans during the Commonwealth Games.

Bhatnagar said despite the exclusion of cricket from the Commonwealth Games, interest in the 11-day event will not be affected. The Indian shares the same sentiments as Botswana Cricket Association (BCA) officials, who feel that cricket should be included in the Commonwealth Games. Bhatnagar believes the inclusion of cricket would increase the games' revenue and viewership.

He said he was impressed with the commitment shown by athletes in Botswana during his short stay in the country.

'Yesterday (Tuesday) I met some local athletes and today (Wednesday) I have seen young children very keen on cricket. The commitment is there and it is good to see many sports codes being promoted,' Bhatnagar said.

The Commonwealth Games' delegation accompanying the Queen's Baton leave for Windhoek, Namibia today.

The baton will be taken to all 71 Commonwealth countries before it lands in Delhi on October 3 having covered a distance of 190,000km since it left the Buckingham Palace on October 29, 2009.

Queen's Baton Fact file

It weighs 1.8kg with 24-carat gold and coloured Indian soils
It contains the Queen's message, which can be seen but cannot be read.

The message would be read on October 3 at the official opening of the games
Light-emitting diodes embedded in the baton can change to display the colours of each country's flag.

It has a camera, a recording system that enables people to send text message.
The baton has the ability to capture images and sound as it travels through all 71 nations of the Commonwealth.