SYDNEY (Reuters) – Queensland’s state government will contribute A$11 million ($10.08 million) to the bid to bring the 2018 Commonwealth Games to the Gold Coast, local media reported on Monday. The Gold Coast, about 75 kilometres south of Brisbane, was nominated as the region to bid for the Games in 2008.

“The Games bid is formally made by the Australian Commonwealth Games Association and we will be working in partnership with the Association to launch that bid now into the international arena,” Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told the ABC.

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CHENNAI (Reuters) – Indian Olympic Association has dismissed a report that England could pull out due to security concerns.

A British newspaper published a report on Wednesday quoting unnamed government sources saying England might boycott the Oct. 3-14 Games because of fears for the safety of their athletes.

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New Delhi: The Organisation Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hero Honda Motors Ltd., world’s largest two wheeler manufacturer and a leading supporter of sports in India.

Hero Honda has joined hand with the OC as the Presenting Partner of the 100 days’ long Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi’s National Sector covering a distance of around 20,000 km across all Indian states and Union Territories.

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New Delhi – India will spend an estimated $2.26 billion (Rs 10,555 crore) in hosting next year’s Commonwealth Games, the government said today.

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Pratik Prakashbapu Patil said that the Organising Committee would also generate revenue of around Rs 1,708 crore from ticketing, broadcasting, sponsorship, licensed merchandise and donations.
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GLASGOW- Glasgow 2014 Limited, the Organising Committee for the Commonwealth Games, has today announced that funding for the event will increase to £454 million.

The funding boost follows a year of detailed planning for the Games and a thorough review of the budget required to deliver an outstanding Games for Glasgow and Scotland.

A detailed risk register developed by the Games partners has provided a sound basis to increase the funding available for contingencies. This level of planning would not have been appropriate or cost effective at the time of the bid. A number of factors including Legislative changes, and in particular rising broadcasting costs, have contributed to the budget increase.
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NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India has doubled its budget to organise the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next year as it hopes to use the international gathering to show itself off as a major global destination.

The government on Thursday revised the budget to $344 million, a significant increase from the previous $163 million.

“It has been felt important to increase the amount because of the inclusion of new items that are essential for the successful delivery of the Games that were not provided in the initial budget,” the country’s Information & Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters.

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Calls by the 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee for the removal from Delhi of the Commonwealth Games Federation CEO, Mike Hooper, have been rejected.

Speaking from his home back in Jamaica after his recent visit to India, CGF President, Michael Fennell, said that Hooper had a vital role to play with the Delhi Games.

“We are naturally very surprised and disappointed in receiving this request to remove Mr Hooper from Delhi given his unquestionable commitment to the successful celebration of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi,” Fennell said.

“I have responded to Mr. Kalmadi’s letter and public statements in writing, recording that Mr. Hooper enjoys the full support of the CGFs Executive Board, and that he is an outstanding Chief Executive and leader of the CGF management team.”

“He is totally dedicated to the Commonwealth Games movement and we consider that such a personal attack on him is unwarranted.

“Instead of attacking Mr Hooper, I urge the Organising Committee to focus on the issues raised by us in Delhi following our General Assembly on Monday, and to commit to working collaboratively with all stakeholders on addressing these matters with urgency.

“That is the clear commitment of the CGF Board, Mr Hooper and his staff.

“I made it clear when I was in Delhi that time is short, that no day can be wasted.

“We will implement the Technical Review Panel as detailed, and urge the organising committee to embrace the use of Games experts to fast track systems required for the Games operation.

“The hiring and use of foreign expertise is standard practice for major Games such as occurred in Beijing and as is occurring in Vancouver for the Winter Olympic Games.”

“This is now considered best-practice with organising committees of major international multi-sport events.

“The goal is to conduct a Commonwealth Games that India can be proud of, setting itself up for other Games in the future, so as to take advantage of its new sporting infrastructure.

“That goal also remains the CGF’s total focus, and Mr Hooper is charged with working in partnership with the Organising Committee and other stakeholders towards achieving this. I note Mr. Hooper has reaffirmed this position and I thank him for his commitment to the success of the Games.

Source: The GWG

The New Delhi Commonwealth Games organisers assured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday they would efficiently stage next year’s event following heavy criticism of their functioning.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell last week slammed the organising committee over the slow pace of work for the games, scheduled from Oct. 3-14 next year.

Fennell has sought an urgent meeting with Singh during the CGF general assembly in New Delhi from Oct. 6-13 to directly report the issues involved.

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New Delhi Commonwealth Games organisers promised on Wednesday to respond to heavy criticism and deliver a world class event next year.

“We are happy with all the wake-up calls we get,” organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi told a packed news conference, as he sought to allay concerns the Oct. 3-14, 2010 event was doomed to failure because of poor preparation.

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Motorised rickshaw drivers in the Indian capital will be trained to be courteous and articulate by the country’s tourism ministry ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games, according to a newspaper report on Wednesday.

New Delhi is preparing to host more than 100,000 foreign visitors during the Oct. 3-14 event and the city is hoping to use the international gathering to show itself off as a major global destination.

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