India on Thursday clinched the right to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The members of the bid committee met in Montego Bay (Jamaica) on Thursday evening to choose between New Delhi and Hamilton, Canada.

Mike Fennell, chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said New Delhi's candidacy was approved in a secret ballot in which it got 46 votes to Hamilton's 22.

The Commonwealth consists of 72 countries. India will be only the second Asian country after Malaysia (1998) to host the Games.

As for the factors that weighed in India's favour, Kalmadi said, "Our government has given financial assistance that Canada cannot match. Besides, hosting the Afro-Asian Games at short notice has definitely helped us to get the support of African nations."