Continuing his tirade against the just-concluded Commonwealth Games, former Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said India should have focused on improving the plight of its poor instead of spending thousands of crores on the event which only "denigrated" its image.
Eight gold medals are up for grabs on Monday, the first day of the Delhi Commonwealth Games, with swimming offering five, weightlifting two and gymnastics one. The first gold medal will be decided in the weightlifting women event in 48kg category, scheduled to begin at 1400 IST.
New Zealand Federation of Athletes chief Rob Nichol said that 'hand on heart' he cannot say whether his country would send a team to the Commonwealth Games.
"We are concerned that next month's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi will be an appealing target for Lashkar-e-Tayiba due to their political and economic significance for India," said Michael Leiter, the Director of the US National Counter-terrorism Centre.
IOA president Suresh Kalmadi said India's bid is fully backed by Pakistan, Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries.
In a sparkling show, Sudha Singh fetched India's second gold medal in track and field events and fifth overall by winning the 3000m Steeplechase event with her personal-best timing in Guangzhou on Sunday.
Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly on Saturday unanimously passed a resolution commending the efforts of the Organising Committee (OC) of 2010 Commonwealth Games to get things ready for the grand celebrations of sport beginning in Delhi on Sunday.
Nitu (48kg) and Jasmine (60kg) were the others boxers who sealed spots for the quadrennial event, in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8.
Scheduling of the big events such as Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in quick succession may have a bearing on the form of India's top shooters, according to national shooting coach Sunny Thomas.
Embattled Commonwealth Games officials conceded a "major communication blunder" was to blame for Thursday's athletics farce as they continue to grapple with snags at the halfway point of the Delhi event on Friday.
The Indian Olympic Association presented cash rewards worth Rs 20 lakh, 10 lakh, and 7.5 lakh to the gold, silver and bronze medallists respectively.
India finished second in the final pecking order, with more than 100 medals, as the curtain came down on the Commonwealth Games, on Thursday. A look at the some statistics from the Games.
India's swimmer Srihari Nataraj clocked 54.68s to qualify for the semi-finals of the men's 100m backstroke event of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Friday.
The exclusive pictures captured by rediff.com tell the story about how work is being done in haste.
A dazzling laser show and a musical extravaganza on Thursday marked the finale of the Commonwealth Games, the biggest sporting event hosted by India which crowned itself with sporting glory by winning an unprecedented 101 medals.
India face competition from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, who are positioning themselves as strong contenders to host the 2036 Olympics.
National pistol coach Jung faces eviction from home within hours of returning from Olympics
President Pratibha Patil, not Prince Charles, will officially declare the Commonwealth Games open in Delhi on Sunday. This is the first time the royal family has been denied the traditional honour, the Daily Mail claimed.
Ace shooter Gagan Narang, who won four gold medals at last month's Commonwealth Games, will be India's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China on November 12, Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi said in New Delhi on Tuesday.
According to the organising committee of the Commonwealth Games, orders have been placed with Tata Motors for nearly 1,800 cars during the games and some more cars, jeeps and trucks for the Queen Baton Relay that would commence its nationwide run from June 25.
Senior officials in the government have been pointing out that while cases are reducing, people should not get complacent.
Ontario says it will introduce football for the first time if its bid for the event is successful.
Sahim Salim finds that poor slum dwellers are paying the price for a government's dream of giving the world the 'best Commonwealth Games'
Sports Minister Jitendra Singh was far from impressed as he took stock of India's preparations for next year's Commonwealth and Asian Games in a meeting with SAI officials here and expressed dissatisfaction with the progress made so far.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to host the Olympic Games in 2036.
Sports anchor Mayanti Langer is a familiar face on television, having hosted a series of sports events over the last five years. But the Commonwealth Games has given her instant recognition. Senior Associate Editor Harish Kotian learns how the Delhi extravaganza has changed her life.
Embattled Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Sunday hit back at the Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, saying her aspersions on corruption in the OC were 'most disappointing and uncalled for' and that she must indulge in self-reflection on corruption in her own departments.
The host for the 2010 Games will be named on November 13 in Jamaica.
Chairman of the Commonwealth Organising Committee and pPresident of the Indian Olympic Association Suresh Kalmadi on Monday claimed credit for a spectacular three-hour opening ceremony.
Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Thursday said he is happy with the progress made in the Games Village as it got ready to welcome the first of the 7000 athletes and team officials who will reside there during the mega-event.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram set apart Rs 45.50 crore for its preparations.
Given the financial support and the makeover that Delhi is getting for the Commonwealth Games, Delhiites should not crib about some hike in tax, says T N Ninan.
With Monday's sensational gold, Sharath has taken his overall medal tally to 13 at the CWG, since making his Games debut in 2006.
The stadium hosted the 'Dil-Luminati' concert on Saturday and Sunday and drew nearly 40,000 fans each night.
Dismissing reports that England is all set to pull out of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, officials in London insisted that there is no such move and a team will definitely travel to India for the mega event.
Days after announcing her decision to return her Khel Ratna and Arjuna award to the Prime Minister, star wrestler Vinesh Phogat left her awards on the pavement of the Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
Tejaswin Shankar opened Indian athletics team's medal account with a bronze in the men's high jump event in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Wednesday.
The Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) said Sunday's tourist shooting in New Delhi will not change its Commonwealth Games plans. New Zealand's Prime Minister, meanwhile, remained confident of his country's participation in next month's multi-sport event.
Abhinav Bindra on Thursday paid glowing tributes to wrestler Vinesh Phogat
Taking serious note of the payment dispute between some Australian firms and organisers of the Delhi Commonwealth Games, the Sports Ministry has ordered the latter to settle the issue within ten days. Ajay Maken, the new sports minister, instructed the sports secretary to get in touch with the government officials in the Commonwealth Organising Committee and clear all legitimate payments after proper verification.
