Goof-ups mark CYG baton relay

Errors galore have marked the baton relay of the CYG to be held in Pune with many referring to the Commonwealth Youth Games as the Olympic Games, reports Anupma Tripathi.

Sample this: The emcee kept referring to the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) as the Olympic Games. Not once, but twice. His counterpart also committed the same mistake. If that wasn't enough, chief minister, Sheila Dikshit, opened her speech at Delhi University's sports complex with the lines, “The Capital welcomes the Olympic Youth Games.” President of the Indian Olympic Association and CYG chairman, Suresh Kalmadi, introduced table tennis player Neha Aggarwal as the national swimming champion bound for the Beijing Olympics!

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Errors galore may have marked the baton relay of the CYG to be held at Pune in October, but Neha remarked sportingly, “It's okay, he must have confused me with him.” (swimmer Sandeep Sejwal who was conspicuous by his absence).

The proceedings kicked off with scores of students gathering to witness Rabbi Shergill's performance that preceded the baton relay's flag-off ceremony. Though it failed to enthuse the gathering as did the speeches by Kalmadi, Dikshit and sports minister M.S. Gill.

Their patience at an end, the students began rooting for Euphoria. The rock group took to stage only after the baton was handed over to Dhanraj Pillay.

Despite turning out in numbers, only a few students were aware of the occasion. Gaurav, a student of PGDAV College, said all he knew was that some relay was taking place. "Our sports teacher told us to be here, but now I gather that it is for the Commonwealth Games." He had to be explained the difference between the CYG and Commonwealth Games. By the time the relay concluded at St Stephen's, the searing heat had taken a toll on those present. After passing through colleges in the South Campus on Saturday, the baton will leave for Pune from Gurgaon on Sunday.