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Wave your flag, Village in full swing
As more athletes flew in on Monday, the Games Village witnessed another flurry of activities, with top delegates out to rectify every possible problem. From flag-hoisting and dances to athletes practicing, the Village brimmed with life throughout a sunny day.
As more athletes flew in on Monday, the Games Village witnessed another flurry of activities, with top delegates out to rectify every possible problem. From flag-hoisting and dances to athletes practicing, the Village brimmed with life throughout a sunny day.
Similar to an everyday routine, OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi organised a high-level meeting with CGF president Mike Fennell, OC CEO Jarnail Singh and senior Delhi Government officials. Kalmadi later said, "The athletes who have arrived here are happy with the arrangements. 80 per cent of the flats are fine and everything will be sorted out before the Games start."
The 33-member contingent of the Norfolk Islands became the first group to hoist its flag. With AR Rahman’s signature ‘India bula liya’ playing in the background, the ceremony was filled with bhangra and school children dancing to Bollywood numbers. Later in the evening, the Scotland delegation hoisted its national flag, with participants from athletics, archery, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, lawn bowls, shooting, squash, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.
With volunteers busying themselves for the arrival of the Pakistan contingent, it was a tad disappointing as only the High Commissioner Shahid Malik paid a visit. After meeting OC officials, he said, “A lot needs to be done. Our concern is that when our athletes come they should be comfortable.”
Meanwhile, India’s 20-member swimming contingent also moved into their quarters on Monday afternoon. Even though they had arrived here on Sep 19, they were lodged in a hotel in Karol Bagh until Sunday due to the unfinished state of their tower 30. As a busy games room in the International Zone filled up with athletes from Scotland and Malyasia, Virdhawal Khade and Anshul Kothari engaged themselves at the pool table. The 50m pool here is not ready yet. “It’s unfinished and has no water. So we can only use the recreational pool, and obviously we can’t work out there. We had a bit of fun and frolic in the pool today,” Khade said.
