COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010 (CWG)
· India switched on its spotlights on 3rd October 2010 to display its new vibrant, energetic and progressive avatar providing its guests from the Commonwealth nations a glimpse of its art and culture at the opening ceremony of the 19th CWG at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The main attraction of the opening and closing ceremony was an aerostat, the huge helium balloon, unmatched in the history of such ceremonies. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the chief guest of the closing ceremony on 14th October.
· Currently there are 54 members of the Commonwealth of Nations and 71 teams participated in the 19th CWG. The Four House Nations of the UK-England , Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland- send separate teams to the CWG, and individual teams were also send from the British Crown dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man (unlike at the Olympic Games where the combined “Great Britain” tem represents all four home nations and the Crown dependencies). Many of the British Overseas territories also send their own teams. The Australian external territory of Norfolk Island also send its own team, as do the Cook Island and Niue, two states in three association with New Zealand.
· The Moscot of the 19th CWG was “Shera”.
· The Commonwealth games federation barred Fiji from participation in 2010 games after the island country’s membership was suspended by the Commonwealth of Nations.
· CWG Organisation Committee Chairman- Suresh Kalmadi
· President of the CWG Federation- Michael Fennell.
| COMMONWEALTH GAMES (CWG) |
| · It is the worlds and largest multi discipline sporting event after the Olympic Games. · The Commonwealth Games began from 1930 as Britain Empire Games in Hamilton 1954 and further renamed as Commonwealth Games in 1978. Members of the Commonwealth of Nations come together to participate in the CWGs. It takes place once every four years since 1930, with just two interruption in 1942 and 1946 during WW II · The Games are overseen by Commonwealth Games Federation, which also controls the sporting event and selects the host cities. · It was 19th CWG, successfully organized by India, second time in Asia after Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia, 16th CWG in 1998). The 20th CWG will be hosted by Glasgow, Scotland in 2014. · At the 18th CWG at Melbourne, 2006, Indian shooter Samresh Jung won the “ David Dixon Award” as he meet’s outstanding performer , with seven medals in total –five gold, one sliver and one bronze, and three Games records to boot. · Australia is the highest medal winner in CWGs (1960), followed by England (1692) and Canada (1314) respectively. · India won its highest gold as well as total medals in 19th CWG, New Delhi. It won total 102 medals out of them 52 were gold medals. · India not participated in CWGs in 1st 91930), 4th (1950), 7th (1962) and 13th (1986) · Only six times have attended every Commonwealth Games : Australia, Canada ,England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. Australia has been highest achieving team for eleven games, England for seven and Canada for one. · From 1930 until 1950, the parade of nations was led by a single flag bearer carrying the Union Flag . Since 1958, the Queen’s Baton Relay has taken place, in which athletes carry a baton from Buckingham Palace to the game’s opening ceremony. This baton has within it Queen Elizabeth has within it Queen Elizabeth II’s message of greeting to the athletes. The baton’s final bearer is usually a famous sporting personage of the host nation. All other nations march in English alphabetical order, except that the first nation marching in the parade of Athletes are the host nation of the previous games, and the host nation of the current games marches last. In 2006 countries marched in alphabetical order n geographical regions. · Three national flags fly from the stadium on the poles that are used for medal ceremonies: previous host nation, Current host nation, Next host nation. The military is more active in the Opening ceremony than in the Olympic Games. This is to honour the British Military traditions of the Old Empire. |
India Made History
· 19 year old Ashish Kumar made history by winning the men’s floor exercise gymnastic bronze medal in CWG. India had never won a medal in an event of such magnitude, later he won a silver medal in gymnastic.
· Kavita Raut won the bronze in the 10000m, becoming the 1st Indian women to win a track medal in the CWG history.
· Discus thrower Krishna Poonia made history by becoming the 1st Indian women gold medalist in CWG athletics. She also become the second from the India to win an athletics gold after track legend Milkha Singh’s glory days in 1958 at Cardiff, Wales.
· India made history in the CWGs by clinching a gold medal in 4x400 meters relay by a women’s team led by Madanjeet kaur. It was first-ever relay title for the country.
· G. Jwala and Ashwini Ponappa made history by winning India’s first ever badminton women’s doubles gold in the CWG.
· In this CWG India eventually more than doubled its medal tally of the previous Games, in Melbourne, by taking 101 gold medals including 38 gold medals, India took the second place in the medals table for the first time, edging past England.
· India ended its gold medal drought in athletis since 1958 through women discus thrower Krishna Poonia bonus in the form of the Women’s 1600m (4x400) relay team.
· Rifle ace Gagan Narang was the hero as he won his four golds with record scores, followed by shooter Omkar Singh (3 gold Medals).
· Out of the 38 gold medals, 14 come from Archery, followed by wrestling (12). Archery and Wrestling were also two sports from which India got highest medals- 30 and 19 respectively.
16th Asian Games
· The 16th Asian Games was held at Guangzhou, China on November 2010. This is the first ever edition of the Games which features cricket (Twenty20 Format) as an event. India which has in the past led the Olympic campaign for cricket was the only Asian nations that did not send a cricket team.
· President of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)- Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al Sabah .
16th Asian Games and India
· Virdhawal Khade declared that he was a star swimmer in the making as he won the bronze medal in the 50m butterfly event. He brought a medal in swimming after a gap of 24 years in the Asian Games, after Khazan Singh had won the last swimming medal for India, sliver in the 200m butterfly at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. The only gold for Indian swimming had come through Sachin Nag in the inaugural edition of the Asian Games in Delhi in 1951, in 100m freestyle.
· Gymnast Ashish Kumar opened a new chapter for India by clinching the country’s first ever gymnastic medal, a bronze in the Asian Games when he stood third in the men’s floor exercise routine.
· Bajrang Lal clinches first ever gold for India in rowing in the Asian Games.
· Somdev Devvarman created history by clinching first ever gold medal in men’s single tennis event in the Asian Games.
· Joseph Abraham’s gold medal in 400m men’s event was the first-ever gold medal for India in the men’s event in the Asian Games and A.C. Ashwini’s gold medal in 400m women’s event was the first after P.T.Usha’s triumph in Seoul in 1986 in the Women’s event.
| HOCKEY |
Ø Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament 2011
Australia lifted the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament 2011 when they defeated a spirited Pakistan by 3-2 thanks to Golden Goal by Ciriello in the first half of the extra time.
Ø Women's Hockey World Cup 2010
Hosts Argentina has won the Women's Hockey World Cup 2010 defeating the Netherlands in the finals. 2 early goals put the Dutch on the backfoot, who then trailed throughout the entire game. Argentina finished with an all win record in the tournament, the only team to do so, thus deserving the coveted trophy.
In the match involving both the losing semi-finalists, England got the better of Germany 2-0 to take third place. In the playoffs for positions, Australia, New Zealand, India and Japan won their games to finish off the tournament on a winning note.
Ø HOCKEY WORLD CUP, 2010 WINNER-AUSTRALIA
Australia proved that they are the number one team in hockey by winning the ‘World Cup, 2010′. They defeated two-time defending champion Germany with the score 2-1 in the final of the ‘World Cup’ hockey on Saturday. Thus the Australians overshadowed the dream of Germany to become the first team in history to bag a hat-trick of World Cup title. This victory was Australia’s first victory after their 24- year world cup victory. Australia’s first world cup victory was in the year 1986 against England. In addition, Australia was beaten by Germany in the previous two World Cup finals in 2002 and 2006.
| FOOTBALL |
Ø 2010 FIFA World cup
World cup 2010 has been concluded, and the Spain has won it for the first time. World cup 2010 is full of surprises, emotions and what not! Finally it’s the Spanish team who managed to pull off a splendid win against Dutch the last night to win 2010 world cup!
2010 world cup winner Spain truly deserved the world championship. At the same, teams like Netherlands, Germany and Uruguay have played equally well.
2010 FIFA World cup winner
Spain
2010 FIFA World cup Golden Ball
Diego Forlan, Uruguay
2010 FIFA World cup Silver Ball
Wesley Sneijder, Holland
2010 FIFA World cup Bronze Ball
David Villa, Spain
2010 World cup Golden Boot
Thomas Mueller, Germany (5 goals, 3 assists)
2010 World cup Silver Boot
David Villa, Spain (5 goals, 1 assist)
2010 FIFA World cup Bronze Boot
Wesley Sneijder, Holland (5 goals, 1 assist)
World cup 2010 Golden Glove
Iker Casillas, Spain
2010 FIFA World cup Best Young Player
Thomas Mueller, Germany
FIFA Fair Play Award
Spain
Ø MESSI GETS THE FIFA BALLON D’OR
Lionel Messi’s mesmerizing performance for Barcelona outweighed a disappointing World Cup, ensuring the Argentina forward was named the World’s best player of the 2010 by FIFA’s Ballon d’Or. Messi won the FIFA award for a second straight year. The award was renamed this year after FIFA merged its World Player Award with the Ballon d’Or trophy, which had presented to the best player in the Europe by France football magazine since 1956. Brazilian forward Marta won the same award as the women’s player of the year 2010.
| TENNIS |
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Ø Australian Open 2011Men’s Championship – Changing of The GuardNovak Djokovic (Serbia) defeated Andy Murray (Great Britain) by 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 Novak Djokovic Wins Australian Open 2011 Men's Title While fans rightfully expected the tour’s two most proven stars, top seed Rafael Nadal and second seed Roger Federer, a sixteen time winner at Grand Slams, to meet in the finals, neither player survived. Nadal lost to countryman David Ferrer in the quarters and the Swiss was defeated by the champion in the semifinals. When Murray toppled Ferrer, the stage was set for two of the games next tier contenders to show their stuff. Novak Djokovic turned in a thoroughly convincing triumph over his long time rival. With the convincing 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win, Djoko earned his second Grand Slam title backing up his 2008 trophy at Melbourne. Even more impressive was Djokovic’s maturing. He played confidently with emotions in check throughout the tourney. This will not be the Serb’s only triumph this year and his performance raised questions about the rankings. Winning the Australian Open without a set lost is quite an accomplishment that will raise eyes o9f all fans. Women Championship – Clijsters Comes All the Way BackKim Clijsters Wins Australian Open 2011 Women's Title by defeating China's Na Li Men’s Doubles – Rock Solid Bryans Raise the TrophyBob Bryan and Mike Bryan ( U.S.) defeated Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes (India) by 6-3, 6-4 Women’s Doubles – Veterans Outduel Young GunsGisela Dulko (Argentina) and Flavia Pennetta (Italy) defeated Maria Kirilenko and Victoria Azarenka by 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 Mixed Doubles – Nestor and Srebotnik PrevailDaniel Nestor (Canada) and Katarina Srebotnik (Slovenia) defeated Chan Yung-Jan (Taiwan) and Paul Hanley (Australia) by 3-6, 6-3, (10-7)
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| Ø French Open 2011 Men’s Singles – Rafael NadalRafael Nadal of Spain defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland 7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-1 to lift the French Open 2011 Men’s trophy. Women’s Singles – Li NaChinese Li Na defeated Italian Fransesca Scevone by 6-4, 7-6 (0) to win the Women’s title at French Open 2011. Men’s Doubles - Max Mirnyl and Daniel NestorMax Mirnyi (Belarus) and Daniel Nestor (Canada) defeated Juan Sebastian Cabal and Eduardo Schwank by 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4 to win their first doubles title. Women’s Doubles - Andrea Hlavachova and Lucie HradeckiAndrea Hlavachova and Lucie Hradecki of Czech Republic defeated Indian hottie Sania Mirza and Russian Elena Vesnina by 6-4, 6-3 to win their first grand slam title. Mixed Doubles - Casey Dellacqua & Scott Lipsky
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| Ø WIMBLEDON Open 2011
The Men – Novak DjokovicNovak Djokovic (SRB) Defeated Rafael Nadal (ESP) by 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 The Women – Petra KvitovaPetra Kvitova (CZE) defeated Maria Sharapova (RUS) by 63, 6-4 Men’s Double – Bryan BrothersBob Bryan & Mike Bryan (USA) defeated Robert Lindstedt (SWE) & Horia Tecau (ROU) by 6-3, 6-4, and 7-6 (7-2) Women’s Double – Peschke and SrebotnikKveta Peschke (CZE) & Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) defeated Sabine Lisicki (GER) & Samantha Stosur (AUS) by 6-3, 6-1. Mix Doubles – Melzer and BenesovaJurgen Melzer (AUT) & Iveta Benesova (CZE) defeated Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) & Elena Vesnina (RUS) by 6-3, 6-2
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| Corruption in Indian Sport: Can the Lok Pal Bill provide a Solution? |
| his post analyses the effect of the Lok Pal Bill when it comes into force on corruption in sports administration bodies. The Commonwealth Games scam and the millions lost as a result of the wide scale corruption in it was one of the main trigger points behind the Lok Pal bill revival recently. There are many more skeletons in the cupboards of administrative bodies such as the Indian Athletics Federation, Indian Hockey Federation etc and it seems that the Indian sporting scene is riddled with financial scams and mismanagement. For a list of scams to have hit the Indian sporting scene recently please refer to the timeline at the end of the post. The Lok Pal Bill The Lokpal Bill intends to curb corruption in the country by providing effective and independent anti corruption and grievance redressal systems, the Lokpal at the Centre and the Lokayukta at the state level. These are intended to be independent bodies that seek to investigate corruption within a limited period of time. The Bill is particularly aimed at eradicating corruption from the higher echelons of the government It recently came into prominence as a result of a powerful campaign against corruption started by Anna Hazare to pressurise the Indian Government into introducing the Lokpal Bill in Parliament. Since then a joint drafting committee has been formed and June 30th has been set as the timeline for finalising the draft. As mentioned earlier the Commonwealth Games Scandal was one of the trigger points behind the recent revival of the Lok Pal Bill. Recent Sporting Scams Suresh Kalmadi, the head of the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games and an MP from Pune has been charged by the CBI for the massive financial irregularities involved in awarding contracts for the Commonwealth Games and a while go Lalit Modi the founder and former chief of IPL, several ministers and former ministers were embroiled in an IPL scam involving financial misappropriation, murky deals involving team auctions, money laundering and large scale tax evasion. Given the massive corruption and the millions involved in these scams it becomes imperative for us to look at the effect the Lok Pal Bill will have on curbing corruption in Indian sports administration. For my analysis I have looked at the recent draft version 2.2 of the Jan Lok Pal Bill. It can be found here Analysis of the Jan Lok Pal Bill vis a vis Sports Administrative Bodies The Bill empowers the Lokpal to receive complaints from any person concerning any allegations of misconduct by a government servant or acts punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act among others. (S.8 and S.15 (2)). A complaint is not always necessity, the Lok Pal has been empowered to take suo motu action if any act of corruption comes to its notice. Since Suresh Kalmadi has already been charged under S.13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (PCA) for criminal misconduct bringing him under the ambit of the Jan Lok Pal Bill under S.8 will not be difficult. However it maybe more difficult in Lalit Modi’s case since he doesn’t fall within the definition of public servant under the PCA nor does he satisfy any of the other criteria under the Jan Lok Pal Bill to be brought within its ambit. The BCCI is essentially an autonomous body which is not under state control therefore the Jan Lok Pal Bill will not be able to tackle corruption by BCCI officials. (The view that BCCI is not state within Article 12 of the Indian Constitution has been upheld by the Supreme Court in Zee Telefilms v. Union of India (2005) 4 SCC 649) Powers of Lok Pal After it has been established that the individual against whom corruption charges have been levied is covered by the Jan Lok Pal Bill, the Lok Pal will have the power to carry out further enquires and investigations after which it may either 1. Close the case, if prima facie complaint is not made out
The Lok Pal has also been granted wide ranging powers to search and seize any premises or property in connection with the act of corruption. A warrant issued by the Lok Pal shall be deemed to be a warrant issued by a court. Further for the purposes of any such investigation the Lokpal shall be deemed to have all the powers of a civil court. If the orders of the Lok Pal are not complied fines may be imposed on the officials responsible for non compliance of orders. Time Limit A time limit for completion of preliminary enquiries has been laid down which has been prescribed as a minimum as one month from the receipt of any complaint and up till a maximum of three months. (S.18 (i) (b)) Can Suresh Kalmadi be held accountable under the Jan Lok Pal Bill? One hitch however maybe presented by S. 17(2) which states that the Lok Pal shall not conduct any investigation in case of a complaint if the substance of the entire grievance is pending before any court or quasi judicial body. Currently Suresh Kalmadi is under trial in Delhi on charges of corruption, so even once the Jan Lok Pal Bill comes into existence the Lok Pal will in all probability not have the authority to undertake investigation given this bar. It may apply only to future cases of corruption by sports administrative bodies. This seems to be one of the grey areas and it will be interesting to see whether Kalmadi will actually be tried post the enactment of the Jan Lok Pal Bill. RTI and Lok Pal One of the best measures of the Lok Pal Bill is that all documents relating to the cases shall be treated as public and all material connected with closed cases will be provided to anyone seeking it under Right to Information Act (RTI). (S.18 (i) (a)) In fact all information including information pertaining to the stage of investigation would be available to anyone under the RTI Act. (S.18 (i) (c)). Punishment The maximum punishment for corrupt officials has also been prescribed. Sports administrators like Suresh Kalmadi may face terms extending to life imprisonment. A proviso adds that higher the rank of the accused the higher the punishment he is likely to face. Final Thoughts It is evident that the Jan Lok Pal Bill in its present form will be able to deal effectively with corrupt sports administrators. However there are certain drawbacks too. The BCCI which handles millions will not be accountable for their activities under this Act and given that Suresh Kalmadi is currently undergoing trial for his role in the Commonwealth Scam it may not be possible to bring him within the purview of the Jan Lok Pal Bill. At best the Bill will serve to nab corrupt sports officials in the future. As things stand now it can be argued that sports federations other than the BCCI can be covered within the ambit of the Lok Pal Bill since they are national or state federations recognized by the government and all sports federations in India are recognized as public authorities and come within the ambit of the RTI Act. However this is still an uncertain area given the fact that these sports federations haven’t been constituted under any statutory enactment and are autonomous in nature. With the passing of the National Sports Development Bill the government’s control over the sports federations will only increase which would essentially mean greater scrutiny power by the Lok Pal since the bill essentially aims at curbing corruption in government affiliated bodies. Timeline of Recent Indian Sporting Scams 2008: Bribery Scandal hits Indian Hockey 2010: Financial Irregularities found in IPL 2010: Commonwealth Games Scandal 2011: National Games in Jharkhand under the scanner for financial misappropriation
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