The 19th Commonwealth Games got off to a spectacular start on Sunday evening in New Delhi with the glittering opening ceremony showcasing Indian culture through music and dance by thousands of participants.
The controversies surrounding the CWG was set aside as over 60,000 cheering spectators filled the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which was virtually glowing in colourful and strobe lights, with a spaceship-like balloon hanging over the venue.
The Games was inaugurated by Prince Charles and President Pratibha Patil. Prince Charles read out the message from the Queen and expressed his happiness to be able to attend the Games.
The 19th Commonwealth Games got off to a spectacular start on Sunday evening in New Delhi with the glittering opening ceremony showcasing Indian culture through music and dance by thousands of participants.
The controversies surrounding the CWG was set aside as over 60,000 cheering spectators filled the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which was virtually glowing in colourful and strobe lights, with a spaceship-like balloon hanging over the venue.
The Games was inaugurated by Prince Charles and President Pratibha Patil. Prince Charles read out the message from the Queen and expressed his happiness to be able to attend the Games.
Under that formula of the London Declaration, Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the Commonwealth, a title that is currently individually shared with that of Commonwealth realms.Motto HUMANITY – EQUALITY – DESTINY Headquarters London, United Kingdom Commonwealth Secretariat Hon. Michael Fennell OJ, CD Website Commonwealth Games Federation
A sporting competition bringing together the members of the British Empire was first proposed by the Reverend Astley Cooper in 1891 when he wrote an article in The Times suggesting a "Pan-Britannic-Pan-Anglican Contest and Festival every four years as a means of increasing the goodwill and good understanding of the British Empire
In 1911, the Festival of the Empire was held in come London to celebrate the coronation of KingGeorge V. As part of the festival an Inter-Empire Championships was held in which teams from Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom competed in events such as boxing, wrestling, swimming and athletics.
Countries which have hosted, or plan to host, the event Other countries which enter the games
Countries which have entered the games but no longer do so• Host cities and year of games
In 1911, the Festival of the Empire was held in come London to celebrate the coronation of KingGeorge V. As part of the festival an Inter-Empire Championships was held in which teams from Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom competed in events such as boxing, wrestling, swimming and athletics.
In 1928, Melville Marks Robinson of Canada was asked to organise the first ever British Empire Games. These were held in Hamilton, Canada two years later.
The first Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The name changed to British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954, to British Commonwealth Games in 1970 and assumed the current name of the Commonwealth Games in 1978.
At the 1930 games, women competed in the swimming events only.From 1934, women also competed in some athletics events.
So now all are looking forward to the 19th time the games are held in New Delhi.
