New Delhi: For the first time, India is set to host the international Abilympics, described as the Olympics of abilities of persons with disabilities.

The Prime Minister is slated to inaugurate the five-day event on Monday. More than 1,500 participants from over 30 countries are expected here by then. There will be about 44 vocational, leisure and skill contests besides special events for children.

A staunch supporter at the privileged end of the spectrum is the popular film actor of yesteryears, Shashi Kapoor. On Friday at a news conference designed to publicise the event, he spelt out what he has learnt over the years - we are all the same. The disabled do not need sympathy but opportunity.

The task is a vast one. Estimates indicate that between five and seven per cent people in the country suffer some form of disability. And, the organisers hope to build on the Abilympics to move further on a long, hard road and create opportunities for the disabled, beginning with the freedom of movement.

A fringe benefit of the Abilympics is being seen in hotels, too, said Tuli. Hotels are beginning to realise what needs to be done - from barrier-free toilets and ramps to audio signals in lifts. There are similar changes at the venue of the Abilympics, the Indira Gandhi indoor stadium.

Courtesy: The Times of India, November 22, 2003

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If Asiad '82 transformed Delhi from an overgrown village to a fledgling megalopolis, the 2010 Commonwealth Games could catapult it into the international league.

Those who feel that hosting such extravaganzas is a waste of time and money for a developing country like India are only being shortsighted; the spin-offs from such a venture are immense both in monetary terms and in terms of international goodwill. Flyovers and five-star hotels were introduced for the first time during the Asiad and both have contributed to the blossoming of a cosmopolitan culture in the city. With the Centre offering to underwrite the entire cost, projected now at $422 million, the Capital's infrastructure should get a huge boost: spanking new roads, metro link to the Commonwealth sports complex, more stadium and housing for athletes.

The construction work will generate employment much in the way the Olympics did for the stagnant job market in Sydney in 2000.. The Commonwealth Games will draw in thousands of fans from within India and from all over the world, bringing in a healthy infusion of funds. Indeed, the games will be the perfect setting to showcase 'Incredible India' if all goes off smoothly. The sports facilities which will be modernised or constructed for the games can be put to good use to host smaller meets. The great stadia built during the Asiad have been used to nurture the talents of star sportspersons like P T Usha and Shiny Wilson to name a few. All apprehensions that Delhi is unsafe and unprepared to host such mega meets is misplaced. Past experience shows that willy-nilly a feel of togetherness and pride is generated during such international events and this ensures that there are few slips.

Courtesy: The Times of India, November 22, 2003

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Sports officials hailed New Delhi 's successful bid to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games as a victory for the Commonwealth movement. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) opted for New Delhi by an overwhelming 46-22 margin over its only rival, the Canadian City of Hamilton. "People in CGF realised there had been injustice with India and the big margin is a testimony of that," he said. "Fifty per cent of the Commonwealth stays in India," he said. New Delhi had failed in its bid to host the 1994 edition which went to Victoria, Canada but had argued this time that the Games should be taken out of Britain, Australia and Canada which have hosted most of them since they were launched in 1930.

Courtesy: The Economic Times, November 14, 2003

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Making it a grand French double, India's Viswanathan Anand on Tuesday won the Corsica Open Rapid title at Bastia, France.In a tense final, Anand defeated Bulgarian Grandmaster Veselin Topalov by a 4-2 margin, according to information reaching here.Anand drew the four rapid games and defeated the Bulgarian in both the blitz games to clinch the title. For Anand this victory is a four-in-a-row in Bastia and he takes the winner's cheque of Euros 20000. Topalov settles for the runner-up spot which carries the prize money of Euros 12000.On way to the title Anand defeated GMs Miso Cebalo, Joel Lautier and Alexander Grischuk all by margins of 1.5-0.5, before conquering Topalov in the final.Anand had last week claimed world rapid chess title at Cap D'Agde, France, where he defeated world No.2 Vladimir Kramnik. His other wins this year include titles at Wijk Aan Zee, Melody Amber in France and Chess Classic Mainz in Germany.

Courtesy: www.hindustantimes.com, November 05, 2003

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Missing the bronze medal at the Champions Trophy and the car crash that rendered that brilliant striker, Jugraj Singh, hors de combat were the two major blots in an otherwise memorable year for Indian hockey. Rewarding in more than one sense, what needs to be acknowledged is the all round approbation by the international community, which notes with satisfaction the unmistakable signs of resurgence. The sixth spot in the first ever official World rankings by the International Hockey Federation, behind the two other Asian countries, Korea and Pakistan, however, should remind everyone that the road to the summit is long and arduous. India met Pakistan twice in the twin four-nation tournaments at Perth and Sydney, twice in the Champions Trophy at Amstelveen, in the Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur and in the recent Afro-Asian Games, winning five, losing two and drawing one. India probably is the only team now in contemporary hockey that does not overtly depend on specialists for conversion in penalty corners. Gagan Ajit Singh, Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh and Sandeep Micheal strike spectacular goals leaving drag flickers as mere reserves. Without Sohail Abbas, Pakistan looked powerless. As the former Dutch coach, who is currently handling Spain as a powerful rising force, Maurits Hendriks, observed not long ago, India is the most balanced in all departments and has an excellent blend of youth and experience.

Courtesy: The Hindu, November 04, 2003