Doping shame: Two more athletes fail test

The doping scandal in Indian athletics grew in proportion today with two more athletes, including the country's new golden girl Ashwini Akkunji, testing positive for anabolic steroids hours before the departure for Japan for the Asian Championships.

Apart from Akkunji, quartermiler Priyanka Panwar also returned positive for anabolic steroids in the dope tests conducted on June 27 by National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) at NIS Patiala, taking the tally of dope offenders to eight in the last few days.

The development is all the more shocking as Akkunji, who had won gold in Commonwealth and Asian Games last year, and Panwar were to leave for Japan for July 7-11 Asian Championships by an 11.30pm flight from Delhi along with 35 other athletes.

Athletics Federation of India has provisionally suspended both the athletes pending a hearing by a NADA disciplinary panel.

"It is sad to announce that two more athletes -- Ashwini Akkunji and Priyanka Panwar -- tested positive for anabolic steroids. We have provisionally suspended them. Next, they will be called for 'B' sample tests and then the necessary procedure will be followed," Dogra told reporters.

Akkunji and Panwar were named in the 4x400m relay team for the Asian Championships and Dogra said two other athletes in the 37-member team will take their places.

"We cannot send any replacement of the two athletes now but we will field a relay team in Japan. Two other athletes (besides Tintu Luka and Mrudula Korada) from the team will run in the relay," he said.

Ashwini was a member of the 400m relay quartet that won gold in the Commonwealth Games. She had returned with two gold in the Asian Games, winning the yellow metal in 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay.

Panwar's best international result was the bronze she won in the South Asian Federation Games in Dhaka last year. She had won a bronze in the 100m sprint in the National Games in Ranchi in February. She made it to the relay team after finishing fourth in the National Inter-state meet in Bangalore.

The same methandienone had been found in the samples of other CWG and Asian Games gold-winning relay quartet members Mandeep Kaur and Sini Jose as well another qaurtermiler Jauna Murmu.

Another qaurtermiler Tiana Mary Thomas had tested positive for anabolic steroid epimethandiol.

Long Jumper Hari Krishnan Muralidharan and shot putter Sonia were the other athletes who have tested positive in the last few days.

With the dope flunk of Akkunji, three members of the Indian 4x400m relay quartet that won gold in the Commonwealth and Asian Games last year have tested positive.

Mandeep Kaur and Sini Jose had returned positive for the anabolic substances in the tests conducted by IAAF on May 25 and by NADA during the National Inter-state Meet in Bangalore this month respectively. Only Manjeet Kaur remained out of the dope net.

India's first eco-friendly stadium to be inaugurated soon

The country's first eco-friendly Thyagraja Stadium and one of the most important competition venues for Commonwealth Games in October is ready for inauguration on 2nd April.

This was stated by Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit here at a function where Public Works Department and Indraprasth Gas Limited (IGL) signed a pact for supply of 30,000 square cubic meter (scm) natural gas per day to gas turbines to the venue.

"This is the only stadium for the games which has been constructed right from the scratch to host netball. It has
been constructed as per green building concept," she said.

As per agreement, IGL will supply 30,000 scm of natural gas per day for 3.5 MW gas turbines installed at the stadium, which would be producing power through this on the principle of cogeneration where waste heat from turbine exhaust would be used to run 1300 TR VAM for air-conditioning.

IGL has already laid a pipeline to connect the stadium. The installation of meter and regulating station is almost complete and gas supply is expected to start in the last weekof March.

Dikshit said power generated will be more than enough for consumption of lights and air-conditioning of 1300 tones for
stadium without any additional cost.

Petroleum minister Jitin Prasada assured Delhi of more CNG supply for functional stations and other industrial use.

The IGL is meeting fuel requirements of nearly 3.5 lac vehicles running on CNG in NCR.

Cricket-loving Rwanda becomes 54th member of the Commonwealth

Rwanda became the 54th member of the Commonwealth yesterday and the second nation to join that was not once part of the British Empire.

The Commonwealth summit approved Rwanda’s entry at its two-yearly gathering in Trinidad and Tobago. Britain pushed hard for the admission of the former Francophone country.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “Rwanda has made progress towards the Commonwealth’s core values in areas of democratic process, rule of law, good governance, protection of human rights and equality of opportunity.”

After gaining independence in 1962, the French-speaking Rwanda formed close ties with France. But after the 1994 genocide, when France was accused of supporting the Government that was blamed for the deaths of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and Hutus, the country turned to Britain and severed diplomatic ties with France.

The current Tutsi-led Government was set up in 1994 with Paul Kagame, the former leader of the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front, as President.

The rebel group was mostly made up of Tutsis, who grew up in English-speaking Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, after their parents had fled earlier pogroms in the country in the 1950s and 1960s.

When these “Tutsi boys” returned to Rwanda with the rebel forces they took not just the English language, now Rwanda’s third official tongue, but also English sports, including cricket — which endeared the country to many Commonwealth nations.

Another 100m sweep - Fraser, Powell land marquee events at Rieti meet

Jamaicans Shelly-Ann Fraser and Asafa Powell won the 100-metre events and headlined a whopping six Caribbean victories at the IAAF Rieti International track and field meeting yesterday.

Olympic and world champion Fraser won the women's race, clocking in 11.18 seconds into a stiff headwind of 2.4 metres per second and Powell encountered minus 1.5 metres per second wind in landing the men's race in 9.99 seconds.

Windy conditions prevailed and slowed times were recorded throughout the meet, which saw in-form Jamaicans Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Dwight Thomas claim victories in the sprint hurdles, while their teammate Kerron Stewart captured the women's 200 metres and Bahamian Leevan Sands landed the men's triple jump title.

Beaten by American Carmelita Jeter at the Brussels Golden League meeting on Friday, Fraser rebounded quickly with a fine front-running victory, coming home well clear of fellow Jamaican Sherone Simpson (11.37).

Strong headwind

Fraser admitted she was hindered by the wind.

"I was not getting the technique properly today. I really felt the headwind," she said.

Powell, on the track where he set his last world record (9.74) in 2007, was also strong as he easily repelled fellow Jamaican Nesta Carter (10.08) to repeat as 100-metre champion here, going under the 10-second barrier for the 57th time in his career.

"It was a very strong wind," Powell said. "When I felt the wind blowing today I was like, 'It's not going to be a fast race'."

No runner in history has more sub-10 clockings than Powell, who admitted after the race that he is motivated to restore his top billing after giving way to phenomenal world-record holder Usain Bolt, his Jamaican teammate.

"To be running these fast times is outstanding. He (Bolt) really needs some strong competition, he's running 9.5, so we need to get there too to put on a good show," Powell said. "Before, I was the man to beat. Now I have someone in front of me, so I really have to push myself."

Powell wouldn't commit to running at next year's Commonwealth Games in India.

"We're not sure about all the plan for next year but I'm always looking forward to run," said Powell, who will now return to his in-season training base in northern Italy to prepare for the season finals in Greece.

Britain's Simeon Williamson was third in 10.18 seconds and Jamaican Michael Frater, a World Championship sprint relay gold medallist - with Powell, Bolt and Steve Mullings last month in Berlin - was fifth in 10.30.

Olympic and World Championship medallist Stewart received a late-race test from Jamaican 400-metre specialist Shericka Williams, but was stronger at the finish for a 22.62 win against a 2.0 mps wind.

Williams (22.69) was just a step behind in second and the Jamaica-born American Debbie Dunn was third in 22.73.

Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands was fifth in 22.98.

Controlled win

Undefeated since her fabulous gold medal success at the Berlin World Championship last month, veteran Foster-Hylton posted a controlled win in the 100-metre hurdles in 12.78 seconds in a Jamaican one-two finish, Nickeisha Wilson chasing her to the line in 12.84 seconds against 2.5 mps wind.

Jamaica's former Commonwealth Games champion Lacena Golding-Clarke was fourth in 13.22.

In the 110-metre hurdles, Thomas clocked 13.36 to win ahead of Commonwealth Games champion Maurice Wignall (13.48) in another Jamaican sweep of the top two spots.

Olympic bronze medallist Sands emerged with the triple jump crown at 16.77 metres, defeating Frenchman David Girat (16.67m). Grenada's Randy Lewis was fifth at 16.53 metres.

The 19-year-old Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade clocked 20.54 seconds for the runner-up spot in the men's 200 behind American Wallace Spearmon (20.27), with Antiguan Pan American Games champion Brendan Christian third in 20.57 seconds.

Recession hits Commonwealth Games

The global economic meltdown has hit the preparation of 2010 Commonwealth Games and Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi said on Tuesday the budget for the mega-event will be increased in view of the financial crisis.

"The budget for the Games will be increased slightly considering the escalating prices of raw material used in construction. The prices of steel and cement are currently high and we have to take that into consideration," Kalmadi said.

"We are building an international standard stadium here and we can't compromise on that," he added.

Kalmadi, however, was concerned about the security arrangement for the Games in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.

"We are very concerned about the security arrangement and we are taking additional steps. We are in talk with the Home ministry and the Lt governor is meeting with experts from Israel. We are procuring all required equipment to ensure 100
per cent safety. We can't afford to lower our guard in these times," he said.

The CWG organising committee chairman, who was on an inspection of the Nehru Stadium, reiterated that the work was on schedule and would be completed by December.

"Work is on track no doubt. We have completed 30 per cent of work, so we are on target. Most of the infrastructure will be ready by December this year, by March 2010 the test events will start and in August we have the Games.

"Work is going on in full swing. The warm up area is getting ready, the sitting area in the stadium will be accommodate 60,000 spectators as the upper tier is also coming
up. Over all, I am very happy with the way things are going," Kalmadi said.

More Medals on Final Day of Athletics

Athletes from the UK finished their Commonwealth Youth Games campaigns with a flourish on Thursday with a further four medals from the track and field.

On the track Shaunna Thompson completed a sprint double with ease as she won the women’s 200m in a Games record of 23.42. The Manchester based athlete was understandably delighted with her second gold of the Games:

“It felt good,” she said after the race. “I could have run faster but it’s the end of the season and I’ve won two gold medals so I don’t care. I’ve just got to keep working now to improve. I felt before the Games that I could win the 200m but never thought I’d get gold in the 100m so after I won the 100m I was confident I could do the double.

"If I’ve learnt one thing from these Games it’s that you’ve really got to focus because there are a lot of distractions and people cheering for other events that are going on at the same time. If you focus it will go alright but if you don’t focus enough it can all go wrong.”

Rachel Stringer took silver for England ahead of Lynsey Sharp who took bronze for Scotland in a competitive 800m final where a Games record of 2.04.23 by South African Mokgadi Caster Semenya took gold.

Stringer (City of Norwich) clocked 2.05.71 to eclipse Sharp (Edinburgh AC) who ran 2.06.77 in third.

Meanwhile, on the field, England’s Shaunagh Brown (Blackheath & Bromley) won bronze in the discus with 42.96m.

Shaunna Thompson captures sprint double

Shaunna Thompson completed a sprint double at the Commonwealth Youth Games in India when she won 200m gold.

The 16-year-old from Manchester, one of British athletics' rising stars, equalled her personal best of 23.42 seconds in a championship record.

Thompson won the 100m title, also in a championship record time, on Tuesday.

"To win two gold medals at these Games has exceeded my expectations and I'm delighted to set another Youth Games record," she said.

"My focus now is the European Juniors next summer."

Thompson previously hit the headlines when she faced a panel of five millionaires on the ITV show 'Fortune: Million Pound Giveaway' and persuaded them to part with £30,000 to aid her training.

Her name was put forward by her teacher, and she battled past hundreds of contenders to land a £6,000-a-year deal until the London Olympics.

Thompson, this year's England Under-17 champion, said the money had been a huge help in covering kit, physiotherapy and travel costs.

Commonwealth Youth Games - Field day for India in track and field, lead medals tally

India continued its winning streak at the 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games here Thursday, leading the medals tally with an outstanding performance in the track and field events.

Indian athletes won six golds, seven silvers and six bronze medals Thursday, taking the country's overall tally to 58, with Australia closely following the hosts with 51 medals.

In the triple jump, both the gold and silver went to India. Maharashtran girl Shradha Ghule clinched the gold with a jump of 13.11 metres while Gayathri Govindhraj took the silver with 12.89 metre jump. Australian Ainsley Ackerman claimed the bronze.

In junior men's high jump, India's Nikhil Chittarasu took the silver clearing a height of 2.09 metres. South Africa's Voigt Willem Wayne took the gold by clearing 2.11 metres while the bronze went to Drouin Derek.

The junior men's javelin event brought India two medals. Krishan Nand Tripathi threw 71.52 metres, a new games record, for the gold while Rohit Kumar managed 67.60 metres for the silver. The bronze went to Australia's John Damon Ulrich with a throw of 65.64 metres.

The junior women's 4X400 metre relay yet again brought laurels for the country when the Indian squad consisting Chinchu Jose, Anu Mariam Jose, Arya Chandrika and Poovamma Raju ran an excellent spell clocking a new games record of 3:42:02. The Canadians and Australians bagged silver and bronze respectively.

In the juniors men's 4X400 metres relay, the Indians again flaunted the yellow metal, with Jithin Paul, Dhrambir, Inderjeet Singh and Parveen Kumar setting a new games record of 3:13:32. South Africa claimed the silver and New Zealand took the bronze.

Shooting and weightlifting fetch India three golds in Commonwealth Youth Games

India opened their account with two golds in shooting and one in weightlifting in the Commonwealth Youth Games here Monday.

Ankush Bhardwaj won gold in men's 50m pistol event with 509 points while Rahi Sarnobat topped the women's 25m pistol event with a score of 748.1 points.

In weightlifting, Diksha Gaikwad won the women's 48 kg event. Shiv Shankar Singh clinched silver in the men's 56 kg category.

Sarnobat, 18-year-old from Kolhapur, was tied in the qualification round with Binti Azahari Alia Sazana of Malaysia at 550 points. But, she improved her tally in the final round with consistent accuracy. Binti won the Silver with 742.9 points whereas Hayley Chapman of Australia won bronze with 729.3 points.

Ankush scored 509 points in the men's 50m pistol event to win gold as his only competitor Murray Middleton of Falkland Islands did not finish his final round. No silver and bronze medals were awarded in this category.

India could have added another medal but Paul Ayonika, who was in contention for bronze in the 10 metre air-rifle event, had to settle for the fourth position (491.7 points).

Singapore's Sudhir Binte Aqilah won the gold with 501.0 points. Silver and bronze went to Monica Fyfe of Canada (496.1 points) and Abdul Hali Nur Ayuni Farhana of Malaysia (492.2 points).

Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 Pune - Sports & Venues

Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 Pune - Sports & Venues

The III Commonwealth Youth Games will be hosted by Pune from 12 to 18 October 2008 at the magnificent Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City, Balewadi. The notable feature of this event is that the competition venues of all sports events and the Athletes Village are located in one single complex.

The sports city is located 12 KM away from Pune railway station and 22 KM from the airport, on the Mumbai- Pune highway. It occupies an area of 153 acres of well laid out sports venues with world class competition and training facilities. An Athletes Village with modern facilities is also located within the venue.

The main Athletics stadium has a seating capacity of 20,000 and will be the venue for the Opening and Closing ceremonies.

The Sports City has 5 indoor (Badminton, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Boxing) and 4 outdoor (Athletics, Tennis, Swimming and Shooting) venues. The Shooting Range including Trap & Skeet will be the best in the country. All the venues are provided with modern electronic scoring and timing equipment. Each venue also caters for a separate practice and warm up area.

The Athletes Village can house 1800 athletes and team officials and is equipped with the most modern facilities to cater to the comfort of the athletes.

In anticipation of large and enthusiastic crowds, adequate parking space of approximately 25 acres is being developed outside the Sports City.

The Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 will include a total of 9 disciplines:
Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting, Wrestling.

The Quaich is a symbol of the Commonwealth Youth Games

The Quaich
The Quaich is a symbol of the Commonwealth Youth Games and was the initiative of the organisers of the inaugural Games in Scotland. Donated by the City of Edinburgh, the silver Quaich is a commemorative symbol to be handed down from host nation to the next host nation.

The Commonwealth Games Quaich is a two-handled silver cup sitting 13cm high and 18cm wide. This small size is typical of Quaichs.


The inscription on The Quaich reads
Inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games Edinburgh
This Quaich was donated by the city of Edinburgh to celebrate
The Commonwealth Youth Games
Scotland commands & entrusts the future of these games in perpetuity


History of The Quaich
A Quaich is a small, shallow, two-handled drinking cup or vessel unique to Scotland. The Quaich has a rich heritage in Scotland, with the earliest written reference dating from 1546. The earliest Quaichs were made from a single piece of wood turned on a lathe. Handles, called "lugs", were sometimes covered with silver. Quaichs are still being made today, mostly as prizes for sporting events or as objects d'art.

The history of The Commonwealth Games

In 1911, the 'Festival of Empire’ was held in London to celebrate the coronation of King George 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.

The first Commonwealth Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Bobby Robinson, a major influence within athletics in Canada at the time, finally implemented the event that had been talked about amongst Commonwealth nations for over thirty years. Eleven countries with 400 athletes in total participated in the first Commonwealth Games. Since then, the Games have been conducted every four years except for 1942 and 1946, due to World War II.

From 1930 to 1950 the Games were known as the British Empire Games, then the British Empire and Commonwealth Games until 1962. From 1966 to 1974 they took on the title of British Commonwealth Games and from 1978 onwards they have been known as simply the Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Youth Games are also known as Friendly Games in the English speaking provinces of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Games 2008 pune

The Queen'sBaton Relay
Similar to the Olympic Torch Relay, is a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. The Baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, currently Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Relay traditionally begins at Buckingham Palace in London as a part of the city's Commonwealth Day festivities. Her Majesty the Queen entrusts the baton to the first relay runner. At the Opening Ceremony of the Games, the final relay runner hands the baton back to her Majesty the Queen or her representative, who reads the message aloud to officially open the Games.

History
The Relay was introduced at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales. Through the 1994 Games, the Relay only went through England and the host nation. The Relay for the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was the first to travel to other nations of the Commonwealth. The 2002 Relay covered over 100,000 kms and went through 23 nations.

Melbourne, 2006Baton Relay pin badge
The Melbourne 2006 Queen's Baton Relay was the world's longest, most inclusive relay, travelling more than 180,000 kms and visiting all 71 nations that send teams to the Commonwealth Games in one year and a day. The Queen's Baton Relay started, as it traditionally does, at Buckingham Palace and ended in Melbourne, Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It carried a message from Her Majesty the Queen and was read by her to the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.


About the Baton
The baton contained 71 lights on the front, representing the 71 member nations of the Commonwealth Games Federation. A video camera built into the front of the baton recorded continuously as the baton traveled, and a GPS tracker was fitted; so that the baton's location could be viewed live on the Commonwealth Games Website

Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 Pune - Details

History & Tradition
The Commonwealth tradition has been carrying forward a magnificent legacy of co-operation, humanity and unity. The Commonwealth is a unique family of developed and developing nations, a voluntary association of independent sovereign states spread over every continent and ocean. From Africa to Asia, from the Pacific shores to the Caribbean, the Commonwealth's 1.7 billion people make up 30% of the world's population and are of many faiths, races, languages and cultures. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the patron of the Games and HRH The Earl of Wessex CVO is the Vice patron.

The role ofCommonwealth Games Federation
The role of the Commonwealth Games Federation stretches beyond facilitation of the Commonwealth Games - indeed the continuing success of the Games has helped to influence the outreach of the Commonwealth and to strengthen it’s bonds.

As a means of improving society and the general well being of the people of member nations, the Federation also encourages and assists education via sport development and physical recreation throughout the Commonwealth.

Every decision made by the Commonwealth Games Federation inherently carries the intrinsic principles of - HUMANITY, EQUALITY and DESTINY, which are the core values of the organisation.

These values help to inspire and unite millions of people and they symbolise the broad mandate of the Federation within the Commonwealth.



Commonwealth Youth Games
The Commonwealth Games Federation discussed the idea of a Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games in 1997. In 1998 the concept was agreed on for the purpose of providing a Commonwealth multi-sport event for young people. The Commonwealth Youth Games are a mini Commonwealth Games attracting the best young athletes in the Commonwealth.

The inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 10-14 August 2000. 14 countries contested 483 medals over 3 days of competition in 8 sports- Athletics, Fencing, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lawn Tennis, Squash, Swimming and Weightlifting. A total of 733 athletes and team officials, 280 Technical Officials and around 500 volunteers participated in the event.

The success of these Games in Scotland gained the support of the Commonwealth Games Federation who has pledged continued support for a Commonwealth Youth Games to be held every 4 years.

The second edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games was held in Bendigo, Australia in December 2004, 24 countries participated and contested in 10 sports events spread over a period of 3 days, which included Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Lawn Bowls, Rugby 7’s, Tenpin Bowling, Swimming, Cycling, Gymnastics and Weightlifting.1000 athletes and team officials were involved in the Games in Bendigo.

The III Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in Pune, India 2008.It is for the first time in history that Commonwealth Youth Games are being held in Asia, in India. The city of Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra and a fast growing Metropolis, will host the 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games between 12 - 18 October in 2008 with the for 9 disciplines; Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

Over 1,300 athletes and 350 Officials from 71 countries will participate in the games. It is for the first time that this multi-sporting event is going to be held at a single venue – the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune.

Commonwealth youth games 2008 - Pune

The spectacular sporting bonanza is about to unfold in the cultural capital of Maharashtra. Pune is the proud host of the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008. An independent multi sports event, the Youth Games are a run up and a trial event to the Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held in Delhi.

Pune is renowned for hosting several world class events, including India’s oldest Marathon. World class sports facilities, modern infrastructure, excellent connectivity by multiple means of transport and a rich cultural heritage coupled with salubrious climate, indeed vouch for Pune’s candidature as the host city for the III Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.

It is for the FIRST time, that the Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in Asia – in 2008.

The Inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 10th to 14th August 2000.

The II Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Bendigo, Australia from 30th November to 3rd December 2004.

The III Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in Pune from the 12th to 18th October 2008. Over 1,300 athletes and 350 officials from 71 countries will participate in these games, in 9 disciplines -Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling are included in the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.

Apart from the athletes, team officials and Games technical Conduct Officials, there will be representatives from the National and International Federations alongwith the representatives of Print and Electronic media.

The Commonwealth Youth Games are an extremely significant event for India as they will form the back-bone for her quest for maximum Medals in the Delhi 2010 Games. The Youth Games will also serve to identify India’s medal winning potential athletes for the Asian Games 2014 and the Olympic Games 2016.

The most unique feature of these games is their venue, Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex. The venue of the III Commonwealth Youth Games Pune 2008 i.e. Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City, Balewadi, is unique as it is for the first time that the competition venues of all disciplines and the athletes’ village will be housed in a single sports complex. Located on 153 acres of land, on the outskirts of Pune, it is all set to host the international competitive multi-sporting event.

Be a part of the excitement as the city gears up for the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.