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QUEEN’S BATON RELAY 2010 DELHI

The countdown to the Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi began on Sunday 8 March 2009 when the attention of the Commonwealth was turned to Delhi, India, where on the eve of Commonwealth Day, a replica of the Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi was unveiled by the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi.

Held on the lawns at Delhi’s, India Gate in the nation’s capital, the event achieved immense media exposure and generated a great deal of excitement amongst the high profile audience as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Mr. Tejendra Khanna officially unveiled the Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi and heralded its design and manufacture as a technological triumph to Indian capabilities.

The baton’s journey symbolises the harmony and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations, and will provide an opportunity for the entire Commonwealth to share in the excitement of XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. The baton also plays another important role, in that it carries Her Majesty’s message to the athletes from Buckingham Palace to the opening ceremony for the Games.

Culminating at the pinnacle of the Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi is a precious jewellery box containing the Queen’s message which has been symbolically engraved onto a miniature 18 carat gold leaf, representative of the ancient Indian 'pathras'. The gold leaf inscription reflects the essence of the richness of culture of ancient India. Modern laser technology known as micro calligraphy has been used for the first time to write the Queen’s message.

The Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi is a fusion of handcrafted elements interplayed with a precision engineered body, ornamented with a free flowing inlay of a range of soil colours. The baton uses a combination of 'high precision engineering' and 'fine craftsmanship', both integrated to create a true 'Indian' masterpiece. This baton is light weight and uses ergonomic contours for convenient holding.

First introduced at the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in Wales, the Queen’s Baton Relay has become a much loved games tradition and is the curtain raiser to the games; generating excitement and building anticipation across the Commonwealth. Since then the Queen’s Baton Relay has become an entrenched games tradition.

The Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi will be one of the longest relays in history travelling 190,000 kilometres over a 340 day period. The baton containing the Queen’s message will leave Buckingham Palace on the Thursday 29 October 2009, where it will then traverse the length and breadth of the Commonwealth for 240 days visiting all of the other 70 Commonwealth nations, before entering India. The baton will then continue its journey throughout India for another 100 days, making its way to the Opening Ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi to be held on 3 October 2010.

Mr. Suresh Kalmadi Chairman of the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi said, “The inclusion of every Commonwealth nation in the relay route provides Commonwealth Games Associations in each region with an exciting opportunity to participate and generate excitement for the Games at a local level.”

Mike Fennell, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation said “In the wake of recent global events, the relay extends an important message of hope and community to the broader Commonwealth family.”

Danielle Mottram, the QBR liaison officer said “She is delighted the Isle of Man will be hosting the baton. The Island’s leg of the relay has the potential to be watched by millions of people from all over the world, thanks to the batons interactive web based technologies and the media attention it is expected to generate. Our involvement in this exciting event provides the entire community with the opportunity to highlight and promote our small Island to the rest of the world.”

The Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi will arrive on the Isle of Man on Sunday 15th November. Whilst the baton is on the Island we hope for it to travel around all of the schools via cars donated by Mylchreests, giving every school child the opportunity to see it. His Excellency Vice Admiral Sir Paul Haddacks, KCB is hosting a reception on the Monday evening. For your chance to be involved in this great celebration you can come down to Douglas promenade on Tuesday 17th November between 6pm and 6.30pm where 20 likely IOM 2011 CYG athletes along with 11 gateway athletes will be parading the baton.

The international sector for the Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi is a joint initiative of the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi in partnership with the Commonwealth Games Federation and locally with the Commonwealth Games Association of the Isle of Man.

For further information about the Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi visit:
www.cga.im or www.cwgdelhi2010.org

Direct local media enquiries to:
Danielle Mottram
QBR Liaison Officer
07624 418971
queensbatonrelay@manx.net

Clerical Medical is proud to support the Commonwealth Games Association of the Isle of Man by sponsoring this website

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QUEEN’S BATON RELAY 2010 DELHI

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