Thaindian News

Chandigarh, June 29 (IANS) Eminent sportspersons from Chandigarh who have made their mark in the international arena will carry the Queen’s Baton for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, when it officially enters this Union Territory (UT) July 3, an official said Tuesday.
According to officials, the baton will be carried by eminent sportspersons like legendary athlete Milkha Singh, who is also known as the ‘Flying Sikh’, world cup winning cricket captain Kapil Dev and Olympics gold medallist and ace shooter Abhinav Bindra.

“Chandigarh administration will receive the QBR (Queen Baton Relay) July 3 at 5 p.m. at Matka Chowk (roundabout) here. International sportspersons like Milkha Singh and Kapil Dev along with other 14 other prominent sportspersons of the city will receive the baton amid a grand welcome ceremony,” UT Finance Secretary Sanjay Kumar told reporters.

“From Matka Chowk, the baton will be taken to the cricket stadium in Sector 16. Local athletes and players will escort the international players, who carry the baton, through the route. The baton would be received by a group of decorated soldiers of the Indian Army at the cricket stadium,” he added.

Thereafter the baton will be handed over to the finance secretary. In the last lap, it will be carried by Abhinav Bindra who will finally hand it over to the advisor to the UT administrator.

However, the baton will first cross Chandigarh July 1 when it comes from Jammu. It will be kept at Western Command headquarters at Chandimandir in the neighbouring town of Panchkula July 1 and 2.

Pakistan’s Olympic Association chief Lt. Gen Arif Hassan had handed over the QBR to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president and chairman of organising committee of Commonwealth Games-2010 Suresh Kalmadi at Attari-Wagah border June 25.

So far, it has travelled nearly 170,000 km through nearly 70 Commonwealth countries before arriving in the host country.

By the end of its journey, the baton will have travelled over 190,000 km, through different modes of transport across land, air and sea, in 340 days, making the baton relay 2010 one of the longest relays in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

“QBR will be accompanied by a team of 89 officials and its convoy includes 26 vehicles. There would be a band display by the military bands which will be followed by cultural programmes by students of the local schools and colleges. QBR will move towards Una town in Himachal Pradesh July 4 morning,” Kumar said.