India successfully hosted XIX Commonwealth Games which was held in Delhi between October 3 and October 14, 2010. It was the biggest sporting event hosted by India. Some 7000 athletes from 71 member countries and territories of the Commonwealth Games Federation of the 54 Commonwealth countries had sportingly competed for 852 medals. India won 101, including 38 gold, its highest ever, to be the second in the tally behind Australia with a total of 177.
CWG Associations exceeds the number or countries because the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - send separate teams to the Commonwealth Games, and individual teams are also sent from the British Crown dependencies - Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man - and many of the British overseas territories. The Australian external territory of Norfolk Island also sends its own team, as do the Cook Islands and Niue, two non-sovereign states in free association with New Zealand. The Commonwealth dependency of Tokelau has also now become a member of CWG Association.
CWG Delhi 2010 was launched with the Green Games initiatives celebrated on the World Environment Day on 5 June 2009 with a Tree Plantation Ceremony in the “Commonwealth Garden of 71” created at Hotel Ashok, the Games Family Hotel in New Delhi. 71 Jasmine saplings were planted in the Commonwealth Garden of 71. Each tree represented a participating nation or territory. Mr Suresh Kalmadi was chairman of the Organizing Committee.
The event was part of CWG movement with the three core values – Humanity, Equality and Destiny - adopted in 2001. These values inspire and unite millions of people and symbolise the broad mandate for holding the Games within the Commonwealth.
Earlier known as British Empire Games, was first organized in 1928, and first proposed by Reverend Ashley Cooper when he suggested a Pan-Britannic, Pan-Anglican Contest and Festival every four years to foster goodwill and understanding within the Empire, which culminated in the first-ever Commonwealth Games being held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1930. Since then 19 Commonwealth Games have been held every four years, except during World War II (1942 and 1946). Initially the Games were known as the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, then as British Commonwealth Games and simply as the Commonwealth Games since 1978.
Logo of XIX Commonwealth Games
The logo of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi was inspired by the Chakra, India’s national symbol of freedom, unity and power. Spiralling upwards, it depicts the growth of India into a proud, vibrant nation.
The logo tagline was “Come Out and Play”, an invitation to every person across all divides – Indian and Commonwealth - to let go of themselves and participate in the Games to the best of their abilities, in the true sprit of the Games. It was conceived as an exhortation to them to set new records, to outperform, and to raise the bar by scaling new peaks of achievement.
The colour palette for the Delhi 2010 look programme combined two of the distinctive colours of the Delhi 2010 Emblem with the official colours of the Commonwealth Games.
Green signified life, energy and high spirits also represented the fact that Delhi 2010 was the first ever Green Games.
Purple, combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical qualities of pink, satisfied the need for reassurance, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement.
Red, Yellow and Blue represented the ‘Trinity of Values’ that symbolise the games; unifying Humanity (Red) giving all athletes a chance to realise their Destiny (Yellow) and promoting Equality (Blue).
Pink was also introduced to the palette adding an element of surprise and luxury to the Games look programme. It played to the crowd and reflected India in all its resplendent glory.
The Mascot
Shera, the mascot of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, was the most visible face of the event. His name comes from the Hindi word Sher – meaning tiger. Shera was used to represents the modern Indian. He is an achiever with a positive attitude, a global citizen but justifiably proud of his nation’s ancient heritage, a fierce competitor but with integrity and honesty. Shera is also a ‘large-hearted gentleman’ who loves making friends and enthusing people to ‘come out and play’.
In Indian mythology, the tiger is associated with Goddess Durga, the embodiment of Shakti (or female power) and the vanquisher of evil. She rides her powerful vehicle – the tiger – into combat, especially in her epic and victorious battle against Mahishasur, a dreaded demon.
Shera embodies values that the nation is proud of: majesty, power, charisma, intelligence and grace. His athletic prowess, courage and speed on the field are legendary. He is also a reminder of the fragile environment he lives in and our responsibility towards the protection of his ecosystem.
Theme song
The XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi’s theme song, Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto (Live, Rise, Ascend, Win), music maestro A. R. Rahman’s call to the people and athletes of India and the Commonwealth to come out and play was launched on 28 August 2010.
Shera song
The song ‘Shera’ was conceived and produced by Vikramjit Sahney. The music composer was Jeetu J. The song had been sung in Hindi and English by Vikramjit Sahney, Shibani Kashyap and Millind. It reflected the spirit of Shera, representing majesty, power, charisma and grace.
Welcome song
‘COME OUT AND PLAY’ being the theme of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, itself suggests a celebration of a world-wide sports festival. This song, with a mixed flavour of Indian folk and rock, depicted the sounds of ‘celebration of being together’.
Invitation song
YEH FASLE was India’s invitation to the world to come and live the experience called ‘Incredible India’. The track encouraged us to forget colour, class, creed and rise through global unity. The entire song reiterated the theme of ‘Come Out and Play’. It reminded that we were not there to decide who was better than whom, but to celebrate the spirit of being together, playing together and enjoying the mega sporting extravaganza together.
The ceremonial Flag was handover by Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi, to the official representative of the XX Commonwealth Games 2014, Glasgow (the largest city in Scotland).
CWG Associations exceeds the number or countries because the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - send separate teams to the Commonwealth Games, and individual teams are also sent from the British Crown dependencies - Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man - and many of the British overseas territories. The Australian external territory of Norfolk Island also sends its own team, as do the Cook Islands and Niue, two non-sovereign states in free association with New Zealand. The Commonwealth dependency of Tokelau has also now become a member of CWG Association.
CWG Delhi 2010 was launched with the Green Games initiatives celebrated on the World Environment Day on 5 June 2009 with a Tree Plantation Ceremony in the “Commonwealth Garden of 71” created at Hotel Ashok, the Games Family Hotel in New Delhi. 71 Jasmine saplings were planted in the Commonwealth Garden of 71. Each tree represented a participating nation or territory. Mr Suresh Kalmadi was chairman of the Organizing Committee.
The event was part of CWG movement with the three core values – Humanity, Equality and Destiny - adopted in 2001. These values inspire and unite millions of people and symbolise the broad mandate for holding the Games within the Commonwealth.
Earlier known as British Empire Games, was first organized in 1928, and first proposed by Reverend Ashley Cooper when he suggested a Pan-Britannic, Pan-Anglican Contest and Festival every four years to foster goodwill and understanding within the Empire, which culminated in the first-ever Commonwealth Games being held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1930. Since then 19 Commonwealth Games have been held every four years, except during World War II (1942 and 1946). Initially the Games were known as the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, then as British Commonwealth Games and simply as the Commonwealth Games since 1978.
Logo of XIX Commonwealth Games
The logo of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi was inspired by the Chakra, India’s national symbol of freedom, unity and power. Spiralling upwards, it depicts the growth of India into a proud, vibrant nation.
The logo tagline was “Come Out and Play”, an invitation to every person across all divides – Indian and Commonwealth - to let go of themselves and participate in the Games to the best of their abilities, in the true sprit of the Games. It was conceived as an exhortation to them to set new records, to outperform, and to raise the bar by scaling new peaks of achievement.
The colour palette for the Delhi 2010 look programme combined two of the distinctive colours of the Delhi 2010 Emblem with the official colours of the Commonwealth Games.
Green signified life, energy and high spirits also represented the fact that Delhi 2010 was the first ever Green Games.
Purple, combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical qualities of pink, satisfied the need for reassurance, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement.
Red, Yellow and Blue represented the ‘Trinity of Values’ that symbolise the games; unifying Humanity (Red) giving all athletes a chance to realise their Destiny (Yellow) and promoting Equality (Blue).
Pink was also introduced to the palette adding an element of surprise and luxury to the Games look programme. It played to the crowd and reflected India in all its resplendent glory.
The Mascot
Shera, the mascot of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, was the most visible face of the event. His name comes from the Hindi word Sher – meaning tiger. Shera was used to represents the modern Indian. He is an achiever with a positive attitude, a global citizen but justifiably proud of his nation’s ancient heritage, a fierce competitor but with integrity and honesty. Shera is also a ‘large-hearted gentleman’ who loves making friends and enthusing people to ‘come out and play’.
In Indian mythology, the tiger is associated with Goddess Durga, the embodiment of Shakti (or female power) and the vanquisher of evil. She rides her powerful vehicle – the tiger – into combat, especially in her epic and victorious battle against Mahishasur, a dreaded demon.
Shera embodies values that the nation is proud of: majesty, power, charisma, intelligence and grace. His athletic prowess, courage and speed on the field are legendary. He is also a reminder of the fragile environment he lives in and our responsibility towards the protection of his ecosystem.
Theme song
The XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi’s theme song, Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto (Live, Rise, Ascend, Win), music maestro A. R. Rahman’s call to the people and athletes of India and the Commonwealth to come out and play was launched on 28 August 2010.
Shera song
The song ‘Shera’ was conceived and produced by Vikramjit Sahney. The music composer was Jeetu J. The song had been sung in Hindi and English by Vikramjit Sahney, Shibani Kashyap and Millind. It reflected the spirit of Shera, representing majesty, power, charisma and grace.
Welcome song
‘COME OUT AND PLAY’ being the theme of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, itself suggests a celebration of a world-wide sports festival. This song, with a mixed flavour of Indian folk and rock, depicted the sounds of ‘celebration of being together’.
Invitation song
YEH FASLE was India’s invitation to the world to come and live the experience called ‘Incredible India’. The track encouraged us to forget colour, class, creed and rise through global unity. The entire song reiterated the theme of ‘Come Out and Play’. It reminded that we were not there to decide who was better than whom, but to celebrate the spirit of being together, playing together and enjoying the mega sporting extravaganza together.
The ceremonial Flag was handover by Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi, to the official representative of the XX Commonwealth Games 2014, Glasgow (the largest city in Scotland).