The 2010 Commonwealth Games was the nineteenth Commonwealth Games, and the ninth held under that name. The Games held in New Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010, the largest multi-sport event conducted in New Delhi and India, which hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. The opening ceremony was taken place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main stadium of the event. This marks the first time the Commonwealth Games have been held in India and the second time the event has been held in Asia (after the 198 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). The preparations for the games received criticism in news media due to issues including bad weather, infrastructural compromise, preparation delays (in particular, that of the Games Village), the withdrawal of prominent athletes, and allegations of widespread corruption. However no nations have withdrawn and the games have not been postponed.
Ceremony
The opening ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main stadium of the event, in New Delhi, India. It began at 7:00 PM (IST) on 3 October 2010 ending at 11:00 PM (IST) displaying India’s varied culture in a plethora of cultural showcases. It was watched live by a global audience of around three billion. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (representing Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth) and President of India Pratibha Patel officially declared the Games open. Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh of the host nation, India, attended the opening ceremony as well. A total of three heads of state from outside India attended the opening ceremony; two from Commonwealth nations and one from a non-Commonwealth nation. The three head of states are Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Maldives, Marcus Stephen, President of Nauru, and Prince Albert II of Monaco, whose country Monaco is not a member of the Commonwealth. As well, Sir Anand Satyanand, the Governor General of New Zealand (the first of Indian descent), and a multiple Commonwealth gold medalist, attended the ceremony.
Sports/Disciplines
The sports contested in Aquatics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby 7s, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestlings.
Pakistan’s Participation in 19th Commonwealth Games
75-member Pakistan Contingent participated in the 19th Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi, India from 3rd to 14th October, 2010.