Tickets for the Commonwealth Games (CWG) opening ceremony flew off windows. And after the D-level tickets (those selling for Rs 1,000 per person) sold out, sports minister M.S. Gill proposed to the CWG-committee to secure free tickets for Commonwealth events for school students. And with well-known global and Indian athletes of repute participating, youngsters are saying ‘let the Games begin’.
Soon after the ticket sales opened, other than the terminal events of the CWG, officials confirmed that swimming and hockey are a top draw and Saina Nehwal and Leander Paes’ recent laurels will ensure that their badminton and tennis ties will be keenly watched too. And with India’s hopes resting on shooting stars of global repute, youngsters feel that athletes will come out all guns blazing. Kiran Yadav, an NCC aspirant, says, “Rajyavardhan Rathore is an amazing marksman and a thorough gentleman. I hope he features in the medal tally too. I’ll go to see him shooting anyway.”
With the ‘yes-no-maybe’ over world’s best sprinter, Usain Bolt’s presence now ending in a negative, many fans of the “lightning bolt” are distraught. Prateek Rangra, physical therapist, “I was looking forward to seeing Bolt in action, but I guess he won’t participate else they would’ve publicised his participation by now. However, Saina’s (Nehwal) matches will be a top draw I believe, even lawn tennis is keenly followed.”
With Atlanta Olympic’s bronze still afresh in many minds, and the recent Wimbledon conquest, tennis ace Leander Paes, is also in the limelight.
Manish Singh, engineering student and a tennis freak, avers, “I’m eagerly waiting for the tennis matches with a hope that Paes, Bhupathi and Somdev Devvarman turn out in India’s colours. Why can’t Lee-Hesh come together one more time for the country’s sake?”