The Commonwealth, a unique association of independent states consulting and co-operating in the common interests of their peoples and in the promotion of international understanding, comprising countries from all major continents of the world, rich and poor, small and large, In order to fulfill it’s goal and to promote Citizen-to-citizen links, organizes a four yearly multi sport event called the common wealth games. The games start with The Queens Baton Relay, the curtain-raiser to every Game since Cardiff 1958. The relay symbolises the gathering of people from across the Commonwealth. The 19th Commonwealth games are to be held in New Delhi in October 2010 and the Delhi 2010 Baton Relay was launched on 29th October 2009 at Buckingham Palace in London, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II handing the Baton to the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil. The Games in New Delhi are scheduled to start with an Opening Ceremony on 03 October 2010 and will end with the closing ceremony on 14 October 2010. The mascot – Shera, embodies values that India 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. Event Venue Event Dates Opening Ceremony JN Stadium 03 October 2010 Closing Ceremony JN Stadium 14 October 2010 Diving Dr SPM Swimming Complex 10-13 October 2010 Aquatics Swimming Dr SPM Swimming Complex 4-9 October 2010 Synchronised Dr SPM Swimming Complex 6-7 October 2010 Archery Yamuna Sports Complex/India Gate 4-10 October 2010 Track & Field JN Stadium 6-12 October 2010 Athletics Marathon JN Stadium/Marathon Course 14 October 2010 Walk India Gate 09 October 2010 Badminton Siri Fort Sports Complex 4-14 October 2010 Boxing Talkatora Indoor Stadium 5-11, 13 October 2010 Track IG Sports Complex 5-8 October 2010 Cycling Road Mass Start India Gate 10 October 2010 Road Time Trials Noida Highway Express Rd 13 October 2010 Artistic IG Sports Complex 4-8 October 2010 Gymnastics Rhythmic IG Sports Complex 12-14 October 2010 Hockey Maj. Dhyan Chand National Stadium 4-14 October 2010 Lawn Bowls JN Sports Complex 4-13 October 2010 Netball Thyagaraj Sports Complex 4-12, 14 October 2010 Rugby 7s Delhi University 11-12 October 2010 Clay Target Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range 6-13 October 2010 Shooting Full Bore CRPF Campus, Kadarpur 9-13 October 2010 Pistol and Small Bore Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range 5-13 October 2010 Squash Siri Fort Sports Complex 4-13 October 2010 Table Tennis Yamuna Sports Complex 4-14 October 2010 Tennis RK Khanna Tennis Stadium 4-10 October 2010 Weightlifting JN Sports Complex 4-12 October 2010 Wrestling IG Sports Complex 5-10 October 2010 .