Sachin to grace opening

Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar is set to play a “special” part in Wednesday’s opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games, which will herald the beginning of what promises to be a star-studded event.

Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket after a glorious career spanning 24 years, will make his presence felt during the ceremony in his capacity as the Global Goodwill Ambassador of the UNICEF, which has partnered with the Glasgow CWG organisers and Commonwealth Games Federation in a first-of-its-kind initiative to spread awareness about the children’s problems facing all over the world.

Below-par facilities

The facilities at the Commonwealth Games Village came under sharp criticsm from Indian officials here on Tuesday.

India was criticised by some countries for the “poor hygiene” and “lack of facilities” at the Games Village in 2010 but the officials here said what has been offered in Glasgow was a far cry from what was offered in Delhi.

Indian chef de mission Raj Singh the gym for athletes’ training was small and had limited work stations while there was no variety in the food offered.

“We were at the receiving end when we hosted the Games in 2010. But what we are getting at the Athletes Village in Glasgow is much below what India had given in 2010. Looking back, I feel India had provided great facilities to the participating athletes,” he said and pointed out that athletes had to share the bathrooms and there were televisions only the common areas.