Montego Bay (Jamaica): India earned the right the host the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi by 46 votes to 22 secured by Canadian city of Hamilton in a meeting of the Commonwealth Games Federation in Montego Bay today (Nov 14).

India's bid, with 'New Frontiers and New Friendships' as the theme, and the Government's decision to underwrite the total cost of the Games clinched the decision in favour of India.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi, IOA secretary Randhir Singh, Union Sports Minister Vikram Verma, Lt Governor of Delhi Vijai Kapoor, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, world champion rifle shooter Anjali Ved Bhagwat and former world billiards champion Michael Ferreira made presentations to the delegates before the voting started, while Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee delivered a video message.

The sentimental note expressed in their presentations, that India had not hosted the Games in 50 years while Canada had done so four times, won the bid for India.

Vajpayee said, "My Government has taken the decision to fully underwrite the cost of the Games. India is one of the fast growing economies of the world. We are the leaders in Information Technology.

"The Games will offer new market opportunities not only for India, but for all the Commonwealth nations," he said.

India will become only the second Asian nation, after Malaysia (1998), and the third developing country, after Jamaica (1966) to host the Games.

In his presentation, Kalmadi announced that India was committed to give a grant of $ 100,000 to each of the 72 Commonwealth countries to train and equip their athletes, drawing loud applause from the delegates.

"This grant will be paid immediately following the Melbourne (Commonwealth) Games in 2006," he said, submitting a letter of commitment signed by him and Randhir Singh to Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chairman Mike Fennell.

Asked whether India was planning to include cricket in the Games, Kalmadi replied the sport was not part of the 15 events agreed to, but added that addition of cricket would enable India to double the grant already announced.

He said India would be "flexible" about the dates of the 2010 Games. "They will be decided in consultation with the CGF and all the international federations."

"We have no other event in 2010. We also have no event from 2004 to 2009 and it (the Games) will be the sole sporting focus of the nation. We promise you a dream," Kalmadi said.

Speaking in support of India's bid, Gavaskar said, "India has successfully organised two cricket World Cups. More than 70 per cent of the $ 40 million sponsorship of the International Cricket Council (ICC) comes from India. India is the fuel that drives the financial engine of the ICC."

He also thanked the Pakistani delegation for supporting the Indian bid. "Salaam and thank you, Pakistani delegation, thank you for your gesture," Gavaskar said, as the packed audience applauded.

PTI