Delhi hands-over the mantle to Glasgow

Bidding adieu to the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi and the flag handing ceremony to the next host city Glasgow, Scotland, began with acknowledging the magic created by the Games mascot Shera. Emotions ran high as Shaan, the popular playback singer, sang Shera song – Goodbye Shera. Each and everyone present in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, packed to its capacity of 60,000, and billions of viewers across the world sang along with him, Bada Yaad Aayega Tu Shera (We’ll remember you Shera).

After the speech of the Chairman of the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, who thanked one and all for their endless support and faith.

The formal Flag handover ceremony started with Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, the Chief Minister of Delhi and Mr. Robert Winter, Lord Provost of Glasgow coming forward for the flag exchange. Handing over the Flag Mrs. Sheila Dikshit said, "In a few moments the Commonwealth Games Federation Ceremonial Flag will be entrusted to your care so that in a due time you deliver it to Glasgow, the host city of the XX Commonwealth Games to be held in 2014."

Accepting that Mr. Robert Winter, The Lord Provost of Glasgow replied, “This duty I willingly undertake to fulfil.” The Flag was then lowered, folded and handed over to Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP and Chairman OC CWG Delhi 2010. Mr. Suresh Kalmadi handed over the Flag to Lt. Governor of Delhi, Mr. Tejinder Khanna, who, in turn handed it over to the Robert Winter, Lord Provost of Glasgow. The Flag finally passed to Right Honourable the Lord Smith of Kelvin.

In his speech Right Honourable the Lord Smith of Kelvin said, “Delhi has provided a wonderful Games. There are few cities like Delhi and Glasgow that can match the diversity of the Commonwealth and it’s fitting that the Games are exchanged among us.” He thanked Delhi for being generous hosts. He called upon the Commonwealth to visit Glasgow in 2014.

After that HRH Prince Edward, Vice Patron - Commonwealth Games Federation, announced the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Closed, "On behalf of the Queen Elizabeth, Patron of the Commonwealth and in the name of the Commonwealth Games Federation I proclaim the XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 closed and in accordance with the tradition I call upon the sportsmen and sportswomen of the Commonwealth to assemble in 4 years time in Glasgow, Scotland, there to celebrate the XX Commonwealth Games."