 Asia has staged the Commonwealth Games just once |
Delhi looks set to push the Canadian city of Hamilton all the way in the battle to stage the 2010 Commonwealth Games. A technical team from the Games Federation carried out an evaluation tour of the Indian capital this week, and chief executive Michael Hooper declared after the inspection: "It should be close."
The host city will be chosen on 13 November during a federation congress in Jamaica, with Singapore's withdrawal leaving Delhi and Hamilton in a two-horse race.
And Indian sports officials believe Vancouver's successful bid to stage the 2010 Winter Olympics has increased India's hopes of victory.
"The Vancouver victory has 100% boosted our chances," Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi said after the decision last month.
"No country can manage to host two big Games in the same year."
While Canada has staged the Commonwealth Games three times, they have gone to Asia just once - when Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur hosted in 1998.
Canada held the 1994 event in Victoria, Manchester hosted it last year and the 2006 Games will be held in Melbourne, Australia.
MMIX
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