18:54: Here's some fun news. In a survey conducted among athletes at the Games Village, Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar has been voted the 'Most Popular' athlete. The survey was conducted by tabloid 'Village News'
18:50: The Nehru stadium is filled with VIPs. Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader, is in the stands.
18:47: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is here. He is the guest of honour at the ceremony. Looks crisp in a white suit.
18:46: The commentators remind us that this is the first time India has won 100 medals at the CWG. Quite a record.
18:45: Dignitaries continue to arrive at the Nehru Stadium. We have Vice- President Hamid Ansari, who alights from a fancy white sedan.
18:41: The final day of the CWG had a couple of star guests - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. The Prime Minister watched the hockey final where India were thrashed by Australia, and his wife chose the badminton final where Saina made history.
18:36: Saina looked a tad nervous in the first set loss, but recovered wonderfully to stage a famous win. The nation is proud of its sports hero.
18:32: This is what Saina had to say about her victory, calling the three-setter the toughest win of her career -
"It was the toughest match of my career. It was a big test for me because I have never won from a match point down.
But I am happy I could win it for my country in front of my home crowd. I am proud to have taken India to the second position in the medals tally with my gold medal win.”
18:27: So India finish second thanks to a last minute gold from Saina in badminton. Pulsating finish to India's campaign.
18:25: Returning to our discussion on the success of the Games, PTI has this report about Interpol lauding the security agencies involved -
The Interpol has commended Indian security agencies for their “collaborative” efforts with international law enforcement agencies in ensuring the security of participants and visitors flocking the national capital for the Commonwealth Games.
18:17: So for all the naysayers, this is it, right here. Didn't think India could it off? Think again. Proved wrong.
18:15: No unparliamentary language will be tolerated at the stadium, says the announcer. Duly noted.
18:12: Shankar Mahadevan will sing the theme song of the Games, and the programme has been put together by Shyam Benegal, Bharat Bala and Prasoon Joshi
18:10: I've been told that the Closing Ceremony will be a crispier affair, not as lengthy as the Opening Ceremony.
The Jawarhar Lal Nehru stadium is lit up and we're set for the grand finale.
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18:50: The Nehru stadium is filled with VIPs. Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader, is in the stands.
18:47: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is here. He is the guest of honour at the ceremony. Looks crisp in a white suit.
18:46: The commentators remind us that this is the first time India has won 100 medals at the CWG. Quite a record.
18:45: Dignitaries continue to arrive at the Nehru Stadium. We have Vice- President Hamid Ansari, who alights from a fancy white sedan.
18:41: The final day of the CWG had a couple of star guests - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. The Prime Minister watched the hockey final where India were thrashed by Australia, and his wife chose the badminton final where Saina made history.
18:36: Saina looked a tad nervous in the first set loss, but recovered wonderfully to stage a famous win. The nation is proud of its sports hero.
18:32: This is what Saina had to say about her victory, calling the three-setter the toughest win of her career -
"It was the toughest match of my career. It was a big test for me because I have never won from a match point down.
But I am happy I could win it for my country in front of my home crowd. I am proud to have taken India to the second position in the medals tally with my gold medal win.”
18:27: So India finish second thanks to a last minute gold from Saina in badminton. Pulsating finish to India's campaign.
18:25: Returning to our discussion on the success of the Games, PTI has this report about Interpol lauding the security agencies involved -
The Interpol has commended Indian security agencies for their “collaborative” efforts with international law enforcement agencies in ensuring the security of participants and visitors flocking the national capital for the Commonwealth Games.
18:24: Irene Kosgei from Kenya presented the gold medal. A marathon winner from Kenya. What are the odds?
18:22: Before the ceremony begins, we have one last medal ceremony. Women's marathon. Who presents the medals? OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi
18:17: So for all the naysayers, this is it, right here. Didn't think India could it off? Think again. Proved wrong.
18:15: No unparliamentary language will be tolerated at the stadium, says the announcer. Duly noted.
18:12: Shankar Mahadevan will sing the theme song of the Games, and the programme has been put together by Shyam Benegal, Bharat Bala and Prasoon Joshi
18:10: I've been told that the Closing Ceremony will be a crispier affair, not as lengthy as the Opening Ceremony.
The Jawarhar Lal Nehru stadium is lit up and we're set for the grand finale.
And we are now at the end of festivities. Welcome, one final time, to our coverage of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived on Thursday afternoon to attend the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games as the guest of honour.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will host a lunch for Rajapaksa and his delegation, comprising foreign minister GL Peiris and foreign secretary CR Jayasinghe, at his residence on Friday.
