NEW DELHI: Delhi's bid team for the 2010 Commonwealth Games closely watched the progress of first r Afro-Asian Games which were held in Hyderabad. The final vote will be held in Jamaica next month.

Our staging of the Afro-Asian Games is similar to us hosting the first Asian Games in Delhi in 1951. The Games went onto become an integral and important part of the sporting calendar in the region. The Afro Asian Games aired on DD Sports.

The bid team will use the momentum they have gained over the past few months to take them through to Jamaica. The very favourable report from the CGF Evaluation Commission, combined with a clear sense of destiny are being used to bring the Games to India for the first time. India comprises over 50 per cent of the Commonwealth population.

Indian Olympic Association head and the head of the 2010 bidding team Suresh Kalmadi added, "India has always been at the forefront of using sport to break down boundaries while also creating new opportunities. 'This approach of using sport to foster diversity and understanding amongst all nations and peoples is reflected in the key aspects of our bid where we are seeking to take the Commonwealth Games to new levels.

"We will have a higher level of focus on athlete needs and requirements, an expanded level of government commitment to staging the Games and making them a success, and a greater level of commercial opportunities for Commonwealth Games Associations and for the Commonwealth Games movement as a whole."