Aug 25 to be celebrated as 'Commonwealth Games Race Day'

Lucknow, Aug 23 (UNI) The organising committee of Commonwealth Games -- slated at Delhi in 2010 -- has directed all state units to celebrate August 25 with banners, posters, hoardings and a race in the name of its mascot 'Shera'.

Uttar Pradesh Swimming Association president Ranjit Singh Judeo (MLC) said president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Suresh Kalmadi, in a circular to all affiliated units, had directed to celebrate the day as 'Commonwealth Games Race Day'.

For this purpose, the state unit would organise the race at Lucknow and Allahabad, Mr Judeo said here.

The race would be held in open categories for men and women and the prizes would be given upto third place winners in both categories.

Regarding withdrawal of the 2009 National Games by IOA from UP, which were allotted earlier and withdrawn due to Sports Act enacted by the state government, Mr Judeo said, ''we were still trying to bring back the prestigious games to UP...we are only opposing some of the clauses of the Act.'' He informed a 10-member committee had been constituted and it would contact UP chief minister to remove hurdles coming in its way.

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