Queen's Baton reaches Chandigarh

Chandigarh, July 4: The Queen's Baton Relay for the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) reached Chandigarh on Saturday, Jul 3.

Legendary athlete Milkha Singh, along with cricketer Kapil Dev and Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra passed on the celebrated baton to each other in a one kilometre long relay.

Hundreds of spectators gathered at the city stadium to witness the exuberant occasion.

"I am happy and thankful to the organizing committee of the Commonwealth Games 2010 for giving me the opportunity to receive the Queen's Baton in Chandigarh," said Milkha Singh.

"I am feeling very nice that the baton has come to Chandigarh. I appeal to the people of India and the media to enthuse our sportsmen and maintain the high energy level and enthusiasm that prevails right now till the end of the Games," added Kapil Dev.

The Queen's Baton had arrived in India from Pakistan via the Wagah border on June 25. The baton will cover most states and union territories, travelling a distance of over 20,000 km, before finally reaching New Delhi on September 30.

The Queen's Baton relay is a torch race symbolising the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of nations. It carries a message from the head of the Commonwealth of Nations, currently Queen Elizabeth II of the UK.

The baton has the ability to capture images and sound as it travels throughout the nations of the Commonwealth. With Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, it can be tracked through exact location.

ANI