Delhi signs pact for Commonwealth Games

NEW DELHI: Commonwealth Games 2010 hosts Delhi on Tuesday entered into an agreement for strategic alliance with the past hosts of the event - Melbourne.

Lord Mayor of Melbourne John So and Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit signed the Delhi-Melbourne Strategic City Alliance Programme, which will focus on sharing experiences in the preparations and management of the event.

"The two cities will also promote development of sports, exchange of sporting knowledge, business relating to sports and tourism and cultural activities," a Delhi government official here said.

Speaking on this occasion, the chief minister described the agreement as the beginning of a friendship between two prominent cities.

"Melbourne is a beautifully managed city, which hosted the last edition of the Commonwealth Games meticulously in 2006."

The agreement provides for the establishment of a joint working group. The group, having equal representation from both the cities, will develop an action plan for promotion of sports, economic activities, sports medicine, and tourism between the two cities.

Exchange of information and expertise for hosting the Commonwealth Games will be the prime focus for the first three years of the Delhi-Melbourne Strategic City Alliance Programme.