Delhi is going to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010. And among others, the citizens of Delhi wonder how Delhi is going to shape up in order to be ready for the Games. Even though there are about three years to plan and make arrangements, it seems that the games shall pose a different kind of a challenge for the ruling Government of Delhi.

The guidelines laid by the management of Commonwealth Games during the meeting held in Manchester and Melbourne are far from being simple or easy to achieve. These guidelines include clearing the streets of Delhi of beggars, stray dogs, touts and cattle. Though Delhi sand these unsocial elements would be utopia, achieving this is definitely a mean task. The gargantuan scope of this single guideline is likely to cause many a sleepless night to the organizers. Especially since the removal of these unwanted elements will need tough measures that may have social, political and economic undercurrents.

Another issue is the arrangement of a large number of English speaking guides to assist the numerous athletes, sportspersons and foreign tourists that are expected to arrive in Delhi from all over the Commonwealth countries for the Games. The estimates say that there would be a requirement of at least 20,000 English speaking volunteers as guides. The cost of arranging for good quality guides, who do not come cheap, is a nightmare in itself.

The guidelines also mention the need of at least 100 specialists in sports medicines and physiotherapy to ensure that no untoward incident spoils the environment for the games. This is another facility that the government will find hard to provide in time for the Games, especially since the limited scope has resulted in very few physiotherapists and sports doctors in India.

And this is not all. There are many other things also that need to be completed in the run up to 2010 Games. The construction of The Games Village in the Trans-Yamuna area needs to be completed. Though more land needs to be acquired from UP in the process of the construction, the DDA has been asked to proceed with the work on the land already in its possession. The importance of these games and the scale are evident from the fact that the issue of land acquisition is likely to be taken up at ministerial level with the government of UP.

The Games Village is expected to accelerate the overall development of East Delhi. Work is already underway for community centers. The Trans Yamuna Development Board has announced its plans to construct 5600 public toilets.

Given the almost impossible task that the organizers have, one can only hope that they buckle up their shoes sprint towards a victory towards the finishing line as the deadline of 2010 comes nearer.