Punjab right place to start QBR’s Indian leg: Kalmadi

AMRITSAR - Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi Thursday expressed happiness that the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) is making its entry into India through Punjab.

The QBR will come to India via Attari border, some 30 kilometres from here, Friday morning.

“We are very happy that the Indian leg of QBR will begin from Punjab as this state has produced many great sportspersons who have been leading lights of our Olympic movement. From here it will move to rest of the country,” said Kalmadi, while addressing reporters here.

Kalmadi also commended the sportsman-spirit of Pakistan in supporting the Indian bid to host CWG.

“I am particularly happy that it (baton) is coming from Pakistan as they supported us tremendously to win the bid for the Commonwealth Games. There were many security concerns but Pakistan said don’t worry. In the field of sports, India and Pakistan are one,” stated Kalmadi.

“I am really happy that president of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) will hand the baton to me as the president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) at the Wagah-Attari border. It is a great occasion.”

POA president Syed Arif Hassan would hand over the queen’s baton to Kalmadi Friday at 9.25 a.m. at Attari border. Thereafter, the baton will travel to nearly 25 states and union territories before entering New Delhi that is hosting this big sporting event Oct 3 to 14.