Come on \’Mrs. Malik\’! (Games Sidelights)

Indo-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI - Who is the \”Mrs. Malik\” that Indian spectators are cheering for? You guessed it right - India\’s own tennis ace Sania Mirza who married Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik this year.

Well, Sania is back in action. Spectators cheering her are also in form. To buck her up, many can be seen shouting: \”Mrs. Malik, come on!\”

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Euro coins for noble cause

For security reasons, coins are not allowed inside stadiums. And those who don\’t know end up putting them in a donation box.

At one event, a man who was carrying a lot of Euro coins was asked to put them in the box. More than the man himself, it was the policeman who seemed anguished about his having to part with all that money.

The money collected though will be used for cancer patients.

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Key to Taj Mahal

Players just can\’t seem to have enough of the Taj Mahal. The organising committee has planned a free trip to the majestic 17th century monument to love, but they are picking up Taj Mahal key-chains anyway.

Priced at Rs.60 and Rs.70 respectively for two different sizes, the Taj key-chains are being sold in bulk at the handicrafts store of the Games Village. That is followed in sales by lac pens worth Rs.14 each that have run out of stock. Ladies stoles are also a hit with the guests.

The visitors are also picking up a lot of incense sticks, bedsheets and paintings.

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Another first for cycling champ!

As if winning a gold here and breaking her own Commonwealth Games record were not enough, champion cyclist Anna Meares has now become the first individual visitor to buy a single expensive item in the Games Village.

The three-time world champion and Athens Olympic gold medallist has bought a single piece stone box with inlaid semi-precious stones for Rs.31,000 at the handicrafts store in the international zone.

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Blow your own trumpet

An Indian Games official, obviously seeking publicity, virtually dragged one of the top bosses of the international archery body FITA to a spot where journalists were present.

When the scribes looked disinterested, the official said: \”Look, here is a FITA boss. You can ask him about his impression of archery arrangements at this Commonwealth Games.\”

The journos still remained unmoved. He then whispered something into the FITA boss\’ ears and cried out: \”Please listen to what he is saying. He is saying that archery is the best organised event in the Games. Do publish it!\”

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CWG a training venue for journalism students

Many aspiring journos are doing duty at the media centres of Games venues. While some are doing a great job of providing results and other statistical details, others are helping out in the media lounge where real-life scribes relax during small breaks from the gruelling coverage.

One such young man helping out with refreshments said: \”The organisers chose us because we have some idea about journalism. And for us, it is an educative experience. We are learning a lot by watching how senior reporters cover big events.\”

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Courting on and off court

It is now well known that Indian tennis players Soumyadeep Roy and Poulomi Ghatak are about to tie the knot. And their chemistry is showing off court at the Games venue in Yamuna Sports Complex.

As Poulomi took to the court for the women\’s team quarter final against Australia Wednesday, Roy looked a trifle tense but was there in the players\’ stand to encourage his would-be-wife with his lung power.

Poulomi would also from time to time look at him, and Roy would respond with a clenched fist to boost her morale!