Commonwealth Youth Games – Pune, India 2008

The spectacular sporting bonanza is about to unfold in the cultural capital of Maharashtra. Pune is the proud host of the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008. An independent multi sports event, the Youth Games are a run up and a trial event to the Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held in Delhi.

Pune is renowned for hosting several world class events, including India’s oldest Marathon. World class sports facilities, modern infrastructure, excellent connectivity by multiple means of transport and a rich cultural heritage coupled with salubrious climate, indeed vouch for Pune’s candidature as the host city for the III Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.

It is for the FIRST time, that the Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in Asia – in 2008.

The Inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 10th to 14th August 2000.

The II Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Bendigo, Australia from 30th November to 3rd December 2004.

The III Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in Pune from the 12th to 18th October 2008. Over 1,300 athletes and 350 officials from 71 countries will participate in these games, in 9 disciplines -Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling are included in the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.

Apart from the athletes, team officials and Games technical Conduct Officials, there will be representatives from the National and International Federations along with the representatives of Print and Electronic media.

The Commonwealth Youth Games are an extremely significant event for India as they will form the back-bone for her quest for maximum Medals in the Delhi 2010 Games. The Youth Games will also serve to identify India’s medal winning potential athletes for the Asian Games 2014 and the Olympic Games 2016.

The most unique feature of these games is their venue, Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex. The venue of the III Commonwealth Youth Games Pune 2008 i.e. Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City, Balewadi, is unique as it is for the first time that the competition venues of all disciplines and the athletes’ village will be housed in a single sports complex. Located on 153 acres of land, on the outskirts of Pune, it is all set to host the international competitive multi-sporting event.

The Commonwealth Youth Games embody the spirit of humanity, achievement and harmony. Pune, as the host city for the III Commonwealth Youth Games, inherently prides itself of all these noble values. The cultural capital of Maharashtra is also known as the "Queen of the Deccan" due to its salubrious climate and location. A significant player in the history of India, it wears a rich historical legacy characterized with the glorious period of the Marathas and the Peshwas.

It is one of the fastest growing metropolis in the country. The city is emerging as a major IT centre of excellence. Pune is also known as the “Detroit of the East” due to the presence of fastest growing automobile industry in Asia. The city has a rich heritage and historical repute of being the epicenter of all activities related to tradition, sports and culture.

Pune as a modern energetic city pulsating with warmth, energy, vivacity and enthusiasm provides a perfect background for an event of such a magnitude while contributing towards the tradition of the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Pune is the ideal venue for conducting the Commonwealth Youth Games as it is truly the city of the youth!

Nestled amidst the Sahyadri Hills in the large, prosperous Indian state of Maharashtra, Pune has a population of over 45 lakh. Situated at a height of 560m above sea level at the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers, it is surrounded by hills, valleys and historic forts. Pune is the second largest city in Maharashtra, after capital Mumbai.

The website: www.cygpune2008.com

Sports & Venues

The III Commonwealth Youth Games will be hosted by Pune from 12 to 18 October 2008 at the magnificent Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City, Balewadi. The notable feature of this event is that the competition venues of all sports events and the Athletes Village are located in one single complex.

The sports city is located 12 KM away from Pune railway station and 22 KM from the airport, on the Mumbai- Pune highway. It occupies an area of 153 acres of well laid out sports venues with world class competition and training facilities. An Athletes Village with modern facilities is also located within the venue.

The main Athletics stadium has a seating capacity of 20,000 and will be the venue for the Opening and Closing ceremonies.

The Sports City has 5 indoor (Badminton, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Boxing) and 4 outdoor (Athletics, Tennis, Swimming and Shooting) venues. The Shooting Range including Trap & Skeet will be the best in the country. All the venues are provided with modern electronic scoring and timing equipment. Each venue also caters for a separate practice and warm up area.

The Athletes Village can house 1800 athletes and team officials and is equipped with the most modern facilities to cater to the comfort of the athletes.

In anticipation of large and enthusiastic crowds, adequate parking space of approximately 25 acres is being developed outside the Sports City.

The Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 will include a total of 9 disciplines: Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting, Wrestling.

History & Tradition

The Commonwealth tradition has been carrying forward a magnificent legacy of co-operation, humanity and unity. The Commonwealth is a unique family of developed and developing nations, a voluntary association of independent sovereign states spread over every continent and ocean. From Africa to Asia, from the Pacific shores to the Caribbean, the Commonwealth's 1.7 billion people make up 30% of the world's population and are of many faiths, races, languages and cultures. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the patron of the Games and HRH The Earl of Wessex CVO is the Vice patron.

The role of Commonwealth Games Federation

The role of the Commonwealth Games Federation stretches beyond facilitation of the Commonwealth Games - indeed the continuing success of the Games has helped to influence the outreach of the Commonwealth and to strengthen it’s bonds.

As a means of improving society and the general well being of the people of member nations, the Federation also encourages and assists education via sport development and physical recreation throughout the Commonwealth.

Every decision made by the Commonwealth Games Federation inherently carries the intrinsic principles of - HUMANITY, EQUALITY and DESTINY, which are the core values of the organisation.

These values help to inspire and unite millions of people and they symbolise the broad mandate of the Federation within the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Youth Games

The Commonwealth Games Federation discussed the idea of a Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games in 1997. In 1998 the concept was agreed on for the purpose of providing a Commonwealth multi-sport event for young people. The Commonwealth Youth Games are a mini Commonwealth Games attracting the best young athletes in the Commonwealth.

The inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 10-14 August 2000. 14 countries contested 483 medals over 3 days of competition in 8 sports- Athletics, Fencing, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lawn Tennis, Squash, Swimming and Weightlifting. A total of 733 athletes and team officials, 280 Technical Officials and around 500 volunteers participated in the event.

The success of these Games in Scotland gained the support of the Commonwealth Games Federation who has pledged continued support for a Commonwealth Youth Games to be held every 4 years.

The second edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games was held in Bendigo, Australia in December 2004, 24 countries participated and contested in 10 sports events spread over a period of 3 days, which included Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Lawn Bowls, Rugby 7’s, Tenpin Bowling, Swimming, Cycling, Gymnastics and Weightlifting.1000 athletes and team officials were involved in the Games in Bendigo.

The III Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in Pune, India 2008.It is for the first time in history that Commonwealth Youth Games are being held in Asia, in India. The city of Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra and a fast growing Metropolis, will host the 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games between 12 - 18 October in 2008 with the for 9 disciplines; Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

Over 1,300 athletes and 350 Officials from 71 countries will participate in the games. It is for the first time that this multi-sporting event is going to be held at a single venue – the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune.

Image & Look

The unique look and image created for the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 reflect the heritage of the host city and state. The logo created is a result of an aesthetic blending of culture and modernity. The seal carrying the host city name is formed from the confluence of the city values and the historical seal of the great Maratha king, Shivaji Maharaj.

The seal thus signifies the intrinsic ethos of the city - an amalgamate of the old and the new.

The Pictograms

The pictograms used are also an extension of the same concept, wherein a balance is sought, and the rich cultural heritage is ably balanced with the use of modern day graphics. The result is marvellous, the pictograms for the Commonwealth Youth Games have been derived from the tribal art form of Warli and have the sleekness of the pictograms of Munich Olympic Games.

The Mascot

The mascot of the III Commonwealth Youth Games Pune 2008 is the younger brother of 'Shera', the mascot of the Commonwealth Games 2010. His name is “Jigrr”. He is young, impish, playful, mischievous, intelligent, sporting, alert and full of life, all set to energize Pune for Commonwealth Youth Games 2008. Incorrigibly competitive and incredibly brave, he is oozing with confidence and the twinkle in the eye reflects his 'I can do it' attitude. Jigrr is an amalgam of the Hindi word "Jigar", which implies courage and the sound of a tiger roar (grrr...). Jigrr is also phonetically similar to Tiger.

Jigrr will not only promote the Youth Games at Pune but also spread his enthusiasm for sports among the youth of India. He is here to spread pure joy of youth and give a smile to everyone.

Colour Waves

The vibrant colour waves which form a major part of the Commonwealth Youth Games identity demonstrate the ethos of the games. Each colour represents core values that each participating member and the host city stand by. The colour waves stand for pride, achievement, celebration, harmony and joy. They convey the dynamic nature of the city and its youth; the overlapping waves portray the interaction amongst the participating countries. The whole concept revolves around enthusiasm and sheer energy which is embodied in the youth. The event being specially conducted for youth the colour waves aptly symbolise this spirit of enthusiasm and energy.

The seal, the pictograms and the colour waves together lend a classy, youthful energetic, dynamic and contemporary look to the entire event. They encapsulate the intrinsic idea of the Commonwealth Youth Games and thus create an outstanding identity for the multi-sporting event to be held in Pune in 2008.

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