Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell has expressed optimism that Delhi will put up a first-class show as host of the XIX Commonwealth Games later this year.
"Things are in great shape. We had hoped all the venues would be ready ahead of time so we could test them but they will be completed ahead of the start of the Games," he said at a reception hosted by Jamaica’s Indian Community to celebrate the Queen's Baton Relay 2010 Delhi's visit to Montego Bay. Mr Fennell promised that the Thyagaraj Stadium (pictured above) where the netball event will be held will impress.
The line up for the UK’s 2009-10 Co-operative Netball Superleague was decided this week, when Northern Thunder defeated close rivals Leeds Carnegie 61-39 in the latest round of matches. The Thunder win means that Leeds Carnegie can no longer draw level with them, or overtake them, before the end of the regular season, and ensures that Thunder will qualify for their first play offs in the competition, where they will face Surrey Storm, TeamBath and Mavericks, who have also qualified.
The game against Leeds provided Thunder coach Mike Greenwood with the opportunity to give court time to new signing Anastacia Wilson (pictured) for the first time this season. Wilson, 35, has more than international caps for Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) as a shooter and the tall international is hoping for more exposure to the English style of play ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, for which T&T has qualified.
Another Caribbean star, Jamaican international defender Kasey Evering returned to competition this week, lining up in an unfamiliar position - GA - for Tivoli Gardens in the JNA/Berger Paints Superleague. Sidelined since the World Netball Championships in 2007 with a severe knee injury, Evering was played in attack to ease her back into competition after two surgeries, and she rewarded her side with 18 goals from 24 attempts as Tivoli Gardens cruised past Skibo A 55-22. In the other match in this round of competition, champions Waulgrovians were too strong for new side Cibo, emerging 48-30 winners.
In Uganda, five time club champions NIC retained their national club title last weekend. Undefeated throughout the round-robin competition, NIC’s captain Betty Namukasa and shooter Peace Proscovia were the stand out players for the insurance company’s side. Meanwhile, St Mary’s Kitende retained the national girls’ title, defeating 12 other entries.
Reigning ANZ champions Melbourne Phoenix made it two wins from two games in the 2010 competition after overcoming pre-season form side the Queensland Firebirds 53-46. Two other teams remain undefeated, former champions NSW Swifts – 45-38 victors against Adelaide Thunderbirds – and LG Mystics – 61-50 winners against New Zealand rivals, Haier Pulse. Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic registered their first win of the competition with a 47-41 win over Southern Steel, while the West Coast Fever side was too strong for Mercury Energy Tactix in the final match of the round, emerging 62-44 winners.
Finally, Brunei’s netballers received royal patronage once again this week, when Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab' Rahaman attended and participated in the First Women Netball Open Championship 2010. After intensive competition between the 21 participating teams, the Royal Brunei Police Force defeated Ivy League in the grand final to take the title.
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