Commonwealth Games: Doordarshan to complete preparations by August end

Despite getting venues late for the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held in New Delhi from October 3-14, Doordarshan will complete all preparations for telecasting the mega sporting event in high definition format by August end, a top DD official said here today.

"Our target was to start preparations for the telecast of the games from April and finish it by June. But we have got the venues very late therefore, things have spill over to August as our work starts only when the venue is complete," Doordarshan director general (DG), Aruna Sharma said.

The DG arrived here yesterday to launch the Environment and Science Communication course jointly launched by Madhavrao Sapre Newspaper Museum and IGNOU.

"Now that we have got the venues, we have started our work. Everything has been mapped on the spot. Camera positions are identified and cabling is almost 30-35 per cent over. Some construction work is needed to be done according to our requirement but by August end everything will be ready," the DG said.

Problems like lighting arrangement and shadows among others are pointed out and corrective measures are also being taken by the concerned authorities, she said.

For the first time in India Doordarshan will telecast the event in the High Definition Television (HDTV) format. It will be a big change for the people as it involves far superior quality than the standard format, the DG said adding private players like Airtel, Reliance and others are now also switching over to HDTV mode.

"India will make a beginning into the HDTV format from the Commonwealth Games like in Asiad (1982) when we have made a beginning into the colour TV mode," the DG said.

Referring to the training part, she said that training of the Doordarshan staff is already complete. "They are mainly associated with the transmission of the games."

Doordarshan staff will telecast only three games --boxing, weight lifting and wrestling -- under the guidance of the Satellite Information Service (SIS) Live.

Rest of the games will be covered by SIS team which will be deploying 1200 personnels for the job while Doordarshan and AIR combine will depute 400 persons on the job, Sharma said adding another 100 will be deployed at the Broadcasting Centre.

The trial test of transmission of games from the venues will begin from September 26 which will be totally an internal affair. The trials will cover everything from start to finish, the DG said.

Referring to the Rs 366 crore budget provided to the Doordarshan for the coverage of the Commonwealth Games, she said that it is enough for the event and things will be done as planned within it.

The Commonwealth Games will feature 17 sports, with around 8,500 athletes and officials from 71 Commonwealth Games Federation member countries expected to to take part in the mega sporting event.