Dev honoured to be part of QBR contingent

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New Delhi: Former India captain Kapil Dev and Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar on Saturday said they were honoured and privileged at being invited by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CWG OC) to be a part of Queen's Baton Relay in London on October 29.

"I am truly honoured and delighted to be part of Indian contingent for Queen's Baton Relay (QBR). Commonwealth Games Organising Committee has chosen my name and that's wonderful," Kapil said.

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee Sushil said it feels great when the government gives due recognition to other sports for their achievement.

"Now, other sports apart from cricket are also getting recognition," he said.

"It's a matter of pride for me and I am grateful to the CWG OC who has bestowed this honour on me," Sushil added.

Eleven past and present athletes, including India's first individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, will take part in the QBR to be held at the Buckingham Palace in London on October 29.

Besides Bindra, the first torch bearer among athletes, others sports persons who were bestowed with the honour are Beijing Olympic bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh,

legendary sprinter Milkha Singh, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, former All England badminton champion Prakash Padukone, Sydney Olympic bronze medallist weightlifter Karnam Malleswari,

tennis ace Sania Mirza, former squash player Misha Grewal and hockey great Dilip Tirkey.

Ten Indian Olympic Association officials and 15 other "workforce" will also accompany the athletes, making the total Indian contingent to 36.

Sushil, meanwhile, said he will leave no stone unturned in his quest for a gold during next year's Commonwealth Games here.

"I had won a bronze in the Olympics and now I'll go for the gold in the Commonwealth Games. I am working hard in that direction. I will not settle for anything else than gold, it's

about the country's pride," he said.

Kapil also wished Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men good luck ahead of their seven-match One-Day series against Australia starting at Vadodara on Sunday.

"Good luck to them (India) for the series against Australia," he said.