Port Blair, Aug12: Preparations are on to host the Queen’s Baton Relay of XIX Common Wealth Games-2010 in these islands too on August 19, 2010. As per the tentative program chalked out for the conduct of the Relay, the Queen’s Baton, which is being brought by a team of officials from mainland, will arrive from Chennai at the Veer Savarkar Airport to a warm reception at 7:45 am on August 19.

The Baton Relay will start from the National Memorial Cellular Jail at 3 pm sharp covering vantage points viz Clock Tower, Model School, Bangali Club, Goalghar, Delanipur, Light House Cinema, Aberdeen Bazar (clock Tower) and culminate at the historic Netaji Stadium. About 30 baton bearers have been identified. Besides, islands sportspersons of International repute will also participate. Altogether, 80 officials and volunteers have been selected to manage the affair, official sources from Department of Sports Art and Culture informed “The Daily Telegrams” here today.

Meanwhile, a briefing for the officials, volunteers and baton bearers to apprise them of their duties and responsibilities will be held at the conference hall of the Youth Hostel on August 13 at 10:30am while a full rehearsal for the baton relay has been planned on August 16, 2010.

Besides the Baton Relay, photo sessions at the places of historical importance have been planned in the morning hours while a cultural evening will be presented at the Dr. BR Ambedkar auditorium at 7pm, the same day. The visiting officials along with the Queen’s Baton will return to Chennai on August 20.