Olympic gold medallist and Commonwealth Games brand ambassador Abhinav Bindra unveiled the uniforms for volunteers and paid workforce at the Organising Committee headquarters here on Tuesday.
The uniform for the volunteers consists of two pairs of polo T-shirts, lower tracks and socks, cap, pair of shoes, one sipper bottle, rain jacket and a waist pouch. The basic colour of the volunteer uniform is vibrant red and contrasting white.
According to OC Secretary General Lalit Bhanot, an “aesthetic” design has been created keeping in mind that the volunteers, who form the largest population of the workforce, will be the “face of the Games”.
A statement by the OC said the “play dry” fabric used in the uniform is suitable for working long hours since it facilitates evaporation of sweat faster, is light in weight, easier to wash and dries faster than cotton.
Mr. Bhanot said the OC is paying Rs.12.01 crore to Reebok India for the uniforms meant for the volunteers, paid staff and maintenance staff, besides bags for the athletes. Reebok India is also providing uniforms worth Rs.9.85 crore free of cost to the OC for the Queen’s Baton Relay, Team India, delegates and technical officials.
Distribution of the uniforms will start at the Uniforms and Accreditation Centre at Hall No. 7 of Pragati Maidan next week and the exercise is expected to be completed by September 20.
Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi informed that apart from Mr. Bindra, five top sportspersons have been chosen as brand ambassadors for the Games. The others are shuttler Saina Nehwal, boxers Vijender Singh and M.C. Mary Kom, wrestler Sushil Kumar and air pistol shooter Samaresh Jung.
Mr. Kalmadi said the brand ambassadors activities as part of promoting the Games will include participating in advertising campaigns, carrying the Queen’s Relay Baton to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the opening ceremony and meeting youngsters and citizens to promote the Games.
Mr. Bhanot claimed the frequent rains in Delhi will not stand in the way of the ongoing preparations, as the Games are still 40 days away.