The Delhi 2010 Flag Handover Ceremony, which sees Glasgow officially become the next host city in 2014, will be performed in front of 60,000 spectators at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and an estimated one billion people worldwide.

The 352 cast members from all over Scotland are flying out here ahead of the eight-minute performance as they make their final preparations for the historic moment.

The cast come from all walks of life, represent many ages and the majority of them have little or no performance experience.

In fact, for a lot of the 352, it is the first time they have travelled outside of Europe but Salmond feels sure their performance will showcase the best of Scotland's heritage and history while giving a flavour of the Games in four years' time.

Salmond, who here for the Closing Ceremony, told insidethegames: "Three years ago, when we won the right to host the 2014 Games in Sri Lanka, we were really delighted to have received the honour of holding such a prestigious sporting event and so much planning has already gone in to making sure that Glasgow is a success.

"That starts with the Handover Ceremony at the end of the Games and as Delhi draws to a climax, you really can feel that tangible sense of excitement as well as responsibility that is now on us.

"It really is a special feeling being Scottish out here in Delhi knowing that we are about to take on the mantle of hosting the Commonwealth Games.

"I'm sure our performers will do a great job at the Closing Ceremony in portraying a bit of what Glasgow 2014 will be all about."

John Scott, chief executive of Glasgow 2014, added: "The cast have travelled from all over Scotland to proudly represent their country.

"Each volunteer has spent months preparing for what will truly be a once in a lifetime experience and I can't wait to see all the hard work in action on the field of play."

Contact the writer of this story [email protected]


Related stories
October 2009: London company appointed by Glasgow 2014 to handle Handover Ceremony in Delhi