Singh when you're winning

After enduring criticism in the run up to the Commonwealth Games and during the opening week, the Delhi organisers and residents redeemed themselves in style.

High up the list of criticisms has been the lack of interest shown by the general public and correspondingly low levels of attendance. However, the party was ignited by the hockey players as they faced up against arch-rivals, Pakistan.

The show that everyone wanted to watch filled the 19,000-seater Dyan Chand Stadium with many fans left outside unable to get a ticket.

India entered the match as clear favourites. During the World Cup earlier in the year Pakistan finished last and subsequently lost a number of their more experienced players to humiliation and retirement. However, the fresh faces bring with them younger legs and more enthusiasm, hinting also at new tactics.

However, any hope they brought into the game quickly vanished as India showed that experience counts as they established a 4-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes. Penalty corner expert Sandeep Singh was the architect with two goals and two assists.

Pakistan fought back with two goals as India started to rest some of their key performers. However, India regained the initiative at the start of the second half with two more quick goals and ultimately ran out comprehensive 7-4 winners.

The hockey stars then followed this up with a thrilling, controversy-filled, victory against, their former Imperialistic rulers, England.

Facing a 3-1 deficit they first leveled before snatching a berth in the finals with a penalty shoot-out victory, with the English players claiming the winner should have been disallowed for an illegal flick.

Unfortunately, Australia took advantage of the weary Indian legs in the final for a comfortable 8-0 gold medal performance.

However, by this time the party had ignited throughout the various Delhi arenas.

Full crowds could be found at the weightlifting, boxing, badminton and even the athletics stadium for the final two days as India finally got behind its athletes.

Added excitement came in a thrilling battle for second place in the medals table with the pendulum swinging back and forth. The crowds added further spice to the occasion as they cheered for 'Anyone But England'!

By the start of the final day England were holding onto second place. However, their opportunities to extend the lead in the badminton hall were halted by Malaysia.

India's own hopes were also stuttering, leaving their own badminton stars with all the work. Women's doubles partners Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Machimanda secured a win to draw India level at 37 golds apiece.

It was all left to women's singles player Saina Nehwal. It did not look good as she lost the first set 21-19 and was 19-18 down in the second. Fortunately, an injudicious leave from Malaysia's Wong allowed Nehwal back into the tie, leveling the score in sets with a 22-20 victory.

With the vociferous Siri Fort Sports Complex fans willing her on, Nehwal swept to a 21-13 victory earning her a place among India's sporting icons as she thrust an ebullient Indian nation into a hard-earned second place in the medals table.

Also high on the list of successful athletes were the women's 4x400 relay team who secured India's first track gold since 1958 and the all-conquering discus throwers.

It was these successes that helped ignite the imagination of the Indian public the longer the Games headed towards their conclusion. But wasn't that the point?

It was well known in advance that a Third World Games would present unique challenges.

Security was one of the main concerns. Yet, more than 100,000 police ensured the event passed without incident. The Indian organisers certainly deserve credit for getting their priorities right.

Judging by the compliments from the athletes, despite initial reservations, they were also happy.

Scottish gold medal winner, cyclist David Millar stated: "Well, I'll be looking forward to Glasgow next, assuming I make it. For the moment I am appreciating Delhi, it's been fantastic, the atmosphere has been great!"

Welsh cyclist, Nicole Cooke, said ahead of the closing ceremony: "Its incredible. We've been mixing with friends and swapping badges with athletes from other countries. "All the venues have been excellent."

The closing ceremony was a befitting Indian showpiece with exactly 2,010 children showing an artistic touch with some rangoli and performers swaying to a martial-arts inspired dance before fireworks exploded into the night sky.

With a look forward to the next Commonwealth Games in Scotland in four years time, even the Indian military band provided a rousing number on bagpipes, performed before Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Sonia Ghandi and Prince Edward, representing the Queen of England.

It was a cauldron of noise, particularly when the Welsh arrived - sporting their inflatable dafodils!

From an opening ceremony that had the Australian delegation threatening to walk away in disgust, to a closing ceremony that seemed to unite the athletes and crowd, these differences mirrored a transformation seen across the event.

If the reason for taking the Commonwealth Games to Delhi was to encourage the people of India to support these new sports, then these Games have been a resounding success. Lord Coe described India's track success as 'potentially the moment that could change the course of athletics in Asia'.

There's no doubt that Delhi and India has many lessons to learn from hosting an event such as this, but isn't that one of the points?

Other events may be better organised but few will ever match the splendour and enthusiasm of Delhi, or the much sought-after legacy organisers always strive for.

Abu's favourite moment: The Gold medal netball match between Australia and New Zealand. Despite Australia building an early lead and dominating for much of the match, New Zealand clawed their way back to build a five point lead only to throw it away and squander several chances in the face of some fantastic hustling from Aussie forward Catherine Fox. Scores were tied at 47 - 47 taking the game into extra time.

Two further periods of seven minutes each way could not separate the sides with scores level at 58 - 58 leading to sudden death - the first team to go two points clear would win. This time it was Kiwi goal-shooter Maria Tutaia who held her nerve in the high-pressure atmosphere to sink the winning shot.

Absolutely sensational!