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Irene van Dyk was an understandably popular choice when she was named as the 2010 New Zealand Commonwealth Games team captain this evening.

New Zealand team chef de mission Dave Curries announcement that van Dyk had been accorded the honour drew a rousing round of cheers from the team, and a standing ovation from van Dyks netball team-mates. It was one of from a memorable games village welcoming ceremony in Delhi.

It is a considerable honour for van Dyk, who represented South Africa for the first six years of her international netball career. She played in one Commonwealth Games for South Africa, in 1998. Delhi will be her third for New Zealand, and so far she has won one games gold and one games silver. She switched national allegiances in 2000 and hasnt looked back since. She is about to play her 100th test match for the Silver Ferns, not counting all the internationals she played for South Africa.

It seems odd to recall now that when van Dyk was chosen for New Zealand by Yvonne Willering, there was widespread criticism, with suggestions that she was nothing more than a netball mercenary. Talk like that stopped years ago. Van Dyk has given the Silver Ferns yeoman service. Despite some physical - and sometimes over-physical - attention from opposing defenders she has proved a rock for New Zealand, invariably shooting magnificently and doing all she can to encourage her team-mates. Shes 38 now, which is long in the tooth for a top netballer, and its a tribute to her determination and application that she is still among the first players chosen in any New Zealand team.

New Zealand has honoured van Dyk in many ways. She was Sportswoman of the Year in 2004 and last year was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit. But tonights announcement was particularly notable. Among her games team-mates are such noted figures as athletes Nick Willis and Valerie Adams, cyclist Hayden Roulson and swimmer Moss Burmeister. All would have been outstanding choices as team captain.

But van Dyk is a bit special. Her unfailing good sportsmanship, the fact that she has been the worlds most famous netballer for a decade yet still sets demanding standards for herself, and her willingness to be just another member of the New Zealand team are three reasons why Curries choice was so popular.

Currie said the idea team captain had a long and successful Commonwealth Games history, had the potential to do well in the current games and was the sort of personality who could inspire team-mates, someone they would be happy to go into battle behind. Van Dyk ticks every box.

The welcoming ceremony was memorable for many other reasons, too. Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand spoke well, as he always does. And the sons of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay, who conquered Mt Everest on May 29, 1953, both spoke. They invoked their fathers historic feat while wishing current New Zealand team members well in their games endeavours.

The New Zealand Games team has as its motto 29028 the height in feet of Mt Everest when Hillary and Norgay climbed it. Currie mentioned the problems the New Zealand advance contingent had encountered, especially with the facilities in the village. He said that at one point he was not sure this evenings function would even arrive. But thats all behind us now, he said, paying tribute to Indian officials who recognised the seriousness of the situation (with sub-standard conditions) and the work of the young volunteers and games staff who fixed it.

The village itself is a microcosm of Delhi. Parts of it are beautifully groomed, colourful and joyous. Other parts are unfinished, or certainly rough around the edges. But thats Delhi and it would be absurd to expect anything different.

It should not be forgotten that Indians comprise more than 90 per cent of the Commonwealth population, so for a tiny minority to be too emphatic about imposing their will can easily seem arrogant. Delhi is a vast, sprawling city with much poverty evident and naturally there are millions who live here who have other things to worry about than the Commonwealth Games. But nevertheless there is a clearly evident sense of excitement that after all the problems leading up to the festival, including security, health and village accommodation, it is about to begin.

My feeling is that the Indians will do it their way, with colour, some styleand not too much haste. An abiding memory from this evenings New Zealand team function was the performance of the Indian schoolchildren who worked for a month to choreograph and rehearse a specially-tailored dancing performance that a professional group would have been proud of.

It thats a taste of whats to come, roll on the games.


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