Indo-Canadian couple raise money for Canadian team for Commonwealth games
One of British Columbia’s big real estate brokers, Avtar Bains, organised a fund-raiser to the Canadian team to the next Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
He and his wife, Monika Deol, a former TV host, joined many top athletes at the event in Vancouver. At least $5 million is required for the team of about 380 Canadians. The husband-and-wife team hoped to raise at least $100,000 at the event.
“The 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games is a tremendous opportunity to strengthen the Canada-India relationship through sport,” said George Heller, President of the Commonwealth Games Foundation of Canada.
“Avtar, Monika and their committee of volunteers have done a fantastic job with this event, and we are so thankful to the Vancouver business community for its support of the athletes who will represent Canada on the international stage in India in October 2010.”
Among the athletes who attended the event were Charmaine Crooks, Commonwealth Games gold medalist and five-time Olympian (athletics), Annamay Pierse, Olympic swimmer, world championship silver medalist and candidate for Canada’s 2010 Commonwealth Games team, Jasvir Singh, Olympic weightlifter and candidate for Canada’s 2010 Commonwealth Games team.