The Commonwealth Games is a multinational, multi-sport event. Held every four years, it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth  Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation that is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games.

The Firsts such event, then known as the British Empire Games, was held in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The name changed to British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954, to British Commonwealth Games in 1970 and assumed the current name of the Commonwealth Games in 1974.

As well as many Olympic sports, the Games also include some sports that are played mainly in Commonwealth countries, such as lawn bowls, rugby sevens and netball.

There are currently 53 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and 71 teams participate in the Games. The four constituent countries of the United Kingdom-England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland-send separate teams to the Commonwealth Games (unlike at the Olympic Games, where the United Kingdom sends a single team), and individual teams are also sent from the British Crown dependencies-Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man-and many of the British overseas territories. The Australian external territory of Norfolk  Island also sends its own team, as do the Cook Islands and Niue, two non-sovereign states in free association with New Zealand. Only six teams have attended every Commonwealth Games : Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. Australia has been the highest scoring team for ten games, England for seven and Canada for one.

At the 1930 games, women competed in Swimming and Diving only. In 1934 women competed in some Athletics events also.

A unique concept of games for youth of 18 years of age or less in the year of the games was mooted and the first Commonwealth Youth Games was held in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2000. 596 Athletes from 15 countries competed in 8 sports. The second Commonwealth Youth Games took place in Bendigo, Australia in December 2004. The third Youth Games was held in Pune, India from 12 October 2008 in nine sports disciplines.

Mascots for the Commonwealth Games were first introduced by the host country in 1978. They are now an integral part of the promotion and commercial success of the Commonwealth Games.

List of Mascots

Year  City  Mascot

1978 Edmonton Keyano, a Swan Hills Grizzly Bear; Keyano is a Cree Indian word

which means unity and brohterhood

1982 Brisbane Matilda,the Kangaroo

1986 Edinburgh Mac, a black "Scottie" dog

1990 Auckland Goldie the Kiwi bird

1994 Victoria Klee Wyck, an Orca (Killer) Whale

1998 Kuala Lumpur Wira, teh OrangUtan

2002 Manchester Kit, a Cat

2006 Melbourne Karak, a south-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

(Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyen).

2010 Delhi Shera,  the  friendly  tiger,  Tiger  is  the national animal of India. Shera is the elder

brother of "Jigrr" the mascot for Commonwealth Youth Games held at Pune from

12 to 18 October 2008.

As "Jigrr" the mascot fo Commonwealth Youth Games Pune, 2008, hands over the baton of the game to "Shera" his elder brother, the run up for Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 begin with flame of enthusiasm and joy. Shera welcomes you all to Delhi for Commonwealth Games 2010 with open arms and fabled Indian hospitality. We in India believe in "Atithi Devo Bhava", our guest is like God. Let us meet is Delhi in the true spirit of the Commonwealth games.

India Post is proud  to release a commemorative postage stamps on Mascot or Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India