Commonwealth Games Watch

Motorway madness

Avoiding long-haul truckers, slow-moving caravans and tractors is not an ideal warm-up for a Commonwealth Games cycling time trial, but that is exactly what four members of Sri Lanka’s cycling team were confronted with on Wednesday when they decided to go on a training ride… down one of Scotland’s busiest motorways. The four were spotted on their bikes in the inside lane of the M74 before police stopped them and told them they were breaking the law. AGENCIES

Local talent

If Chico Mohammed and Ali Shan Muzahir win gold for Pakistan in the lawn bowls competition, they will not have any problem finding somewhere to celebrate. The two men will head straight to Alishan Restaurant in Glasgow’s Mount Florida district that they have jointly owned for several years.

The pair are top players on the UK circuit, but neither had represented the country of their births until the call came through from Pakistan a few months ago.

“I think they only picked us because they know we can’t claim any travelling expenses,” said Mohammed. AGENCIES

Hoping to be on song

India’s Parupalli Kashyap has his sights set on one of Glasgow’s many karaoke bars should he win gold for India at the Commonwealth Games.

The 27-year-old, who competes in the men’s singles and mixed team badminton events, says he plans to celebrate by crooning if he can hit the right notes on the court.

“If I win gold I will be in the mood to sing. Whenever I get a chance, I like to sing. I love singing,” the second seed explained.

“I like all the Bollywood music but I enjoy a lot of English music too. There is no particular first choice. If I can I will look for a karaoke bar in Glasgow after the Games.”

Despite recently dislocating his left shoulder, Kashyap believes he has enough to beat Malaysian medal favourite Chong Wei Feng and the rest of the field in the single draw.

“I have a tough draw but I expect to be in the final and win this time,” he said. “I have lost to the top seed (Chong) a couple of times but I think I have the game to beat him.” REUTERS