Every four years the Commonwealth Games is hosted by a member nation of the Commonwealth. This year India is hosting the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi. One of the longest relays in history, the Queen's Baton Relay is the traditional curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games.

The Queen's Baton commenced its journey at Buckingham Palace in London on 29th October 2009 and is currently traversing the length and breadth of the Commonwealth, visiting 69 out of the 71 Commonwealth nations (home to one-third of the world's population) before embarking on a 100-day national tour of India. By the end of this epic journey, the Queen’s Baton will have travelled for 340 days and covered in excess of 190,000 kilometres, passing through the hands of many thousands of individuals, across land, air, sea and on many different modes of transport, conveying its message to its final destination Delhi.

During this marathon journey the Queen's Baton will visit the smallest country per square kilometre in the Commonwealth - Malta, and the largest - Canada. It will also travel to some of the most remote places in the Commonwealth, including St Helena - an island off the west coast of Africa, which is only accessible by boat. The relay will conclude in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at the Opening Ceremony of the Games on Sunday 3rd October 2010. The Queen's Baton arrived in Singapore on Saturday 5th June 2010 and the Singapore leg of the relay was held on Sunday, 6th June 2010.

Mrs Annabel Dillon, Chef De Mission of the Singapore contingent to the XIX Commonwealth Games with the community at the India House.

The mission, whilst highlighting the Games, is to bring together, in as representative a manner, as many members of the community as possible. The Queen’s Baton commenced its journey at India House. It was presented to Mrs Annabel Dillon, Chef De Mission of the Singapore contingent to the XIX Commonwealth Games by the Chief Guest, Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and His Excellency, the High Commissioner of India, Mr T.C.A. Raghavan.

The Baton travelled down Orchard Road to the Esplanade, making stops at the Ion Orchard, the Paragon, the Plaza Singapura, the new and iconic School of Arts and SMU, the newest University in Singapore, the Swissotel and the Flyer. It travelled in several unusual modes of transport, including a dragon boat in Marina Bay, a convertible sports car along the F1 circuit and even an SBS bus. It ascended the full flight of stairs of the Swissotel Stamford hotel, and took a ride on the Singapore Flyer. The Baton was carried by the VIPs, Team Singapore athletes, disabled athletes, and children stricken with cancer and representatives from the oldest and the newest junior colleges, ending at a reception at the Ritz Carlton.

Dr Tan Eng Liang, Vice-President of the SNOC, graced the closing ceremony of the Queen’s Baton Relay. He thanked the Indian High Commission for participating in the relay and wished the Organising Committee a successful XIX Commonwealth Games.

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