There is some relief within the New Zealand Commonwealth Games camp that the Delhi event is finally underway.
The Silver Ferns shooter Irene van Dyk led the New Zealand team of about 150 into Delhi's main stadium as the 19th Commonwealth Games were officially opened on Monday morning.
The teams from the 71 participating nations walked into the stadium early to watch a spectacular opening ceremony which starts the next 11 days of competition.
The former New Zealand hockey player David Kasoof is now a member of the athlete support staff in Delhi and he walked in the opening ceremony and says it's good to finally have the Games begin.
Kasoof says that about a week ago expectations were low that this point would be reached so it was great to sit back and watch a superb event.
New Zealand will compete in 10 sports on the opening day with the highlight being Moss Burmester attempting to defend his 200 metre butterfly title at the swimming pool.
