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Tanzanian President Mr Jakaya Kikwete revealed he had interrupted his vacation plans because of the visit of the Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi to his country and said the baton would serve as a reminder for his country's athletes to start training harder as the start of the XIX Commonwealth Games in Delhi is drawing closer.

At a function on Tuesday, Mr Kikwete urged Tanzania's sportspersons to strive to improve the country's tally of medals from previous Games and said the athletes must aim to break at least one world record in Delhi. He thanked High Commissioner of India in Tanzania Mr K V Bhagirath for being the frontrunner in the lovely event and said he had taken a break from his vacation upon his insistence.

Commonwealth Games Tanzania Secretary General Mr Filbert Bayi also urged the sports associations, athletes and coaches to start training early so that Tanzania could win medals at the Games. "There are just 10 months to go before the games kick off in Delhi," he said, underscoring the importance of the arrival of the high-profile sporting symbol as a wake-up call for sports associations and their respective athletes to embark on serious preparations.

Earlier, Commonwealth Games Tanzania President Gulam Rashid and High Commissioner Mr Bhagirath received the baton at the Uhuru Stadium where a colourful cultural reception was held with the Indian and Tanzanian communities performed traditional dances. The stadium was buzzing despite it being the holiday season.

After the cultural show, the baton was taken in a spectacular relay with more than 200 Batonbearers, including National 800m record holder Samuel Mwera and Commonwealth Youth Games 3000m bronze medallist Mary Naali, taking part. The 8km relay lasted four hours and the Bataonbearers, with dozens of other athletes running along, were supported by uniformed police personnel.

Traffic on the route had almost come to a halt due to overwhelming response from the community. Later, the baton was at a dinner in India House where a number of dignitaries, including the High Commissioners of many countries were present.

The baton is set to leave for Uganda on Wednesday.