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The Queen's Baton en-route to India for the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, today reached the Turks & Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. The Baton reached the picturesque island by air and later travelled to a small island known as Salt Cay by boat where it was relayed by enthusiastic Batonbearers.

The Baton was received by Rita Gardiner, President, Turks and Caicos Islands Commonwealth Games Association and Regional Vice President of the Caribbean Fortuna Belrose. The Indian community residing in the Island also came out in large numbers to welcome and cheer the Queen's Baton and the Batonbearers.

Lea Astwood, a shooter (small bore and rapid fire pistol) and Turks & Caicos Islands' first competing athlete in the Commonwealth Games (1972) became the first Batonbearer of the day. He was followed by his son Edwin Astwood, weightlifting coach and his daughter Kahlila Astwood, karate coach with some school children and the members of the Indian community of Grand Turks.

The Baton was also welcomed by eminent political personalities and officials from the island. H.E. Governor of Turks & Caicos Islands, Gordon Wetherell, Dr. Beatrice Fulford - Permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports, Mrs. Rita Gardiner, President, TCICGA were part of the large group at the welcome ceremony.