Games panel looks at star-spangled cast to promote October event

Akhtar is incidentally also on the panel in charge of designing the opening and closing ceremonies for the event,along with Shyam Benegal and Prasoon Joshi.

On Sunday,the OC held a Green Mela with NDTV at Central Park in Connaught Place. Their branding partners are Network 18.

Pledging support for the Games,Khan said,“The CWG is round the corner and we as Indians should do everything possible to make our guests,coming from all over the world,feel welcome and comfortable.”

Akhtar said he wished the country “all the very best” as it is hosting the Games for the first time.

Last October,the OC had sent out invitations to 17 celebrities to be brand ambassadors for the Games. At present,letters have been sent to both Bollywood stars as well as sportspersons. While none of the current cricketing heroes has made it to the list,the OC has approached erstwhile cricket stars Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar. Pugilist Vijender Kumar,chess player Vishwanathan Anand and golfer Jeev Milkha Singh are in the list. Tennis stars Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have been invited,as has been shuttler Saina Nehwal.

The bollywood bouquet includes music director A R Rehman,who has been selected thanks to his new-found international status after the Oscar win. Shah Rukh Khan,Deepika Padukone,Nana Patekar,John Abraham and Preity Zinta are also among the invitees.

The OC is,meanwhile,tightlipped about who among the 17 have finally accepted the

invitation.