India is bidding to stage the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, it has been confirmed.

New Delhi will be competing against Sydney and Montreal to host the event, which attracts thousands of top class athletes and visitors from all over the world.

Visiting executive member of the Indian Olympic Association Rana Sodhi told rediff.com that India's formal application to stage the Games will be made on May 30.

"Australia is very keen and so is Canada," Sodhi disclosed.

"We have the advantage of staging the Asian Games in Delhi in 1982. Some renovations need to be done and the existing facilities have to be upgraded, but a lot of infrastructure has already come up since 1982," he added.

Sodhi, who is also a member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, said a lot of work and time has been invested in preparing the application.

If it is successful, there will be plenty of spin-offs for tourism, he added. Other benefits will include the creation of better facilities for the future training of Indian sportsmen and sportswomen.