Well it is less than 24 hours to the start of the games and Head of News Alan Perry is going throught his plans to confirm the assignments for the first couple of days. He hands me a ticket and I look at it to see that it is for the opening ceremony at the main games stadium. Words could not explain how I felt. Suffice to say it was wonderful.

One of the ways of finding specific stories on mikeshaft.com is to search by name. I have done the search of Commonwealth Games and the list is unbelievable. Some of the stories are rather tenuous but every story on my love of the Commonwealth Games is included here! I hope you enjoy! More searches on other topics will follow.

20 years ago, the BBC created a truly magnificent radio station to cover and celebrate the Manchester Commonwealth Games. The station was led by Tim Pemberton now Head of Religion at the BBC. In a wonderful party to celebrate the 20th Anniversary, many of these individuals got together to party. These are a selection of the photos of that glorious day!

Back in 2002, Manchester hosted the fabulous Commonwealth Games. And what a Joy it was! On the 10th Anniversary of the Games some of the Volunteers, Management Team and others got together in Castlefield to celebrate. This year, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary Chief Executive Frances Done moved the celebration to One Manchester and I was invited to host the event and as official Photographer. This is a small collection of photos from the wonderful event!

Today March 4th, marks the 20th Anniversary of the launch of 2002 Commonwealth Games Radio. This is part of the story on mikeshaft.com. I am moving it up to the front page.

The 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester were officially the best Games EVER! Four years on, and the baton passes to Melbourne, Australia. BBC MANCHESTER's Mike SHAFT was the official host in Manchester and now he's off to OZ... And he's keeping a diary:

The 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester were officially the best Games EVER! Four years on, and the baton passes to Melbourne, Australia. BBC MANCHESTER's Mike SHAFT was the official host in Manchester and now he's off to OZ... And he's keeping a diary:

The 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester were officially the best Games EVER! Four years on, and the baton passes to Melbourne, Australia. BBC MANCHESTER's Mike SHAFT was the official host in Manchester and now he's off to OZ... And he's keeping a diary:

The 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester were officially the best Games EVER! Four years on, and the baton passes to Melbourne, Australia. BBC MANCHESTER's Mike SHAFT was the official host in Manchester and now he's off to OZ... And he's keeping a diary:

Team England have named their men’s and women’s basketball squads who will compete for Team and Country on the Gold Coast in Australia.