The 2010 Commonwealth Games have received another major bail-out, this time from the Indian government.

In June, the local government in Delhi stepped in with an extra US$185 million contribution to the infrastructure for the competition. Now the national government has upped its own contribution by approximately US$280 million.

"The Commonwealth Games present the country with an opportunity to showcase our potential as an emerging Asian power," said finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, who announced the investment while presenting the federal budget for the next year in parliament. In total, the Games will receive more than US$700 million in government funding.

The 2010 competition will be the first time the Commonwealth Games have ever been held in India. The Games, held every four years, feature the best athletes from the 53 states which make up the Commonwealth of Nations, including Canada, Australia and South Africa as well as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.