NEW DELHI: In a big boost to Commonwealth Games preparations, the government has removed duty on all sports goods and equipment, including fitness items, to be imported by the CWG Organising Committee and national sports federations.

The exemption from import duty has also been extended to arms and ammunition for shooting events, broadcasting equipment by Prasar Bharti and doping control equipment, the Department of Revenue said in a notification.

The Organising Committee of the CWG and National Sports Federations can now import duty free "all sports equipment and sports requisites, fitness goods equipments; team uniform/clothing; spares, accessories and consumables of the same including ammunition for shooting events."

Doping control equipment, Satellite phones/GPS, paging communication systems and other communication equipments; video/plasma screen, electronic score board for display; time control devices, stop watches; timing, scoring and result management systems; marquees; tents can now be imported duty free if they are to be used for the CWG 2010, the notification said.

All sports goods, spares, accessories and consumables of the same; Food stuff, energy drinks, isotonic, tonic water (including alcoholic drinks); pharmaceuticals and medical consumables; fitness equipments; team uniform/clothing; dining/kitchen items, office consumables stationery and gift items, souvenirs, mementoes; goods for display/exhibition/ stalls/reception were also included which can be imported duty free.