Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010: Organizers Consider Giving Free Tickets for Attracting the Crowd
After observing the empty stadiums at Delhi Commonwealth Games, the organizers have started considering giving away free tickets to the spectators. Another possible option, in this regard, the administration dwelled upon was to fill in the stadiums with
schools’ and college students.
After a series of issues, the Delhi Games organizers had to face for building up to the games, organizing the sporting competitions, and after a splendid worldwide acknowledged ceremony, the games finally began on Monday. However, the event could not continue
having the same enthusiastic response from the crowd on the following days of the inaugurating ceremony, as many of the venues across the village were observed nearly empty. This has put a new pressure on the organizers to do with the efforts for insuring
the participation of the spectators to observe the sporting competitions. Finding no other way, the organizing body has planned to either opt for giving away the tickets for free to the under privileged or to ask the schools and college administrations to
send in their students for improving the attendance at stadiums.
While sharing his opinion, Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of local organizing committee said that they were already working upon improving the number of viewers at the stadium, however, if the efforts do not materialize in this regard, they would obviously
work upon the children from schools. The chairman further said that seeking help from the lower strata of the society could be another possible option in this regard.
While discussing the reasons for such a low level of response from the local spectators, an organizing official told the media that most of the games being played at the Delhi Commonwealth Games event did not have their roots in Indian soil. Hence, people
were bound to show no interest in them at all. “The sports like wrestling and hockey, which had been a part of Indian culture for long, are enjoying an impressive response from the spectators” said the official. While sharing his views upon a low response
from the foreign spectators, the official said that despite of the security measures they had taken, the foreigners were less likely to trust them. He said that issues like the contingent from Australia relying upon private security companies and having the
squad of federal police for their protection have sent a message to the outer world that stated Delhi’s incapability for providing the guests a reliable protection.
Giving his opinion, Michal, a cycling fan from UK told the media correspondents that the other day there was a rumour about a bomb placed at the athletes’ village. Though it was later on discovered that a 16 years old local boy called the police and lied
about the placement of the bomb, but for a moment, it had totally disrupted the life at athletes’ village. Michal further lamented
“in such a situation where rumours are constantly coming in, neither the spectators can risk their lives for watching the competition live, nor can the players concentrate on their games with a free mind”.
While there have been a host of issues constantly pouring in, a recent problem was observed when the weigh-in scales at athletes’ village instantly started giving incorrect readings. The incorrect readings had upset many of the coaches and players, particularly
the boxers who had been told to take desperate measures for reducing their weights. However, later on this problem too was rectified.
When asked about the weigh-in scales giving incorrect readings, Lalit Bhaot, the secretary general of the organizing committee completely denied accepting the incident as a major issue. He concluded his remarks by saying “there is no problem at all”.
When Mr. Fennel, the president of the Commonwealth games was approached with the view to have his say regarding the ongoing issues, he said that there had been some small issues which they had to deal with. However,
“we have assigned those issues to the right people to correct them” said the president.
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