Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games set to leave a legacy:
Suresh Kalmadi
After a plethora of controversies, scandals and financial scams, Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games are ready to go and for a change, the Chairman of Organizing Committee, Suresh Kalmadi is beaming with confidence.
In a real move of defiance, Kalmadi defended the preparations and said that these Commonwealth Games will leave a legacy to the people of India as well as millions of fans all over the world who would be glued to the captivating action that has been promised
by the presence of some of the leading athletes in various disciplines.
Kalmadi made the claim during a speech at the Global Sports Summit: Turf-2010 in New Delhi. He was steadfast amid all the controversies surrounding the mega event including the financial irregularities. Reports suggest that an inquiry is currently underway
into the mismanagement done by his office (CGOC).
A whopping $6 billion budget has been spent on the Games and the money has mostly been used for improving infrastructure facilities including a new airport terminal, renovation and extension of metro railway network, widening of highways and construction
of flyovers in the Indian Capital. A massive clean-up operation is also underway around the city as well as the venues and Games Village.
Kalmadi thinks that the infrastructure in place is as good as any in the world and the event was set to leave a legacy for the nation. "The Games are for 15 days but all the arrangements done are not for 15 days. They are for the lifetime of Delhi. It is
a great legacy for Delhi. The sports infrastructure that has come up is a great legacy for the country”
In recent days, Delhi 2010 CW Games have become a major talking point for all the wrong reasons. The problems emanated from a few infrastructure project collapses that have left a scar on India’s image. The Organizing Committee had to work overtime in the
last week especially after many of the leading contingents from around the world refused to stay in the Games Village complaining of poor hygiene conditions.
Pictures of untidy toilets and rooms with stray dogs in them were flashed across the world via the internet sending shockwaves everywhere. As a result of the mess, some of the leading athletes from different countries decided not to participate in the Games.
But, Kalmadi believes that these are mere speculations and athletes have voluntarily chosen to stay in the Games Village.
"Because they had heard so much, people were asking can we stay in a hotel?" I said, 'you have a choice. First come, stay in a hotel and send your delegation to the village and then come back. And then, wherever you want to stay, we will allow you that'.
Not one country agreed to stay in the hotel. Everybody has shifted to the Games Village. 5000 athletes have already arrived there. All the 71 countries are participating. There is not one country that has backed out," said Kalmadi.
He dispelled the reports which claimed that rampant corruption has forced an operation clean-up within the Organizing Committee. "I have said, I am ready for any inquiry for the Games, any inquiry -- but an inquiry must be held. I am saying an inquiry must
be held. And let me tell you, I am looking into only the Organizing Committee of the Games. My budget is 1,600 crores. This 30,000-40,000 crores you yell about, I have nothing to do with it," Kalmadi added.
This biggest sporting extravaganza in India in two decades will be held from 3rd to 14th October 2010.
Tags: