Snakes, disease, construction delays over - Commonwealth Games, New Delhi finally begin
The Commonwealth Games have finally begun in New Delhi as the city witnessed a marvellous opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday. Over the last few weeks, everything that the CWG Organising Committee had touched turned into a disaster.
The unfinished buildings, half-built bridges, stinky toilets, stained bed sheets, broken beds, messy roads and above all, mosquitoes armed with dengue - a management disaster in magnanimous proportions to say the least. Almost everything in New Delhi had not
only horrified athletes from around the world but had also posed serious questions on India’s ability to organize such a large event.
With a herculean effort, the efficient intervention of the Indian Army along with the support of 20, 000 volunteers, India finally kicked off the event in spectacular fashion. People from around the globe are now admiring and talking about the display of
India’s rich and pluralistic culture. As Delhi has bounced back, the Delhi government along with the central administration is being lauded for taking up with the administrational and organizational issues head on. Besides the civil administration, if there
is someone praiseworthy for its efforts, it is the Indian army which put up the Bailey bridge within just six days. The way feedback from teams around the world has instantly changed, it shows that Delhi has finally succeeded in honouring its prestigious guests.
Though India has initially shunned off the critics, it still has ten long days to go for proving its potential and securing its prestige. Sharing his views, an official of the organizing committee said, “now is the time for India to make or break. If India
can prolong the spirit with which it has taken up the start, we would be acclaiming the success from around the world, and which would lay a strong foundation for us to bid for the Olympics Games in the future.”
As the competitions are underway, the attention will automatically turn from the poor performance of the organizers in the last months to the medal tally. A plus point over here is that despite of the world wailing over the absence of renowned athletes from
different disciplines, the New Delhi Commonwealth Games have attracted the largest number of athletes from all corners of the world. According to statistical data released by officials, 6,700 athletes participated in what is dubbed as the second biggest sports
event of the world at New Delhi. The last Commonwealth games event held at Melbourne could only attract 5,766 players.
Besides a large number of athletes participating from other countries, India itself is being represented by a contingent of 619 players. The way team India had been making rigorous preparations for the event, it seems that it would at least double the medals
which it earned during the event held in 2006 (altogether 50 in number). Despite the fact that India does not meet world standards in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing and archery, it is definitely aiming to do well in other sports like shooting
and hockey. With many top athletes not taking part in New Delhi, team India can perform a little better in terms of medals.
As Delhi has earns support from the higher ups of the Commonwealth Games, India can improve its image in a bid to prepare a strong case for hosting the Olympic Games.
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