Was it a mistake to let India host the Commonwealth Games?
With just few days remaining in the start of the Commonwealth Games, still there are no signs of improvement. The latest blow that came to the Indian organizers was by the statement of Australian Olympic committee president, who
said that the games should have not been given to India. In his statement John Coates said that Commonwealth Games federation lacked the ability to monitor the progress of development work going on for the games. This in the end has resulted in this situation.
They were unable to meet the deadlines for construction work to be completed. The preparation of the Commonwealth Games has been plagued by a number of setbacks, which has eventually resulted in the delay of arrival of many nations to the country. Some serious
statements have also been made and the organizers have been criticized. Games are scheduled to start on the 3rd of next month. It is to be noted that Delhi was awarded the games in 2003 and work did not commence on the site until the year 2008.
The streak of pulling out from the games on an individual basis by the athletes continues. A New Zealand cyclist became the ninth athlete to pull out of the games because of safety and health reasons. Greg has won four medals in
the previous games. Earlier four British cyclists had also pulled out due to similar reasons. Among these four is the gold medalist of Beijing Olympics as well. The countdown to the games has been marred by the delays in construction, health problems in the
city with dengue fever outbreak, scandals relating to corruption, falling of the pedestrian bridge near the main stadium and the security fears which added fuel to the fire with the shooting of two tourists outside the Jamia Masjid in Old Delhi.
Though England’s team has started to arrive in Delhi but they would be staying in the hotel rooms rather than staying at the athletes’ village. It is to be remembered that the athlete village was made to accommodate some 7000 athletes
arriving from around the world but it still has not been completed. It is dirty, filthy and uninhabitable. Indian authorities have placed some 1000 workers just to complete the village and clean it up for the sake of the games. This shows the negligence and
interest of the Indians for the games which were to represent India to the whole world.
India who so far has spent some US$10 billion for the games is still under fire; mainly for corruption reasons. If the work and organization of the games would have been done in an efficient manner things might have been different.
Rumours are now suggesting that India bribed during the bidding of the games in 2003 to get the games. Although the news is still to be verified but if this is proved it will be another setback for the Indian nation. Who instead of being ashamed take pride
of what is going on? Even if India had bribed for the games it should have utilized that opportunity for its good. Ten billion dollars is a huge amount especially for a country where half of the population lives below the poverty line.
These games were supposed to generate a lot of revenue by the sales of tickets, hotel accommodations and other businesses related to the games directly and indirectly. This still has to happen. Only ten percent of the tickets have
been sold so far and there has been no increase in the trend of ticket sales. The main question that still remains unanswered is that will the games be held, on time, or will they be called off?
Tags: