Three months ago, the Common wealth Games in New Delhi closed on a triumphant note with many Indians daring that the event had proven pessimists wrong. Organisers were delighted the stadiums had hosted 11 days of international, multi-sport action without any of the major disasters predicted by many observers. But such excitement faded quickly after the 6,000 athletes left the city, with attention focusing instead on the vast budget, which ballooned to an estimated $6 billion dollars, and a series of corruption scandals. The Games' sporting legacy has also been hard to recognize as venues remain locked up and public eagerness dissipates despite an impressive medal haul by the host nation, which came second in the table behind Australia.
"These venues will turn into white elephants to be eaten by ants," warned O.P Bhatia, who was in charge of the new netball arena that he complains has remained idle since the end of the Games on October 14.The $63-million Thyagaraj Stadium, now handed over to the city government's education department, is an all-round sports complex that Bhatia grumbles is still not open to the limited community or students."The main Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium also lies idle and it will go to ruins if not utilised," Bhatia said.The Nehru stadium, built in the 1980s, was given a major upgrade and a stunning new roof to ready it for the athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies. But its future role is uncertain.
"India did well in the Games and if these facilities are freely available to our young men and women then the country would progress its performance in international events," said Bhatia, now a temporary sports administrator. Many sports in Delhi are also struggling to reap the benefits from the Games, which were meant to promote exercise and healthy living."We are begging for training space and although there is so much available in the new stadiums, nothing is being given to us," Amateur Boxing Federation secretary general P.K.M. Raja told AFP.The Sports Authority of India (SAI) said the venues were still in limbo due to red tape but promised rapid action.
"These venues will turn into white elephants to be eaten by ants," warned O.P Bhatia, who was in charge of the new netball arena that he complains has remained idle since the end of the Games on October 14.The $63-million Thyagaraj Stadium, now handed over to the city government's education department, is an all-round sports complex that Bhatia grumbles is still not open to the limited community or students."The main Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium also lies idle and it will go to ruins if not utilised," Bhatia said.The Nehru stadium, built in the 1980s, was given a major upgrade and a stunning new roof to ready it for the athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies. But its future role is uncertain.
"India did well in the Games and if these facilities are freely available to our young men and women then the country would progress its performance in international events," said Bhatia, now a temporary sports administrator. Many sports in Delhi are also struggling to reap the benefits from the Games, which were meant to promote exercise and healthy living."We are begging for training space and although there is so much available in the new stadiums, nothing is being given to us," Amateur Boxing Federation secretary general P.K.M. Raja told AFP.The Sports Authority of India (SAI) said the venues were still in limbo due to red tape but promised rapid action.
No comments:
Post a Comment