Friday, 27 February 2009

OCM Confident Of India's Ability To Host CWG




KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) expressed confidence that India are capable of completing the infrastructure and facilities in time to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games scheduled from Oct 3-14.

OCM honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said what New Delhi is facing now was similar to what Malaysia had faced when hosting the 1998 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Kuala Lumpur.

"The world is facing an economic crisis now and India too maybe facing the impact. We faced a similar situation as there was an economic crisis in 1997 but we managed to host one of the best Commonwealth Games. Similarly, India will be able to do so with its vast resources and human resource," he told Bernama here today.

Bernama reported yesterday that an Indian parliamentary panel had disclosed that the Indian capital was ill-equipped in terms of facilities to host the Games.

Sitaram Yechury, standing committee chairman for transport, tourism and culture revealed that though countdown for the Games had begun, there seem inadequate infrastructure in all sectors such as roads, airport, accommodation, surface transport, entertainment, basic amnesties, parking, information centres, security, stadiums and supply of power.

Kok Chi said the Indian government were capable of hosting world class games as the country had successfully hosted the Asian Games twice in 1951 and 1982 and other major international sporting events.

India became the second Asian country to be awarded the host job after Malaysia became the first, by hosting the Games in 1998.

The Commonwealth Games, the second biggest sporting event in the world after the Olympics, would see 71 countries that were previously under British rule and British colonies, competing in 17 sports contested.

-- BERNAMA

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