China, which stunned the world by showcasing the 2008 Olympics, today backed India's ability to conduct a successful Commonwealth Games and said the government in New Delhi has made "great efforts" to host them. Conducting such a large event is a challenging job, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu said and wished India success. "I think the Indian government has made great efforts to prepare for the games. I wish it will be a successful one," Jiang said.
China is itself preparing to hold the 16th Asian Games in the southern city of Guangzhou in November this year. "No matter which country, to host such large scale games is quite a challenge," Jiang told a media briefing while responding to a question on allegations that poor facilities were being provided for Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
The unsavoury drama in a controversy-marred build up to the Games in New Delhi, and claims by the organisers that the facilities would be better than that of Beijing, generated considerable interest in the Games in Chinese official media.
China, preparing to host yet another mega sports event this year, has claimed that the Asian Games would be a shade better than the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The construction of all the facilities, including accommodation for more than 8000 athletes was finished and handed over to the organising committee on September 20.
After more than two years of construction, Games Town is ready to accommodate the expected 40,000 athletes, coaches, technical officials and members of the media from around the world for the event to be held from November 12 to 27.
Xu Ruisheng, vice-mayor of Guangzhou and executive deputy secretary-general of the organising committee was quoted by the official media here recently as saying that "the facilities for the athletes at the Asian Games are much better than at the Beijing Summer Olympic Games. "There is lots of green and it is a very good environment for the athletes," he said.
