Break the Silence
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EDIT - "Break the silence" somehow you always beat me to posting...making me edit, my posts.
India shouldn't have become CWG host:
- Thread starter Devil Soul
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GentlemanObserver
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she will be New Delhi as its supposed to be....not Athens not Beijing.
BTW - both were olympics venue and not common wealth games.
EDIT - "Break the silence" somehow you always beat me to posting...making me edit, my posts.
I meant as sucess stories... Learn to read in between the lines.
Athens= kinda failure, i was there... Man it was pants.
Beijing = Was there, it was Awesome sauce, God Damn the Chinese know how to party!
COMMONWEALTH Games Federation (CGF) chairman Mike Fennell says the respective authorities in India, and not his organisation, must deal with the recent allegations of corruption that have emerged ahead of the October 3-14 event in New Delhi.
Last week, Indian media reported evidence of corruption in the construction projects associated with the 2010 Games as well as with the staging of the Queen's Baton Relay launch which took place earlier this year.
Three senior officials involved with the Organising Committee have been suspended on corruption charges, while a fourth has resigned over a conflict of interest.
"The Games are going on at full speed and the Indian authorities have to sort out the veracity of those allegations," Fennell told the Sunday Observer in an exclusive interview.
"This is a matter that has to be investigated. We have gone publicly to say we do not want to be associated with anything that has corruption in any manner or form, but it has to be investigated in India by the authorities there," Fennell emphasised.
With only 45 days remaining before athletes start arriving, Fennell added that things needed to be dealt with forthwith.
"They have their rules and regulations and we have impressed on them that it needs to be done quickly, thoroughly, and with full transparency," he said.
Controversy continues to dog the 2010 Commonwealth Games which were awarded to Delhi at the CGF General Assembly held here in Montego Bay in November 2003.
Most of the issues have to do with whether or not the venues will be ready in time, but Fennell has pointed out that in the past there were similar concerns about venues related to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, and four years later in Beijing, China.
"I don't think Delhi is the first major Games that's dogged with a lot of controversies," he said.
"If you look back at many Games you have many controversial issues, even a small one like we have just come back from."
Fennell was referring to the recently-concluded Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Puerto Rico, Guyana, and Colombia.
In a recent interview, Jamaica's CAC Games chef de mission Garth Gayle told the Sunday Observer that the national team faced many challenges, especially in relation to accommodation in the main host city of Mayaguez in Puerto Rico.
"This is the nature of huge events of an international nature," Fennell stated.
"I'm satisfied that they have done an excellent job with the venues... there's still some work to be done, particularly with he monsoon rains that did some damage to some of the venues, but they have corrected that."
Jamaica's chef de mission to the Commonwealth Games, Major Desmon Brown, who recently returned from a security conference in the host city, is also reporting that Delhi is on track
"The major countries all left there very, very confident with the security arrangements," Fennell said.
"If anything, they are concerned with a little too much security in some areas where it will interfere with the free movement of people... we're satisfied that we can say that all reasonable measures have been taken about security of anyone who goes there," he added.
Meanwhile, Fennell was clearly upset by what he said was the misrepresentation of what he had said in an interview done via e-mail with Indian newspaper The Hindustan Times and published yesterday.
The Times reported that Fennell had given the Games Organising Committee a 10-day deadline to get its house in order before an August 18 visit.
However, Fennell told the Sunday Observer that he had months ago planned an inspection visit to Delhi to coincide with his departure from Singapore following next week's Youth Olympic Games, and that no deadline date was issued by him to the Games organisers.
Fennell said he was seriously considering doing no more interviews with the press because of the constant twisting of things to suit an agenda.
However, he said at this stage, regardless of the current issues, the Games will go ahead.
"The Games are going on and believe me, they are going to be very spectacular Games," Fennell stated.
Fennell upbeat despite row over Games - - JamaicaObserver.com
Last week, Indian media reported evidence of corruption in the construction projects associated with the 2010 Games as well as with the staging of the Queen's Baton Relay launch which took place earlier this year.
Three senior officials involved with the Organising Committee have been suspended on corruption charges, while a fourth has resigned over a conflict of interest.
"The Games are going on at full speed and the Indian authorities have to sort out the veracity of those allegations," Fennell told the Sunday Observer in an exclusive interview.
"This is a matter that has to be investigated. We have gone publicly to say we do not want to be associated with anything that has corruption in any manner or form, but it has to be investigated in India by the authorities there," Fennell emphasised.
With only 45 days remaining before athletes start arriving, Fennell added that things needed to be dealt with forthwith.
"They have their rules and regulations and we have impressed on them that it needs to be done quickly, thoroughly, and with full transparency," he said.
Controversy continues to dog the 2010 Commonwealth Games which were awarded to Delhi at the CGF General Assembly held here in Montego Bay in November 2003.
Most of the issues have to do with whether or not the venues will be ready in time, but Fennell has pointed out that in the past there were similar concerns about venues related to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, and four years later in Beijing, China.
"I don't think Delhi is the first major Games that's dogged with a lot of controversies," he said.
"If you look back at many Games you have many controversial issues, even a small one like we have just come back from."
Fennell was referring to the recently-concluded Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Puerto Rico, Guyana, and Colombia.
In a recent interview, Jamaica's CAC Games chef de mission Garth Gayle told the Sunday Observer that the national team faced many challenges, especially in relation to accommodation in the main host city of Mayaguez in Puerto Rico.
"This is the nature of huge events of an international nature," Fennell stated.
"I'm satisfied that they have done an excellent job with the venues... there's still some work to be done, particularly with he monsoon rains that did some damage to some of the venues, but they have corrected that."
Jamaica's chef de mission to the Commonwealth Games, Major Desmon Brown, who recently returned from a security conference in the host city, is also reporting that Delhi is on track
"The major countries all left there very, very confident with the security arrangements," Fennell said.
"If anything, they are concerned with a little too much security in some areas where it will interfere with the free movement of people... we're satisfied that we can say that all reasonable measures have been taken about security of anyone who goes there," he added.
Meanwhile, Fennell was clearly upset by what he said was the misrepresentation of what he had said in an interview done via e-mail with Indian newspaper The Hindustan Times and published yesterday.
The Times reported that Fennell had given the Games Organising Committee a 10-day deadline to get its house in order before an August 18 visit.
However, Fennell told the Sunday Observer that he had months ago planned an inspection visit to Delhi to coincide with his departure from Singapore following next week's Youth Olympic Games, and that no deadline date was issued by him to the Games organisers.
Fennell said he was seriously considering doing no more interviews with the press because of the constant twisting of things to suit an agenda.
However, he said at this stage, regardless of the current issues, the Games will go ahead.
"The Games are going on and believe me, they are going to be very spectacular Games," Fennell stated.
Fennell upbeat despite row over Games - - JamaicaObserver.com
even china had its share of corruption scandals during olympics
Beijing Olympic official sacked over corruption
Beijing's preparations for the 2008 Olympics have been hit by a high-level corruption scandal that has led to the dismissal of a vice-mayor accused of accepting bribes and sexual favours.
Liu Zhihua, who oversaw the construction of the sporting venues that will be used for the games, is under investigation for allegedly taking more than 10m yuan (£670,000) from developers, according to Hong Kong's Oriental Daily.
Few details about the case have been released on the mainland, but the state-run Xinhua news agency reported at the weekend that the standing committee of the Beijing municipal people's congress removed Mr Liu, who has been a vice-mayor since 1998, for "corruption and dissoluteness".
The case raises questions about the possible misuse of the $40bn (about £22bn) budget that Beijing has allocated for stadiums, roads, bridges and other public works. Swaths of traditional hutong alleyways have been demolished in the rush to modernise the city. The construction boom is expected to peak this year, when the municipal government will undertake 44 big infrastructure projects, including the "bird's nest" Olympic stadium in the north of the city.
Auditors discovered irregularities in the spending, which was supposed to have been supervised by Mr Liu's commission, the Oriental Daily noted. If found guilty of graft, he could face the death penalty.
A Beijing government spokesman played down the connection between Mr Liu and the Olympics, saying the vice-mayor lost his job mainly because of his "decadent" lifestyle
Beijing Olympic official sacked over corruption
Beijing's preparations for the 2008 Olympics have been hit by a high-level corruption scandal that has led to the dismissal of a vice-mayor accused of accepting bribes and sexual favours.
Liu Zhihua, who oversaw the construction of the sporting venues that will be used for the games, is under investigation for allegedly taking more than 10m yuan (£670,000) from developers, according to Hong Kong's Oriental Daily.
Few details about the case have been released on the mainland, but the state-run Xinhua news agency reported at the weekend that the standing committee of the Beijing municipal people's congress removed Mr Liu, who has been a vice-mayor since 1998, for "corruption and dissoluteness".
The case raises questions about the possible misuse of the $40bn (about £22bn) budget that Beijing has allocated for stadiums, roads, bridges and other public works. Swaths of traditional hutong alleyways have been demolished in the rush to modernise the city. The construction boom is expected to peak this year, when the municipal government will undertake 44 big infrastructure projects, including the "bird's nest" Olympic stadium in the north of the city.
Auditors discovered irregularities in the spending, which was supposed to have been supervised by Mr Liu's commission, the Oriental Daily noted. If found guilty of graft, he could face the death penalty.
A Beijing government spokesman played down the connection between Mr Liu and the Olympics, saying the vice-mayor lost his job mainly because of his "decadent" lifestyle
Peace Sells no one buying
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I think this will be a huge challenge, but at the end of it, I'm sure no foreign athletes would have been murdered by terrorists . . . so a step up for some other nations.
Spring Onion
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People are pointing out rather your own officials are pointing our your flaws in a bid to save your country from letting down.The most noted point which is agreed upon Indian members that its waste of money and its at the expenses of millions of Indians' plight
kamakazi attack
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India need to hang a few of these corrupt a-hole and make an example out of them
More reason india should not host a game that it can not afford.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
India raids fund for poor to pay for Commonwealth Games
Hannah Gardner, Foreign Correspondent
Last Updated: July 20. 2010 11:06PM UAE / July 20. 2010 7:06PM GMT
NEW DELHI // Out of control spending on the forthcoming Commonwealth Games has seen tens of millions of dollars siphoned off from funds earmarked for social projects to help Indias Dalits, or untouchables, according to documents obtained by a non-governmental organisation.
The Delhi State Government should have set aside the money to build healthcare facilities and schools for the citys three million Dalits, who occupy the lowest rungs of the Hindu caste system.
The funds were set aside to end the practice of manual scavenging clearing human waste from waterless toilets by hand a job many Dalits still perform.
But over the past four years, authorities spent 7.4 billion rupees (Dh580 million) of those funds on preparations for the October Games, according to government documents obtained by a Delhi-based non-governmental organisation under Indias powerful Right to Information Act.
The money was spent on the construction of two stadiums, beautifying the city, erecting street lighting and repairing major roads, according to the NGO, the Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN).
It was also used to pay for a cultural show to welcome the Queens Baton, the Games version of the Olympic torch, to Delhi.
This is criminal. We demand a full enquiry into who diverted these funds, Miloon Kothari, the executive director of HLRN, said in an interview yesterday.
Thousands of low-income families are being deprived of access to civic services and facilities as a result.
He said the national planning commission, headed by the prime minister, Manmohan Singh, had repeatedly signed off on Delhi government budgets during the period despite the misuse of funds.
The prime minister himself should explain how these games were paid for, Mr Kothari said.
The prime ministers office refused to comment on the allegations and the spokesperson for Sheila Dikshit, Delhis chief minister, could not be reached.
No doubt the Commonwealth Games is an expensive affair, but let me assure you that not a single welfare programme has been compromised, Ms Dikshit said in an interview this month. The scandal is the latest to attach itself to the Commonwealth Games, which India had hoped would act as a coming-of-age party after two decades of economic growth just as 2008 Beijing Olympics did for China.
Last September, the slow pace of construction at many of the sporting venues led the head of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Mike Fennell, to warn that the Delhi might fall short of the standard set at past Games, or worse, that it would fail from an operational perspective.
This year, a panel set up by an Indian court reported that migrant workers at Games construction sites were living and working in rock-bottom conditions with unsafe equipment, without access to proper accommodations or medical facilities, and were paid less than the minimum wage.
The report also noted allegations that 43 workers had died in construction projects, compared with six reported deaths during preparations for the Beijing Olympics.
Britains Queen Elizabeth, who heads the Commonwealth, has said she will not be able to attend the Games, the first time she has failed to attend in 44 years.
Several top athletes, such as the Olympic sprinting champion Usain Bolt, citing injuries or clashes with other commitments, have also said they will be absent.
The stadiums we have built are world class, but it is sad that some of the leading sportspersons are not coming to Delhi, the sports minister, MS Gill, said at a press conference this week.
The star athletes pulling out from the Games does not please me or the Organising Committee.
Another issue is the explosion in the Gamess cost since India bid for them in 2003, causing many to question whether a country that is home to one third of the worlds poor should be hosting such a large-scale sporting event at all. Initially, the government said the cost would be 18.9bn rupees. Today, however, the official figure is 100bn rupees, though independent experts calculate it to be closer 300bn rupees, roughly equal to one third of the amount the Indian government spent on health care last year.
Neither figure includes the cost of Delhis new international airport, which opened this month, or the extension of the metro, key elements in the citys plans to host the event.
Even without them, the Delhi Commonwealth Games are to be the most expensive to date, costing six times more than the last Games, in Melbourne in 2006.
There is no justification for spending that amount of money when a large part of the population still lack the basics such as food and shelter, Mr Kothari said.
We are told it is a matter of national prestige, but if we could show we could end poverty that would be a real source of pride.
In March, Delhi residents were told they would have to help foot the bill for the Games when taxes on petrol, cooking gas, ghee, fertilisers, wood, cooking utensils, tea, coffee and alcohol all rose sharply.
Last week it emerged that the government had asked large state-run enterprises, including the Indian Cricket Board, to sponsor the Games because there are not enough private sponsors.
Yet, none of this is dampening the rhetoric of the Indian organisers who claim that much like Indian weddings the entire event will pull together at the last minute.
It will be the best Commonwealth Games ever, said Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the Organising Committee in Delhi.
We know what we need to do to be ready. These things always happen before such mega events and there is no reason for panic. It is our promise that the Commonwealth Games 2010 will be a success.
India raids fund for poor to pay for Commonwealth Games - The National Newspaper
------------------------------------------------------------------------
India raids fund for poor to pay for Commonwealth Games
Hannah Gardner, Foreign Correspondent
Last Updated: July 20. 2010 11:06PM UAE / July 20. 2010 7:06PM GMT
NEW DELHI // Out of control spending on the forthcoming Commonwealth Games has seen tens of millions of dollars siphoned off from funds earmarked for social projects to help Indias Dalits, or untouchables, according to documents obtained by a non-governmental organisation.
The Delhi State Government should have set aside the money to build healthcare facilities and schools for the citys three million Dalits, who occupy the lowest rungs of the Hindu caste system.
The funds were set aside to end the practice of manual scavenging clearing human waste from waterless toilets by hand a job many Dalits still perform.
But over the past four years, authorities spent 7.4 billion rupees (Dh580 million) of those funds on preparations for the October Games, according to government documents obtained by a Delhi-based non-governmental organisation under Indias powerful Right to Information Act.
The money was spent on the construction of two stadiums, beautifying the city, erecting street lighting and repairing major roads, according to the NGO, the Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN).
It was also used to pay for a cultural show to welcome the Queens Baton, the Games version of the Olympic torch, to Delhi.
This is criminal. We demand a full enquiry into who diverted these funds, Miloon Kothari, the executive director of HLRN, said in an interview yesterday.
Thousands of low-income families are being deprived of access to civic services and facilities as a result.
He said the national planning commission, headed by the prime minister, Manmohan Singh, had repeatedly signed off on Delhi government budgets during the period despite the misuse of funds.
The prime minister himself should explain how these games were paid for, Mr Kothari said.
The prime ministers office refused to comment on the allegations and the spokesperson for Sheila Dikshit, Delhis chief minister, could not be reached.
No doubt the Commonwealth Games is an expensive affair, but let me assure you that not a single welfare programme has been compromised, Ms Dikshit said in an interview this month. The scandal is the latest to attach itself to the Commonwealth Games, which India had hoped would act as a coming-of-age party after two decades of economic growth just as 2008 Beijing Olympics did for China.
Last September, the slow pace of construction at many of the sporting venues led the head of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Mike Fennell, to warn that the Delhi might fall short of the standard set at past Games, or worse, that it would fail from an operational perspective.
This year, a panel set up by an Indian court reported that migrant workers at Games construction sites were living and working in rock-bottom conditions with unsafe equipment, without access to proper accommodations or medical facilities, and were paid less than the minimum wage.
The report also noted allegations that 43 workers had died in construction projects, compared with six reported deaths during preparations for the Beijing Olympics.
Britains Queen Elizabeth, who heads the Commonwealth, has said she will not be able to attend the Games, the first time she has failed to attend in 44 years.
Several top athletes, such as the Olympic sprinting champion Usain Bolt, citing injuries or clashes with other commitments, have also said they will be absent.
The stadiums we have built are world class, but it is sad that some of the leading sportspersons are not coming to Delhi, the sports minister, MS Gill, said at a press conference this week.
The star athletes pulling out from the Games does not please me or the Organising Committee.
Another issue is the explosion in the Gamess cost since India bid for them in 2003, causing many to question whether a country that is home to one third of the worlds poor should be hosting such a large-scale sporting event at all. Initially, the government said the cost would be 18.9bn rupees. Today, however, the official figure is 100bn rupees, though independent experts calculate it to be closer 300bn rupees, roughly equal to one third of the amount the Indian government spent on health care last year.
Neither figure includes the cost of Delhis new international airport, which opened this month, or the extension of the metro, key elements in the citys plans to host the event.
Even without them, the Delhi Commonwealth Games are to be the most expensive to date, costing six times more than the last Games, in Melbourne in 2006.
There is no justification for spending that amount of money when a large part of the population still lack the basics such as food and shelter, Mr Kothari said.
We are told it is a matter of national prestige, but if we could show we could end poverty that would be a real source of pride.
In March, Delhi residents were told they would have to help foot the bill for the Games when taxes on petrol, cooking gas, ghee, fertilisers, wood, cooking utensils, tea, coffee and alcohol all rose sharply.
Last week it emerged that the government had asked large state-run enterprises, including the Indian Cricket Board, to sponsor the Games because there are not enough private sponsors.
Yet, none of this is dampening the rhetoric of the Indian organisers who claim that much like Indian weddings the entire event will pull together at the last minute.
It will be the best Commonwealth Games ever, said Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the Organising Committee in Delhi.
We know what we need to do to be ready. These things always happen before such mega events and there is no reason for panic. It is our promise that the Commonwealth Games 2010 will be a success.
India raids fund for poor to pay for Commonwealth Games - The National Newspaper
Break the Silence
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Yes, they are pointing out.. Coz its Public money that has been utilized and its Public representatives' duty to well inform the common mass.There is no issue of letting down the country's image..Corruption is all around the world..Its just a step to bring more transperacy in events...
We ca not termed whole expanditure as "Waste of money", but Yes some people on higher post have tried to fill their pockets as well. If developing Infrastructure means a waste of money...then it is. This event has been a desperate reason of development of better sports infrastructure in India..Because every body knows, India still way behind in sports other than Cricket. It is necessary to secure a better future of present and potential atheletes and sportsmen and women of India.
Regards,
Spring Onion
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AOC head says India under pressure on Commonwealth Games
SYDNEY: Australia's Olympic chief says any future games bid by India will be judged on its ability to successfully host the Commonwealth Games in October.
Australian Olympic CommitteepresidentJohn Coates said Thursday that infrastructure problems and continuing security concerns over New Delhi's Commonwealth Games from Oct. 3-14 would damage India's possible bid for a future Olympics.
Coates said that the International Olympic Committee "would certainly prefer that venues are all finished one year before" and that test events are conducted.
Indian organizers, who thought a successful Commonwealth Games could be a springboard for a future Olympic Games bid, are under pressure to complete the venues in time.
Read more: AOC head says India under pressure on Commonwealth Games - India - The Times of India AOC head says India under pressure on Commonwealth Games - India - The Times of India
SYDNEY: Australia's Olympic chief says any future games bid by India will be judged on its ability to successfully host the Commonwealth Games in October.
Australian Olympic CommitteepresidentJohn Coates said Thursday that infrastructure problems and continuing security concerns over New Delhi's Commonwealth Games from Oct. 3-14 would damage India's possible bid for a future Olympics.
Coates said that the International Olympic Committee "would certainly prefer that venues are all finished one year before" and that test events are conducted.
Indian organizers, who thought a successful Commonwealth Games could be a springboard for a future Olympic Games bid, are under pressure to complete the venues in time.
Read more: AOC head says India under pressure on Commonwealth Games - India - The Times of India AOC head says India under pressure on Commonwealth Games - India - The Times of India
ChinaChina
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Commonwealth Games highlight Indian woes
By Amy Kazmin in New Delhi
Published: August 25 2010 08:08 | Last updated: August 25 2010 08:08
New Delhis weightlifting stadium, which was frenziedly built for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, resembles a bloated, mushroom-shaped storage shed with a cream-coloured corrugated tin roof.
On a recent rainy morning, workers clambered across the roof to plug leaks, while an engineer waited for permission to enter the stadium to test electrical equipment. Even with preparations for the games way behind schedule, however, security guards spent ages debating whether to allow him in because his pass had expired.
EDITORS CHOICE
India faces games chaos if it curbs BlackBerry - Aug-20.Editorial: Indias race against the clock - Aug-20.India fears Games embarrassment - Aug-16.Indian officials in BlackBerry ban talks - Aug-12.India presses for BlackBerry access - Aug-13..The farcical scene was just a symptom of the malaise afflicting Indias preparations to host the games, which have been dogged by allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and inadequate facilties.
While China impressed the world with the almost flawless Beijing Olympics, Indias preparations for the Commonwealth Games symbolise its difficulties rolling out high-quality infrastructure, one of the biggest threats to its economic ascent.
Its really exposed the sheer inefficiencies and porousness of the state, said Swapan Dasgupta, a political commentator. Its a celebration of shoddiness, which seems to be one of the features of our system.
Hopes have already been lost that the games would help India jettison its image of poverty and stifling bureaucracy and project itself as an emerging superpower.
With international athletes due to start arriving in less than three weeks, Indian authorities are scrambling to finish 17 stadiums and the athletes village. They are also trying to make the capital feel less like a giant construction site, though the last minute effort is being hampered by the heaviest monsoon rains in a decade.
Inspecting the facilities last week, Mike Fennell, the Commonwealth Games president, put on a brave face even as he expressed concern about the poor quality of the athletes accommodation, provisions for water and sanitation at the athletes village, and arrangements for ensuring hygienic food preparation.
We dont have any time left, he warned. There is a tremendous amount of detail work that needs to be done. We need to pay attention to that and be sure that whatever else is going on, we dont loose site of the ball.
New Delhi had ample notice that its hosting of the Commonwealth Games awarded to it in 2003 at the peak of global euphoria over Indias prospects as an emerging Asian power is at serious risk of falling far short of international expectations and its own.
A year ago, Indias auditor-general warned about a potential major embarrassment as projects stalled due to inadequate funds, delay in approvals, frequent changes in venue designs and poor coordination among the 21 government agencies involved.
For the London Olympics, the buck stops with Sebastian Coe and Boris Johnson, said Suhel Seth, a brand advisor. In India, the buck never stops. It just keeps floating around in the system.
Land acquisition, the bane of many Indian infrastructure and industrial problems, was another headache, which, along with lawsuits, delayed progress at several key sites, including one that authorities now admit will not be aready in time.
Allegations of corruption another Indian scourge have also dogged preparations. Assessing the 16 stadium improvements, the Central Vigilance Commission found agencies had jacked-up prices while compromising on quality. It said concrete samples from some sites had failed independent basic strength tests and alleged that test records appeared to have been forged.
Indian media have also had a field day reporting on accusations of inflated prices for supplies from toilet paper to medical equipment, and conflicts of interest between games organisers and companies awarded private contracts, which led to the suspension of three games officials earlier this month.
Meanwhile, equipment for some sports events is still stuck in customs. And Delhi is now in the grips of a serious dengue fever outbreak being blamed on the puddles and piles of rubble still lying around the sites and dug-up roads all fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Security is another worry, given Indias recent past series of terror attacks.
But with Indias Congress-led coalition awakening to the potential debacle, Sonia Gandhi, the Italian-born party leader, urged Indians last week to stop the blame game and come together to make the event a success.
The prestige of the nation is involved, she said. Afterwards, she promised, New Delhi would probe corruption allegations and spare no one found to be involved
By Amy Kazmin in New Delhi
Published: August 25 2010 08:08 | Last updated: August 25 2010 08:08
New Delhis weightlifting stadium, which was frenziedly built for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, resembles a bloated, mushroom-shaped storage shed with a cream-coloured corrugated tin roof.
On a recent rainy morning, workers clambered across the roof to plug leaks, while an engineer waited for permission to enter the stadium to test electrical equipment. Even with preparations for the games way behind schedule, however, security guards spent ages debating whether to allow him in because his pass had expired.
EDITORS CHOICE
India faces games chaos if it curbs BlackBerry - Aug-20.Editorial: Indias race against the clock - Aug-20.India fears Games embarrassment - Aug-16.Indian officials in BlackBerry ban talks - Aug-12.India presses for BlackBerry access - Aug-13..The farcical scene was just a symptom of the malaise afflicting Indias preparations to host the games, which have been dogged by allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and inadequate facilties.
While China impressed the world with the almost flawless Beijing Olympics, Indias preparations for the Commonwealth Games symbolise its difficulties rolling out high-quality infrastructure, one of the biggest threats to its economic ascent.
Its really exposed the sheer inefficiencies and porousness of the state, said Swapan Dasgupta, a political commentator. Its a celebration of shoddiness, which seems to be one of the features of our system.
Hopes have already been lost that the games would help India jettison its image of poverty and stifling bureaucracy and project itself as an emerging superpower.
With international athletes due to start arriving in less than three weeks, Indian authorities are scrambling to finish 17 stadiums and the athletes village. They are also trying to make the capital feel less like a giant construction site, though the last minute effort is being hampered by the heaviest monsoon rains in a decade.
Inspecting the facilities last week, Mike Fennell, the Commonwealth Games president, put on a brave face even as he expressed concern about the poor quality of the athletes accommodation, provisions for water and sanitation at the athletes village, and arrangements for ensuring hygienic food preparation.
We dont have any time left, he warned. There is a tremendous amount of detail work that needs to be done. We need to pay attention to that and be sure that whatever else is going on, we dont loose site of the ball.
New Delhi had ample notice that its hosting of the Commonwealth Games awarded to it in 2003 at the peak of global euphoria over Indias prospects as an emerging Asian power is at serious risk of falling far short of international expectations and its own.
A year ago, Indias auditor-general warned about a potential major embarrassment as projects stalled due to inadequate funds, delay in approvals, frequent changes in venue designs and poor coordination among the 21 government agencies involved.
For the London Olympics, the buck stops with Sebastian Coe and Boris Johnson, said Suhel Seth, a brand advisor. In India, the buck never stops. It just keeps floating around in the system.
Land acquisition, the bane of many Indian infrastructure and industrial problems, was another headache, which, along with lawsuits, delayed progress at several key sites, including one that authorities now admit will not be aready in time.
Allegations of corruption another Indian scourge have also dogged preparations. Assessing the 16 stadium improvements, the Central Vigilance Commission found agencies had jacked-up prices while compromising on quality. It said concrete samples from some sites had failed independent basic strength tests and alleged that test records appeared to have been forged.
Indian media have also had a field day reporting on accusations of inflated prices for supplies from toilet paper to medical equipment, and conflicts of interest between games organisers and companies awarded private contracts, which led to the suspension of three games officials earlier this month.
Meanwhile, equipment for some sports events is still stuck in customs. And Delhi is now in the grips of a serious dengue fever outbreak being blamed on the puddles and piles of rubble still lying around the sites and dug-up roads all fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Security is another worry, given Indias recent past series of terror attacks.
But with Indias Congress-led coalition awakening to the potential debacle, Sonia Gandhi, the Italian-born party leader, urged Indians last week to stop the blame game and come together to make the event a success.
The prestige of the nation is involved, she said. Afterwards, she promised, New Delhi would probe corruption allegations and spare no one found to be involved
d14gtc
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We should all together must condemn it by not supporting and going as visitors either.Becoz by acknowledging we would also be the part of game played by these A$$*&^%s.
The ruling party could initiate by executing the culprits but they didnt.... YOU CAN SEE THE OBVOIUS REASON.
Now its our responsibility to show them when we can provide them another five years to term.We could also snatch their W&*^s out of their mouth.
We are not here only to provide taxes,souring high prices for their own pockets n corruption......... DO THE NATION n WE DESERVE ONLY THIS.. Plz Think and Act.
The ruling party could initiate by executing the culprits but they didnt.... YOU CAN SEE THE OBVOIUS REASON.
Now its our responsibility to show them when we can provide them another five years to term.We could also snatch their W&*^s out of their mouth.
We are not here only to provide taxes,souring high prices for their own pockets n corruption......... DO THE NATION n WE DESERVE ONLY THIS.. Plz Think and Act.
Pride
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Janaji, get used to it now. Flowing money, Idiot beaureucrates, Politics in the game and above to all corruption has already ruined games in South Asian countries and near no where I can see a rectification on all these.
Spring Onion
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did they miss the deadline again ????????
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