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New Delhi bids for the 2014 Asian Games

By Anon, 14 November 2006

Still heaving with disgust at the vaporous propositions mapped out in the London Developments Agency's plan for the legacy of the London Olympics, exhibited at a recent 'consultation' i.e. thinly veiled PR excercise, in Hackney, London, I was only more thoroughly sickened by the reminder that the calendar for primitive accumulation stretches even further into the future than 2012.

New Dehli, a city that has been carrying out vast slum clearances (see Amita Baviskar's recent article in Mute) in preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, has put in a bid for the 2014 Asian Games.

New Delhi bids for the 2014 Asian Games

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Evaluation Committee for the 2014 Asian Games on Saturday expressed "satisfaction" with Delhi's bid.

The five-member delegation concluded its two-day visit [of ‘site checks’ and meetings with top officials, ranging from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit,] with Celso Dayrit and his team giving encouraging signals for Delhi's bid. Mr. Dayrit, a veteran sports administrator from the Philippines, said "we are overwhelmed with the presentations and the unity shown by the stake holders in their effort to get back the Asian Games."

The South Korean city, Incheon, is the only other contender for the 17th edition of the Games

Natalya Sipovich, a member of the delegation, wished Delhi success in its bid and said it would benefit people of the city to improve their style of living. "I can see there is a vision among the people," she said. The President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Suresh Kalmadi, said "It has been a long time since we hosted the Games and we do have a claim. It is not the city but the country that is backing this bid. We have the venues and infrastructure ready to successfully host the Games in 2014," he said.

From: OCA satisfied with Delhi's bid, Special Correspondent, The Hindu, 12 11 06

More at: The Hindu

Natalia Sipovich said, “The hospitality extended to us in New Delhi was warm. I wish Delhi big success.” It brought smiles on the faces of Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi and Secretary General Randhir Singh, who is also the Secretary General of the OCA.

Celso Dayrit, however, raised certain issues concerning sponsorship. “We need certain assurances (from the Government) relating to sponsorship, as it involves corporates from India and abroad,” he said.

Randhir Singh was quick to respond that it was not a difficult issue to handle.

From: Delhi on course to land 2014 Asian Games, S Kannan, Hindustan Times, 7 11 06

More at: Hindustan Times