Revisting 28K crore sporting disaster called Commonwealth Games

This month marks the 1st Year anniversary of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games, and as Indian Sports/Business enthusiast it was my duty to revisit the disaster and re assess pre-event promises, infrastructure and whereabouts of the officials involved in potentially World’s biggest sporting disaster bringing shame to India.

Suresh Kalmadi smiling before CWG

One year ago we were made aware of the bad management and organization of the games prior to the opening ceremony. Some of the highlights were the accommodation at the village, walls cracking, ceilings falling down and the infamous footbridge disaster. However, amidst all the controversies the event got off to a spectacular start and we were all really proud of what we saw on the telly.

Throughout the event, everything bad associated with the event was forgotten thanks to Team India’s performance. All was going well and the performances at the events were the talking point for the media until the blunders by the President of the OC at the closing ceremony speech. That was the defining moment, the final nail in the coffin and beginning of hard days for the OC.

One year on and after mud slinging by the politicians, ministers, organizing committee resulting in change of Union sports minister, investigations, Income tax raids and arrests – this is my assessment of the games and the Organizing committee members.

Top 5 ‘Where are these’ questions and answers

1. Giant Balloon – which was worth INR 70 Crore’s is now sitting some where in the stadium warehouse eating dust. There is a joke going on that the stadium is now the worlds most expensive junk yard!

2. Legacy promises – What legacy promises? They are gone with the wind!

3. Sports Village – The ultra expensive apartments are yet to be handed over to people who have paid for them. This process will take ages and not much is expected to happen soon.

4. India’s reputation – Is in tatters and we have also screwed up Sri Lanka’s chance of bidding for future Commonwealth Games. After the Delhi games India can forget about hosting any big sporting event unless it’s Cricket of course.

5. Where are the OC members today – The chief of the OC currently in jail for Commonwealth games financial irregularities in contracts. His wing man (wrong choice) Lalit Bhanot, an ex Physical Education Director turned secretary-general to Suresh Kalmadi has now extended his connect with Suresh Kalmadi by becoming his mate in Jail No.7 in Tihar. Shiela Dikshit, however has managed to stay away from the madness by cheekily blaming everything on the Core OC – Action against her involvement has gone unquestioned. MS Gill, one of the oldest members of parliament heading sports and youth ministry (HOW IRONIC!) has been removed from his post (THANK GOD for that!). Jaipal Reddy, the then Union minister for Urban Development was hand picked by our PM to head the Group of ministers on Commonwealth games – He failed miserably to maintain sanity of the games and now handed a new portfolio and I suppose is living a stress free life. Mike Hooper- CEO Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) , apparently holds stakes in several foreign companies that were awarded contracts for the games and is still the CEO of GGF.

Credits – Norris Pritam