The Hindu : Games organisers leaving nothing to chance

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 12, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Games organisers leaving nothing to chance

By V. V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD OCT. 11. Unconcerned by the latest list of withdrawals which include the `Young Brigade' of Indian tennis - Prakash Amritraj, Rohan Bopanna, Harsh Mankad who preferred to take part in the Thailand ITF tournament at the same time - the officials at the Afro-Asian Games are going all out to ensure that everything is in place both at the ground level and on the infrastructure front, to ensure the smooth conduct of the Games.

According to A. S. V. Prasad, technical advisor to the State Government (Sports), the G.M.C. Balayogi Stadium will now have a giant electronic scoreboard costing Rs. 1.20 crores and the adjacent aquatic complex to be equipped with another costing about Rs. 1.40 crores. "We preferred to have permanent scoreboards as it is more viable than getting them on hire for about Rs. 40 lakhs each," he said. Similarly, the Goshamahal Police Stadium is being spruced up with change rooms of international standard and complete fencing.

The entire Lal Bahadur Stadium is being spruced up and on the request of the All India Football Federation, four make-shift rooms with all modern facilities for the benefit of the participating teams as the federation felt that it was better to have all of them close to the playing arena. Consequently, the dressing rooms renovated at the cost of Rs. 20 lakhs for the last one-day international cricket match will now be hosting the Match Commissioner and other technical delegates.

The Gate Management, Stadia & Ticketing Committee headed by G. Ashok Kumar, Director of SAAP, is taking pains to ensure total professionalism in the entire show. For instance, separate duty passes with distinct colours demarcating the area of functioning and even specifying entry points will be distributed to ensure that there is no duplicity in the discharge of duties.

For every 200 spectators, a volunteer will posted to provide drinking water sachets and guide them to some basic amenities at the venue.

In all about 7,000 volunteers and personnel staff will be issued these colourful passes.

Mr. Ashok Kumar pointed out that the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, had agreed to the proposal to let MCH put up giant screens at seven or eight vantage points to enable public have a feel of the mega sporting event. A mock rehearsal is scheduled on October 22 at the main stadium. The plans also include setting up temporary 300 tonne capacity air-conditioners at different venues. In all there will be 250 telephones at the eight venues to facilitate better coordination.

Clear instructions have been issued that under any circumstances not more than the number specified than the complimentaries or tickets will be allowed entry into the venue, especially during the opening and closing ceremonies. The VIPs can be prepared to face acute embarrassment, as the officials are determined to arrest the disturbing trend of the kith and kin of the VIPs trooping into the galleries.

Most importantly, all the volunteers will be issued relevant passes only after police clearance to avoid any embarrassment.

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Games organisers leaving nothing to chance