The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : World Military Games to be held next year

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 08, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

World Military Games to be held next year

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister promises `all help and cooperation' from State

ANNOUNCEMENT OF PLANS: Aditya Singh, General Officer Commanding- in-Chief, Southern Command, Pune, briefing the media on World Military Games 2007, at the Secretariat in Hyderabad on Thursday. - PHOTO: P.V.Sivakumar

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy has promised `all help and cooperation' from the State Government for conduct of the fourth World Military Sports and Games competitions being held in Hyderabad for 11 days from October 14, 2007.

He gave this assurance to Aditya Singh, General Officer Commanding- in-Chief, Southern Command, Pune, when the latter called on him on Thursday. The GOC-in-C earlier went around the sports facilities in the city.

Speaking to reporters, Lt. Gen. Aditya Singh said he had discussed with the Chief Minister, the issues relating to the security of participants in the games and possible traffic problems during the event. He said the prestigious event, being organised outside Europe for the first time, would see the participation of 4,000 athletes representing armies of 120 countries. While 15 events had been identified for competitions, water-sports among them would be held at Mumbai as Hyderabad lacked open sea.

As in the case of Afro-Asian games, both opening and closing ceremonies of the international event would be held at Gachibowli Stadium. It would be inaugurated by President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who is the supreme commander of the country's armed forces.

He said the choice fell on Hyderabad after a team from Rome-based Confederation of International Sports Military, a representative body of armies the world over, expressed satisfaction over the facilities available here. The CISM officials would visit the city again on September 24.

He said the Centre had sanctioned Rs. 45 crores for the event in which India would be represented by a 200-stong contingent. He complimented the State for creating world-class sports facilities in Hyderabad.

Shooting and parachuting competitions would be held at Golconda firing range and Hakimpet airport.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh