The Hindu : Sport : OCA satisfied with Delhi's bid

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 12, 2006
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

OCA satisfied with Delhi's bid

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: 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 with Celso Dayrit and his team giving encouraging signals for Delhi's bid. The South Korean city, Incheon, is the only other contender for the 17th edition of the Games.

`Overwhelmed'

Addressing media-persons here, 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." Delhi had hosted the inaugural Games in 1951 and then in 1982.

Mr. Dayrit emphasised that his committee can only recommend while the bidders would have to meet with the compliances such as accommodation, infrastructure and transportation, to the satisfaction of the OCA members.

Benefit

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.

Haider Farman, who participated as an athlete in the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi, said "I came here as an athlete once and now as a part of the delegation I must say that I am convinced Delhi can host the Games again."

Enthusiasm

Praise for Delhi also came from Abdul Ghani Tabhalat. "Everyone we met was keen to get the Games to Delhi. The Games are eight years away but their enthusiasm was as if it is to be held next week. The interest for the Games was astonishing and I feel Delhi has the capability to be a good host," he said.

Kalmadi hopeful

The President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Suresh Kalmadi, hoped that Delhi would win the bid.

"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.

The OCA will vote for the 2014 Asian Games bid at the general assembly meeting in April 2007.

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

Sport