Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Wrong priorities

This refers to the editorial `Getting priorities wrong,' (April 23) over New Delhi's unsuccessful bid to host the 2014 Asian Games. Union Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar is right in demanding that more attention be paid to using the available resources on improving sports facilities at the grassroots level rather than investing heavily to host international games.

B. Jayanna Krupakar,
Surathkal

Splurging of resources in conducting mega sports events without focussing on developing world-class infrastructure at the village level will only serve to massage the egos of politicians and heads of the various sports bodies.

Mr. Aiyar should be commended for taking a bold stand, contrary to the views of the IOA.

Kasim Sait,
Chennai

The stock reason for seeking to host international sporting events is that they will help create infrastructure for sports as well as for other purposes.

Bidding for the 2014 Asiad soon after hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games would have been an extravagance that India can well avoid. The lost bid is a blessing in disguise.

C.G. Senthilkumar,
Bellevue, Washington

The thinking among our sports officials is that bidding and bringing mega sports events to the country alone is sufficient to produce world-class sportsmen. Thank god, we have men such as Mr. Aiyar to prevent the misuse of taxpayers' money on misplaced priorities.

As observed by the Minister, let us first concentrate on creating infrastructure for sports at the grassroots level.

N. Nagarajan,
Hyderabad

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