The Hindu : Sport : ‘Too much attention on construction’

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Thursday, Jan 21, 2010
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‘Too much attention on construction’

Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: Veteran sports administrator Vijay Kumar Malhotra on Wednesday put a question mark on the steps being taken to prepare home athletes for the Commonwealth Games.

Malhotra, the President of the Archery Association of India (AAI) and a senior Vice-President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), said too much of attention and money was being devoted to construction activities in the National capital.

“The Commonwealth Games will cost the state exchequer a staggering two billion dollars. The Games is meant to showcase the brilliance of the sportspersons, but it seems to have become a hostage to construction companies, builders, hoteliers and middlemen,” Malhotra said at a press conference here.

Plummeting prize value

Malhotra also demanded an increase in government special awards for medal winners, which had been reduced over the years.

“For the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games and Busan Asian Games, the gold, silver and bronze winners were given Rs. 20 lakh, Rs.15 lakh and Rs. 10 lakh respectively. It has come down to Rs. 10 lakh, Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 3 lakh. The total savings on this front is a mere Rs. 3 to 4 crore,” he said.

“The pay scales are increasing everywhere and the price rise is steep. So, the awards should be increased,” he demanded.

Malhotra said the Government should make known how the Rs. 678 crore allotted for preparing athletes for the Games had been spent so far.

“In comparison to the Manchester Games, India’s medals tally had gone down in the Melbourne Games. Since the Games are being held at home, it should increase. Inclusion of wrestling would boost it, but what about other disciplines?” he asked.

Lack of concern

The Asian Games, featuring 42 disciplines, are slated to be held within a month of the Delhi Commonwealth Games (having 17 disciplines). The AAI president lamented that nobody was bothered about the important continental Games.

Malhotra will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to put forth his demands.

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