Commonwealth Games: Delhi's acid test

The Commonwealth Games is a multinational, multi-sport event. Held every four years, it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. Organising the world-class event involves a lot of hard work and commitment. And this year, it’s Delhi’s chance to prove to the international community that it can perform its duty efficiently.

The beginning, however, has not been rosy for Delhi. As the deadline approaches, there are increasing concerns that the venues won’t be ready in time and India will have to face embarrassment at the international level. Reports of incomplete stadia, unprepared organising committee and unfinished work on some key projects made the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell nervous and in a tizzy and its president rushed to Delhi to tke stock of the situation.

Then, it was the turn of allegations and counter allegations between the Indian officials and the CGF members. While CGF Secretary Mike Hooper was 'abused', there was a clear difference of opinions between Fennell and Indian Olympic Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi. And what they forgot during the fight was the image of the country.

The matter was finally sorted out with the intervention of the Prime Minister himself and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. She assured the worried lot of people that Delhi will be ready in time.

And taking inspiration from the Beijing Olympics held last year, the Delhi government, too, is keen to display its commitment towards the conservation of environment to the world. It plans to introduce ‘hybrid’ electric buses during the Commonwealth Games to be held in October 2010.

There are other plans as well, like making saddi Dilli free of street vendors; making the traffic smooth; penalising those who spit on the roads etc. This means, the Delhi government has undertaken Herculean task to tell Delhiites to behave! This is surely going to be a tough task.

But in order to make the Games a success – or any other international even for that matter – the government has to change its image. They always say this, but it never happens. All we can hope for is that it happens the same way they are saying.

Recent reports that work has progressed gives relief to the people. And the government now has to ensure that the Commonwealth Games do not become international embarrassment, and next time India is entrusted with organising the Olympics.