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Security concerns to affect Commonwealth games 2010 in Delhi |
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India is scheduled to host Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi but the recent Mumbai terror attack has arose many security concerns. With this, Delhi is now facing the prospect of losing the 2010 Commonwealth Games after officials refused to rule out the possibility of moving the event
A few countries have issued advisories against visiting India for the moment. This attack has suddenly brought some question marks over the biggest sporting extravaganza in India ever. The organisers of the commonwealth games know that in these times of turmoil mere assurances won`t do.
Randhir Singh, chief of Indian Olympic Association, said, "The home ministry has done a fantastic job, as you saw it in the Beijing Olympic Games, and they are looking into various committees on security which are held by home ministry itself."
The commonwealth games federation has already said that it is continuing to assess the situation in India after a rise in of blasts all over the country. But this isn`t just a problem for sporting events in India. London too is working round the clock to ensure a safe Olympics in 2012.
Lord Sebastian Coe from London Olympic committee commented, "It`s sad that a country which is known for peace and friendship and brotherhood, a sport gets involved and gets targeted for this."
Athens spent a whopping $ 1.5 bn on anti terrorism measures for the 2004 Olympic Games. The figures for Beijing are not known yet but China`s security was top notch. These measures come at a cost but after the attack on Israeli athletes in Munich in 1972; it`s an expense that has never been questioned.
Randhir Singh added, "It is an unpleasant world that we are living in, but our security plans are underway and we would deliver secure games."
The construction is going on at commonwealth games village but securing it is more important than just meeting the construction deadlines. The athlete`s village is the most visible symbol of any games and also the most obvious target. Beijing has shown the way and it is now for the Indian security officials to go one better.
The warning came only a day after the Herald Sun revealed India could lose cricket`s 2011 World Cup because of heightened security concerns following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
The Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) is planning to send up to 550 athletes and officials to Delhi for the Games, due to be held from October 3-14, 2010.
But Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper told British media that security fears were clouding the Delhi Games raising the prospect of a switch.
He said, "One can only speculate. It`s still too premature to comment on that (transferring the Games). Security is a major issue. What is disturbing is that this (trend) has been continuing for the last nine months. In that backdrop, we continue to assess the situation, although we have not taken a definitive position. We have our own security consultants who would continue to monitor the situation in the country."
Hooper added, "Even before the Commonwealth Youth Games (held in Pune, 160km from Mumbai, in October), we held discussions at the highest level with the Government and shared detailed information with them, as the serial bomb blasts in Delhi had taken place only a few weeks back."
ACGA chief executive Perry Crosswhite said that Australia would continue to monitor the situation in India.
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| Security concerns to affect Commonwealth games 2010 in Delhi |
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