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INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
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Every time a global sporting event happens to a city, it changes for ever. The city is now looking forward to the Commonwealth Games 2010. INDIA EMPIRE spoke to Sardar Mohammad Aslam Khan, Vice President, Indian Olympic Association, who's part of the organizing body of the CG. Excerpts from the interview:
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Q: What does the Commonwealth Games (CG) mean to Delhi in terms of development?
A:It will change Delhi once more, for the better. It happened during the Asian Games in 1951 and then in 1982. The city got better roads, flyovers, hotels came up, and there was an overall momentum in every form of economic activity.
Q: How are you preparing for the CG?
A: We now have a full-fledged Games Secretariat in place. An Event Knowledge Services division headed by an Australian has made an initial appraisal of the facilities. The Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee is being headed by Suresh Kalmadi, MP who is also the president of the Indian Olympic Association. The Committee is keeping a watch on every development.
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"The Commonwealth Games will change Delhi once more, like during the Asian Games" |
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Q: How many members are there in the organizing committee?
A: Close to 400. They are drawn from various ministries, civic bodies, Sports Authority of India on the Governmental side, and from various private sector enterprises. There are about a score of sub-committees.
Q. You can't just stop with the CG,
how about keeping the momentum going?
A: We will surely. We are confident that India will get to host the Asian Games of 2014. Jordan and Vietnam having withdrawn from the fray, now India and South Korea are the only two contenders. When voting takes place in April 2007, we are confident that the Games will be handed over to us by the Olympic Council of Asia.
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October 2006
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