India may host Asian Games in 2014

Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi on Friday set the ball rolling for New Delhi's bid for the 17th Asian Games in 2014, promising the Olympic Council of Asia that a progressive and vibrant India would be the perfect host for the mega event.

Kalmadi, who is also a Member of Parliament, said even if it was a city bid, the Government of India was fully supporting them to win the confidence of the Bid Evaluation Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia, which arrived here late last night.

"At present, over 70 per cent of Indian population is below 30 years and they will be ripe by 2014 to take part in the Games," he said.

"Delhi has a history of 5000 years. It has become an economic tiger with the Sensex rising. By 2014, all our youngsters will get the opportunity to turn to Olympic sports to be ready for the mega-event.

"All our government agencies are fully involved in the bid and the Prime Minister will give you enough time during the tour," he added.

Kalmadi said India was a more deserving bidder vis-à-vis their only competitor Incheon, since Korea hosted the last Games in Busan.

"Korea is our only competitor but they have hosted the event last time in Busan while we have not got a chance in the last 32 years. A country of billion people deserves this."

"Besides, Incheon is involved only at the city level with its mayor bidding for the games because their Olympic Council is busy in Winter Olympics to be held in the country in 2014 itself. We have a national bid and we don't have any other event that year," Kalmadi said.

The OCA delegation, led by chairman Celso Dayrit, comprises Ms Natalya Sipovich, Abdul Ghani Tabhalat, Haider Ferman and Vinod Kumar Tiwari, who is the co-ordinator.

They will assess the facilities at all the major stadia of the city including RK Khanna Stadium, National Stadium, JN Stadium and IGI stadium and the proposed games village site here before beginning their visit of Korea from Sunday.

The Commission will also visit the Delhi Public School, RK Puram, where thousands of children shall perform and give a glimpse of Indian culture. The voting for deciding the host will be held in April.

Gautam Thapar, who represented the Confederation of Indian Industries, pledged the corporate support for the prestigious event, which is slated just two years after India hosts its first ever Commonwealth Games in 2010.

"Such events are not possible without the involvement of business. We have largest television market and rising level of savings which means we can now spend more. We also have largest free market," Thapar said.


"We are a young country and will be the youngest in 2014. We will support them to make the Asian Games a resounding success," he said of India's bid to host the Games for a third time since it was inaugurated in India in 1951 on the initiative of then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Lieutenant Governor B L Joshi also assured the full support from the Government.

"IOA, CII and every other person including the Government of India is behind the bid," Dikshit said adding "we not only have infrastructure and sports culture but also people from every nook and corner of the country to take part in it."

"Development is a continuous process and the pace has accelerated now. We have facility, infrastructure and above all we have the will to host the Games in 2014," Joshi said.

Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said it was not only a matter of prestige but also an attempt to help the poor people of India.

"It (the Games) will also deal with the most aching part of our society. For prestige, of course it is, but our attention will be less on glamour and more on helping the poor people," he said.

Dayrit reciprocated to the Indian team's assurances by showing confidence in their efforts.

"We know how much capable is India of hosting such an event. We are here to listen to your plans.

"I believe the one thing these events provide a country is opportunity to show their skill and invest in new sports infrastructure and stadia, boost economy and commerce, to show their culture, progress and people to the world and become one nation.

"I am sure India very well knows all the benefits and will indeed give a Great Games", he added.

PM assures strong support for 2014 Asiad bid

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today assured a strong government support to New Delhi's bid for hosting the 17th Asian Games in 2014 during his meeting with the Olympic Council of Asia's Bid Evaluation Committee.

"The Prime Minister gave full assurances about his government's support to the bid and hoped India gets it," Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi told PTI.

"The Prime Minister said India's sports culture was growing and the country would also get the benefit of hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2010," Kalmadi said.

The meeting, also attended by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar and Prithvi Raj Chauhan, lasted almost half an hour.

The five-member OCA delegation, led by chairman Celso Dayrit, comprised Ms Natalya Sipovich, Abdul Ghani Tabhalat, Haider Ferman and Vinod Kumar Tiwari, who is the co-ordinator.

They assessed the facilities at all the major stadia of the city including R K Khanna Stadium, National Stadium, JN Stadium and IGI stadium and the proposed games village site here before meeting the PM.

"Dayrit was more than satisfied about the infrastructure and arrangements. They were also impressed by the reception given to them," Kalmadi said.

The Committee will begin its tour of Incheon, Korea, India's only competitor in the bid, from Sunday.