Despite the mess, no point in postponing CWG: athletes

As the build-up goes from bad to worse and opinion polls show utter disillusionment about the Games among the general public, a move has been slowly gaining ground to try and postpone the Games but the Organising Committee and athletes are not in favour of such a drastic step.

While the OC has all along maintained that the last-minute glitches would be sorted out and promised to deliver a world-class Games, developments such as the collapse of a foot over-bridge near the main Games venue and the falling of a false ceiling at the weightlifting arena has raised fresh questions about Delhi's preparedness.

But unperturbed by the setbacks, the OC insisted that there was no question of a postponement of the mega-event which will have athletes from 71 countries in action.
"There are some works which remain to be done. We are attending to it and we are confident that it will be done. Everything will be ready before the athletes start coming in. So, there is no question of a postponement," OC Director General V K Verma said.
Verma's hope is shared by current and former athletes alike who feel with national pride at stake, the Games should be held come what may.

Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh said glitches were expected in the organisation of an event of such magnitude but the organisers should have been more careful about the deadlines.

"We have to admit that we have done wrong. The facilities should have been ready a long time back. India got the bid in 2003 but it is shocking that it could not complete all the work and that has created these kind of problems but the other countries should not set a precedent by withdrawing from the Games," Milkha told PTI.

"Some glitches or the other keep happening in such mega-events. I hope India can rectify all the problems and the Games can go on. Crores have been spent and postponing the event will tarnish the country's image and prestige," he said.

Long jumper Anju Bobby George said she can't figure out how it has come to such a crisis situation despite the hosting rights being alloted to India way back in 2003.

"I hope they can sort out the mess in the remaining few days. I don't know why it got so delayed. The Games should be held on schedule. It is a big event and if it is postponed, the country's image will take a beating," he said.

Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh said postponing the event would further damage India's image.