Too expensive: Archers won’t shoot at India Gate

Organising Committee secretary general Lalit Bhanot said: “We were refused security clearance as the proposed site was near the National Stadium. (Security would be a problem) due to the VIP movement in the area. So the venue has been shifted.”

While the decision to shift the venue was taken in June,arrangements for the final at the YSC is yet to be finalised,which includes both the medal rounds and the event ceremony. “Both the CGF and the FITA reluctantly agreed to the change of venue because when it comes to security,there isn’t much left to debate,” Commonwealth Games Federation’s CEO Mike Hooper said.

OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi wrote to the International Archery Federation (FITA) president Dr Ugur Erdener to inform him about the venue change. Expressing his disappointment,Dr Erdener wrote a stinging reply,but reluctantly agreed to the decision. In his letter (a copy is with Newsline) Dr Erdener wrote: “We have a hard time to understand why security is now an issue since the option of India Gate was preferred for reasons of security and the impact on traffic over the option of the Red Fort.”

“We also do not understand why this is an issue with archery and not for cycling and marathon which as far as we know will be close to India Gate as well. Such courses are much more of a security risk than archery which would be in a confined environment which can be secured much easier. Furthermore,it is not clear what specific security risk exist in this area,since as far as we know this part of the city is considered very safe.”

“However,since we are close to 120 days away from the start of the Games and there is no point in starting a long discussion on security or other matters,we need to be pragmatic and try to all cooperate to make the best of the event,” ends the letter.