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Journalism of Courage
India has emerged as a strong contender to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games. With only Canada remaining in the fray, the country’s chances to bring the Games home after the 1982 Asian Games has never been so bright.
Initially, both Singapore and South Africa were interested in the bid but they pulled out to help India’s case. The conduct of the Games was monopolised by Great Britain, Australia and Canada until Malaysia — it hosted the Games in 1998 — became the first Asian country to break it.
The result of India’s bid will be known in November this year when Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) meets in Jamaica. Though Hamilton — the bidding city from Canada — has a distinct advantage over India having hosted the inaugural Games, a member of the CGF and legal adviser Sharad Rao, who is from Kenya, believes that the time has come for other countries to get the Games.
‘‘The Commonwealth Games are now coming out of the cocoon. After Malaysia, doubts have been removed about the capabilities of Asian countries to host the Games,’’ he said.
Besides, Rao adds, the survival of the Commonwealth Games depends largely on countries like India, whose size and population can be tapped to make the Games popular.
‘‘Allotting the Games to India will be beneficial to the organisation also,’’ he feels. After all, the CGF member points out, ‘‘In multi-discipline meets, the Commonwealth Games are second in importance, to only the Olympics and by bringing the best athletes to India, we hope to create awareness in India about sports and participating in them.’’
Though the CGF charges a minor royalty fee from host countries, there is a growing realisation within the Commonwealth that for the future of the Games, live coverage is a must.
‘‘We are working on some of these issues including live coverage of the Games but there is still a long way to go. Till two years back, the CGF was run on a voluntary basis but now we have a CEO and professionals running it.’’
