Afro-Asian Games face
teething problems

With less than a year to go before Delhi hosts the inaugural Afro-Asian Games in November 2001, preparations for the international event have not even begun at various levels of government, sports ministry officials said on Thursday.

"The finance ministry is yet to approve the grant, there is no talk for up gradation of the available infrastructure and the steering committee, which will manage the event, is yet to be notified," they said.

Sports Minister Uma Bharti will have her task cut out once the new year begins, they said, adding without her initiative, "we may as well forget the successful hosting of the event".

Officials informed that the finance ministry is not finalising the grant for the event. "Without this, the nature and expense of the event cannot be finalised," they said, adding the minister is expected to take up this issue with the finance minister soon.

The officials said the available infrastructure in the country too is in bad shape and needs urgent up gradation, which would cost a huge amount of money.