Revised proposal for Afro-Asian Games sought

After a long delay, the financial aspect of the first Afro-Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Delhi next year, has been put back on rails, with Sports Minister Uma Bharti taking up the issue with the finance ministry.

Sports ministry sources said on Monday that during a recent meeting with Finance Minister Yashwant Singh, Bharti had said that preparations for the Games would be in jeopardy unless the finance ministry approved the grant for it very soon.

Responding to Bharti's plea, the finance ministry has now sought a detailed proposal from the sports ministry, they said.

The sources also said the finance ministry has assured the sports ministry that the question of the quantum of grant would be favourably considered.

However, the sources said there were several gaps in the preparations for the prestigious Games, with less than a year to go before Delhi plays host to it in November 2001.

"There is no talk for upgradation of the infrastructure facilities, and the steering committee, which will manage the event, is yet to be notified," they said.

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."

"Without the the finance ministry finalising the grant to be given for the event, the nature and expense for the event cannot be finalised," the sources said.

They said the available infrastructure in the country is in a bad shape and needs urgent upgradation, which would cost a huge amount of money.

Few of the stadia available in the national capital have proper facilities for the players to train and the event areas need a face lift, they said, adding that all these have to be planned meticulously and cannot be left to the last minute.

They said it is yet to be worked out how much financial support to be given to Indian Olympic Association for managing the event.

The IOA should also prepare the blueprint of the event management and accordingly the finance ministry could be apprised of the grant needed, they said.