“I wish the Commonwealth Games to be a real failure”, said Mani Shankar Aiyar
Mani Shankar Aiyar who is a member of the Indian political party, Congress has stated in a recent interview that he wants the upcoming Common wealth games to be a real failure which are going to be held in India this year. He further said that all those people who are supporting this event to take place successfully are doing nothing less than a crime. Such kind of statements from a renowned political leader, Mani Shankar Aiyar has shocked the BJP as well as the head of the organizing team of the Commonwealth games, Suresh Kalmadi.
The Common wealth Games is basically a multinational as well as a multi sport competition, which showcases contests highlighting thousands of top class sportsmen from all those countries who are the members of the Commonwealth of Nations. The event is held after a period of four years and stands high as the third largest sport competition all over the world after the Asian Games as well as the Summer Olympic Games.
The competition also features such games that are being contested basically in the commonwealth nations including rugby sevens, netball as well as lawn bowls. The Games are looked after by the federation of the Commonwealth, which also take care of the sporting programme as well as decides the cities of the host. The host place is decided from among the commonwealth members.
Talking further about Aiyar’s statement, the politician on a rainy day in Delhi added, “"I am glad in a sense as weather is causing problems for the Commonwealth Games. Actually, I will be highly upset, if the event turns out to be a success as then they will start thinking about the Asian Games as well as Olympic Games".
Aiyar is the same man who in the past worked as a sports minister of India. However, now has turned out to be a strong critic of the games.
"Those who are supporting the Games can only be criminals. They cannot be anything else," he added.
Suresh Kalmadi, a senior Indian politician and sports administrator is of the view that, "If Aiyar had stayed as a Sports Minister for long, not even a single stadium would have been functional".
However, the reality of the matter is that even today each fresh day brings different news regarding the sports venues that needs a renovation with some of the stadiums that require serious repairing particularly during the monsoon season.
According to Mani Shankar Aiyar, the huge expenses at around 35,000 crores, these are actually recorded to be the most costly Commonwealth Games in the history which is no less than a state of embarrassment.
Rather Mani highlighted some other areas where the money could have utilized, he said, "Just think if we would have spent the entire thirty five thousand crore rupees in giving training to the children, we would have ultimately won medals in every single international sporting competition," Aiyar further added.
The Congress on the other hand, was swift enough to write off Aiyar's statements.
"I do not consider his statements on a serious note," said the MP of Congress, Sandeep Dikshit, who is the son of Sheila, the chief Minister of Delhi and therefore has substantial authority”.
The BJP, which has also asked questions regarding the arrangements as well as the correct utilization of the funds, stated that the best way to deal such silly comments is to simply duck them.
“It is the duty of the state as well as the Central government to understand the fact that the entire reputation of India is linked with the upcoming Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi”, Said the spokesperson of BJP, Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Tags: