BEIJING: China backed India's ability to conduct the Commonwealth Games successfully saying that the Indian government has made "great efforts" to host them.

"No matter which country host such large scale Games, it is quite a challenge," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Jiang Yu told a media briefing when asked about the allegations that poor facilities were being provided for Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi.

"I think the Indian government has made great efforts to prepare for the Games. I wish it will be a successful one," she said.

The unsavoury drama relating to the poor preparations of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and claims by its officials that the facilities would be better than that of 2008 Beijing Olympics which won international acclaim for China, generated considerable interest in the Games in Chinese official media.

China itself is preparing to host yet another mega sports event, the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou in November this year, which the organisers claim would be shade better than 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The construction of all the facilities, including accommodation for more than 8000 athletes was finished and handed over to the Organising Committee on September 20.

After more than two years of construction, Games Town is ready to accommodate the expected 40,000 athletes, coaches, technical officials and members of the media from around the world for the games to be held from November 12 to 27.

In addition to an athletes' village with 13 apartment buildings, the Games Town includes a media village, technical officials' village, international broadcast centre and the main press centre.

Xu Ruisheng, vice-mayor of Guangzhou and executive deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee was quoted by the official media here recently as saying that "the facilities for the athletes at the Asian Games are much better than at the Beijing Summer Olympic Games.

There is lot of green areas and it is a very good environment for the athletes," he said.



http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2010/news/China-backs-India-to-successfully-host-Commonwealth-Games/cwgarticleshow/6643582.cms

China is saying .. "That kind of preparation is considered good for Indian standard. What else do you expect?"

This is bad for such a huge investment: 1.5m tickets remain unsold

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/m-tickets-remain-unsold/story-fn65mzk7-1225931291818


IT is the coldest ticket in town - of the 1.7 million Commonwealth Games tickets available, only 200,000 have been sold.
Four days out and the excitement levels are low in Delhi - even some locals who have been given free tickets are not going.

Of the 100,000 tourists expected, the Travel Agents Association of India now estimates only 10,000 to visit.

Other locals are fleeing, taking advantage of the "escape the Commonwealth Games" holiday packages.

One ticketing distributor said: "The problem is the tickets are too expensive."

The cheapest tickets start at 50 rupees ($1.15) for tickets to the netball and lawn bowls; and 100 rupees ($2.30) for bleacher seats in the athletics and rugby.

However, the ticket distributor said spectators would be best to stay at home.

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"You'd be better off watching it on TV, the seat is so bad," he said.

Ticket prices for the Opening Ceremony on Sunday range from 1000 ($23) to 50,000 ($1156) rupees. It is not sold out.

The World Bank says 828 million people in India live on less than $2 a day.

Yesterday, the Herald Sun visited an official ticketing office near Connaught Place and it was deserted for some time.

Brij Mohan Bhama, 58, a member of the All India Congress Committee, said he would not use his free tickets.

"I got passes. They gave me passes, but I am not going," he said. "I am not going because my interest is not there."

He added: "The negative publicity has gone on so much everyone is scared of buying tickets.

"People were expecting a lot of tourists to come but with negative publicity everywhere, no one is willing to come. They think the enjoyment is not there.

"The purpose of the Games was defeated because of that."

Mr Bhama believed the Games were good for India, sports people and tourism; but was disappointed the building of the stadiums was so delayed.

Traffic chaos has already ensued with the opening of the 24-hour Commonwealth Games traffic lane.

The poor have been banished from public spaces - hundreds of homeless have been rounded up and taken to shelters. Illegal street vendors are also being moved on by police.

The middle-class just want to get out of town. Office worker Nilish Jain, 38, is among those who will leave Delhi.

"It's too expensive to go to the Games," Mr Jain said. "I will be going on some kind of holidays."

But he added: "The population of Delhi is such a large population that even if the people of Delhi are planning to go out, it is still too many people here.

"I think the Games should be a success now. A lot of good work has been done with the Games.

"I am sure it will come out good," he said.

^^^^ nearly 3000 atheletes have now moved into the Village. And their respective press statements are on the net. why dont you see what they say about the facilities and the "standards" now?



R.K. Laxman, India's renowned cartoonist, honours the hardy & humble Indian Jawan

AKA KRONICFEVER

Everyone just wanted to get over with this, quickly. It's impossible to cancel the games as the indian spends billions already and all other preparation done by participating countries. So everyone just pushing their tolerance level floor bottom and get over with it.

With all the shiits, dogs, snakes, collapsible bed, stagnant water and threats from indian minister, it will indeed be the most memorable and talkable event in history.

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