Date:14/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/14/stories/2008111454100400.htm

New Delhi

‘Slow progress in Games work’

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Vijay Jolly on Thursday said that if India misses out on the chance to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010, it will be a “national shame”. His remarks come in the wake of comments attributed to the Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation Co-ordination Committee, Austin Sealy, that “any change at this late stage to the Games Village arrangements would seriously jeopardise India’s hosting of the Games”.

Blaming the ruling Congress in the Capital for “the slow progress at the various Commonwealth Games facilities in Delhi”, Mr. Jolly, who is contesting the Assembly election opposite Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, said the BJP has time and again raised the issue of “infighting in the Government” and the slow pace of work.

“The in-fighting and the bungling can give India a bad name in the global sporting community. Our worst fears have come true,” he said.