Commonwealth Games 2010 - Did we fail?

“Montego Bay (Jamaica), Nov 14 (PTI) India Friday outpolled the Canadian city of Hamilton 46-22 to earn the right to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.”

... It was indeed a historic moment for all of us, Indians, when we won the bid for hosting the Commonwealth Games 2010…!!

“India was the front-runner because it never previously staged the prestigious event and voters clearly were sympathetic to complaints from New Delhi officials that wealthy countries are picked too often.”
…this win established… that majority of the 72 member countries believed in our potential to be able to host a truly international event… that we are evolving and emerging on the world map… and that we could no longer be ignored…!! We are only the second Asian nation –after Malaysia - to be hosting this prestigious event...!!

After winning the bid, Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi had told the reporters. “It means a lot to us. We feel this will change the whole perception of the Commonwealth.”  

...and nearly 7 years hence… and with the total expenditure (including the non-sports-related infrastructure development) in excess of 70000 crores… we have occupied the centre stage of world’s attention... but all for wrong reasons…!! Now counting days … rather hours… to the start of the costliest commonwealth games ever …we have indeed taken the world by surprise…!!   

India's bid motto was New Frontiers and New Friendships. I am not sure about the new friendships…. but ‘frontiers’… yes… we have definitely reached and crossed new frontiers of… corruption… mismanagement…lack of accountability and involvement… not owning up our responsibilities… inefficiency… and above all … shamelessness…!! 

There is no doubt that the India’s reputation has been severely damaged by the messy preparations and the taint of corruption in managing the funds…!! Member nations are not confident in sending their contingent to India… they are not sure of security… of hygiene… of accommodation and of the so-called world class venues where sports events are to be held…!! 

Unfortunately… the CWG 2010 made to the headlines mostly for wrong reasons… the world press is abuzz with the stories of missed deadlines, athletes of Indian CWG squad failing the dope tests, “unliveable” condition of the accommodations, thumbs down for Rehman’s CWG anthem, collapsing infrastructure, security threats, high scale corruption in managing the funds, controversial remarks from one of the brand ambassador of the games, dengue threat and what not…!!

Majority agrees – unanimously- that we should not have bid for the games in the first place… and that the money would have been better spent on education, health and basic sports infrastructure…!! I am not sure… if we would still host the games… and if we indeed host… then would we be successful at that… but I am sure of one thing… that CWG has only brought shame to India and that we have failed… and we have failed in full public view…!!