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Economic Gains: Will the Commonwealth Games in Delhi Deliver What They Promised?: India Knowledge@Wharton ( http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4537)

Economic Gains: Will the Commonwealth Games in Delhi Deliver What They Promised?
Published : October 21, 2010 in India Knowledge@Wharton

The 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Delhi from October 5 to October 14 were orchestrated in typical Indian style. Until the eleventh hour, nothing was ready. There were fears that the event would have to be called off. Charges of corruption were rampant. (After suspending probes during the period of the Games, several investigative agencies have been unleashed again.) The facilities were reported to be way below acceptable standards. The Scottish delegation found dogs in their beds in the Games Village; the South Africans found a snake. But, in the end, it was a superb show. "Commonwealth Games 2010 finish with India triumphant," said the London Guardian. Prior to the games, former Union sports minister Mani Shankar This is a single/personal use copy of India Knowledge@Wharton. For multiple copies, custom reprints, Aiyar had been particularly trenchant in his criticism. "By having e-prints, posters or plaques, please contact PARS International: reprints@parsintl.com P. (212) 221-9595 x407. an 11-day jamboree in New Delhi, the idea that you can become a sporting nation is nonsense," he told newsmagazine Tehelka some time ago. (Aiyar was forced out of his ministerial post because of his opposition to the Games.) "Even if a percentage of the money spent on the CWG had been pumped into real sport, we would have been producing champions." Today, Aiyar is unrepentant. "The CWG has denigrated India's image," he told The Times of India. "Rs. 70,000 crore to get us a bad name." A Waste of Money? According to Aiyar, the CWG exercise cost more than US$15 billion (Rs. 70,000 crore). Melbourne, where the Games were held four years ago, spent only US$1.4 billion....