Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is considering bidding for the 2022 Commonwealth Games even as the ghost of the 2010 edition of the games, which was hosted in Delhi, still lingers on. The development comes a day after Durban, which was to host the quadrennial event, was eventually denied permission following South African government’s failure to provide financial guarantees for the event, according to The Indian Express report. The year of 2022 will also mark the 75th year of India’s Independence. “We received a communication from them (CGF) today. Our (IOA) president and members are discussing the issue. If there is support from the government, we will consider the possibility of bidding for the Games,” IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta told The Indian Express.
The Commonwealth Games which were held during October 3-14, 2010 were marred by allegations of corruption. Various probe agencies like CBI and ED are looking into the cases of alleged graft in the mega sporting event.
Mehta while allaying the apprehensions pointed out that things have changed over the years. He also said that the successful conduct of the South Asian Games on a shoestring budget in Guwahati and Shillong last year was a case in point. The event was held under the direct supervision of the government, which controlled the finances, while the IOA provided technical support.
While there is no time-frame specified yet for the countries to submit their bid, Mehta said he would meet IOA president N Ramachandran to decide the future course of action. Three years ago, the IOA had expressed its desire to host the 2019 Asian Games. The government had also backed the proposal, but the country could not meet the deadline to submit the bid, The Indian Express report said.
But India will stiff competition from Australia and cities of England like Birmingham and Liverpool who have showed interests too.
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which went into alleged irregularities in CWG-related civic and construction projects, had reportedly found tax evasion of Rs 1,014.60 crore by government departments and private companies. At least 9,000 publicly-funded projects worth several crores were executed by 37 government departments and private companies for the Commonwealth Games.
Following allegations of corruption in CWG-related works, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had formed a high-level probe committee, headed by former Comptroller and Auditor General V K Shunglu, to look into it.
The Committee had submitted six reports mentioning various instances of large-scale corruption and other lapses.