Common wealth games … Glory or Shame?

This October, India is poised to hold the biggest sporting extravaganza so far to be held in the country. This 19th Common wealth game involving about 70 countries with 6000 sportspersons is arguably the third largest sports meet after Olympics and World cup football. It is the first time that the games are coming to India and second time in Asia (after 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). Though critics may claim that our country have more grave issues to attend than games, one must not forget that this is an ideal opportunity for us to show case the modern and developed India.

More often than not, the games have always been in the news for bad reasons, especially during last month or so. Financial irregularities have been the point of contention along with acute tardiness in the preparation of venues for

the games. Unfortunately our media, especially the visual style, is celebrating the issues and thus giving it a much

wider publicity than required.

Outside India nobody is bothered if it’s the Kalmadis’ or someone else. Rather the

whole world is eagerly watching whether India can pull this off. To give an idea about how the media reports are received abroad, according to my friend residing in Australia, public there are passing judgments that Indians

aren’t capable of holding games of this stature and are more interested in making money than games itself.

It’s vital that corruption of any form should be brought to the public. But too much hype about it, that too at this crucial juncture with only days to go for the games, is uncalled for. The people who are alleged to be corrupt, if found guilty, should be dealt seriously. But this could wait till the games are over. Instead our focus should be more on how best we can help our nation to gear up for the games. Main concern should be that most of the stadiums are still under construction. It’s high time that all of us in our own way do a bit and get the nation ready for the games. Here the media has a huge role to play; rather than playing out the corruption issue again and again it should shift the focus on the issues of under preparation – be it about venues, games village, roads, hospitals or anything related. This will keep the authorities as well as public informed about the pending issues. It may even inspire some of us to come forward and contribute in some way.

The problem of under preparedness was raised even back in 2009. If adequate actions were taken at that time things wouldn’t have been in such bad shape. Now that government have taken steps to tackle this issue by appointing 10 officers of the rank of Joint and Additional Secretaries to oversee the progress, hopefully, we will be ready in time for the event. Each of these officers is allocated a stadium and given the responsibility to ensure that the work completes in time for the games.

It’s already late, but better late than never. Let’s hope coming October 3 to 14, the world will witness the best ever commonwealth games till date and India rise in glory on the world stage.