'We should be ready to stage the Games well before time'

The Government of India's decision to allow the staging of the Afro-Asian Games in November has come as a shot in the arm for the Indian Olympic Association. The IOA had for quite some time been advocating the staging of the Games in Delhi, but it suffered a shock when Sports Minister Uma Bharti made an announcement that the government wanted fresh dates for the same. However, timely intervention by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee ensured there would be no change in the dates and the Games would be held as scheduled, from November 3 to 11.

IOA secretary general and ace shooter Randhir Singh, who is also secretary general of the Afro Asian Games Council, welcomed the Prime Minister's decision. In an exclusive interview with special correspondent Onkar Singh, he, however, lambasted those spreading malicious rumours that staging the Games would cost India Rs 200 billion.

"It is a vicious propaganda spread by those who are against the staging of the Games in India," he said. Excerpts.

After a period of uncertainty, the Government of India has given the green signal to stage the much-delayed Afro-Asian Games. How do you feel about it?

Both, as a sportsman and as the secretary general of the Afro-Asian Games Council, I am pleased that Prime Minister Vajpayeeji has personally cleared the staging of the Games. We are very excited and very happy with the decision. I was always confident that the honourable Prime Minister and Sports Minister Uma Bharti would support holding the Games in India. It is a commitment made by India; it is a commitment that we made to the 96 Olympic committees round the world, who are part of the Afro-Asian Games Council.

But there was a stage when the Games were almost called off. Isn't that true?

It was a bit uncertain. Yes, that is true, but we had not given up hope. I think, more than anything else, what held back the okay to stage the Games was some misunderstanding between the IOA and the Sports Ministry. Otherwise, preparations were going on as scheduled. That is why we had already formed various committees and laid down rules and regulations for the Games. We would not have done that if we were not sure of holding the Games.

Is there any dispute about who should be the chairman/chairperson of the organizing committee of the Games?

No, there is no dispute about who should be the chairman/chairperson of the organizing committee. The president of the Indian Olympic Association has already very kindly offered the post of chairperson of the organizing committee to Minister of Sports Uma Bharti.

There is some ambiguity about the kind of money that would be spent on staging the Games. Is it Rs 350 million or two billion?

The money that would be raised by the Indian Olympic Association is going to be around Rs 20 crores [200 million]. Another Rs 20-25 crore would be spent by the Government of India. In all about Rs 40-50 crore [400-500 million] is going to be spent on the Games. Those who are saying that the staging of the Games is going to cost Rs 200 crore are spreading malicious rumours.

Sports Minster Uma Bharti has said that the time is too short to stage the Games. Is it correct?

I don't know who gave her this impression. We have already finished the technical details of staging the Games. We have enough time on our hand. We have sorted out the rules and regulations with international federations. Everything is on line and we should be ready to stage the Games and receive the participants and officials well before time.

Would you be inviting Pakistan to take part in the Games?

All those who qualify for the Afro-Asian Games will be attending.

How many countries would be taking part? Where will you put up the participants in view of the fact that you do not have time on hand to construct a Games village?

Yes, it is correct that we do not have time to have a Games village, but we will put up the athletes in various hotels in the capital. Tentative bookings have already been made. There would be over 1,200 athletes taking part in the Games from Asia and an equal number from Africa. With officials and delegates, in all, there will be close to 3,000 participants.

How do you propose to raise the money?

Through marketing companies which would sound business houses for sponsorship. We are sure that we will be able to raise the necessary money.

What kind of performance do you expect from the Indian participants?

I am confident that the Indian team will do well because all those disciplines in which India has been performing well have been included in the Games. The only two disciplines where we have not done well recently are football and swimming. Our football team has also been performing well in recent times. I do hope our swimmers also perform well in the Games and win some medals for the country. As host country we will be participating in all events.