Afro-Asian Games postponed, says official

The first Afro-Asian Games, set for New Delhi in November, have been postponed because of security concerns after the terror attacks in the U.S., a senior government official said on Thursday.

The Union cabinet committee on security, which met earlier in the day, favoured postponement, the official, who did not wish to be identified, told Reuters.

"The Games have been postponed," the official said, without giving details.

Union sports minister Uma Bharti told a news conference she would make an official announcement on Friday with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi.

Bharti and Kalmadi, addressing a joint news conference, stopped short of saying the Games had been postponed.

The sports minister said: "The world peace is threatened and the lethal attack America faced has disturbed the harmony.

"The working chairman of the organising committee (Kalmadi) will talk to the international federations, review the situation and make a formal announcement tomorrow," she said.

Kalmadi felt the Games could still go ahead as all preparations were on schedule and said he would call on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and request him to review the move to put off the Games.

"Even in Europe many international sports bodies have postponed events, but only by two or three days. "I am going to consult other IOA members, the Olympic Councils of Asia and Africa," he said.

PLAGUED FROM START

The Games, scheduled from November 3 to 11, have been plagued by uncertainty from the outset.

There were initial doubts about them taking place because of differences between Bharti and Kalmadi.

Vajpayee stepped in but mounting costs for building infrastructure and worry over completing the work have dogged the project.

The Games have also been questioned by critics after top teams pulled out of the men's field hockey and soccer events. Doubts remain over whether top competitors will take part in athletics.

Top sides Pakistan and South Korea withdrew from the hockey competition because of a date clash with the elite six-nation Champions Trophy in Lahore, Pakistan.

Asian soccer powers South Korea and Japan also chose to keep away.

The Games comprise athletics, boxing, field hockey, shooting, soccer, swimming, tennis and weightlifting.