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IOA confident of bagging 2014 Asiad

By Onkar Singh in New Delhi
April 01, 2005 17:59 IST
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The Indian Olympic Association has dispatched all relevant documents to the Olympic Council of Asia in its bid to host the 2014 Asian Games in New Delhi.

This was disclosed by IOA president Suresh Kalmadi, at a press conference in Delhi on Friday.

Kalmadi said Korea and Jordan are the other nations expected to bid for the Games.

"Since Korea held the Asian Games recently, therefore, we stand a good chance to get the Games.

"We have sent all the necessary documents, and the letter from the Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs Sheila Dikshit, backing Delhi's claim to host the Games has also been sent along with them. This was necessary because the Games are given to a city and not to a nation," he said.

Bids for the Games will be opened in October, when the General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia meets in Guanghou, China, host of the 2010 Asian Games.

"I thank Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for approving New Delhi's bid for the 2014 Games," said Kalmadi.

Asked why he is so optimistic about being awarded the Games when other nations also have filed bids, Kalmadi told rediff.com his optimism is based on certain factors that go in the country's favour.

"We got the Commonwealth Games because we managed to host the Afro-Asian Games. India would be hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and on that strength we should get the Asian Games for 2014.

"Besides, the Asian Games began in New Delhi in 1950 and last time we hosted the Games was in 1982. So it is our turn to host the Games again," he said.

IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh, who is also secretary-general of the Olympic Council of Asia, said Jordan's bid has not been received so far, maybe because of a holiday in the country.

"The OCA will wait for another day to receive their bid," he added.

Both Kalmadi and Singh denied that India is behind schedule in its preparations to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

"All things have been worked out. We have hired international consultants, who are part of the International Olympic Committee, for advice. We are confident that we will be ready well before the commencement of the Commonwealth Games," Kalmadi said.

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Onkar Singh in New Delhi

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