The Commonwealth Games could turn out to be a disaster for India's global image unless authorities step in with emergency measures. With just about two months to go, a lot of work remains to be completed. On Tuesday, a young swimmer hurt herself after a grill gave way at the newly constructed S P Mukherjee swimming complex. Reports indicate that the complex, which was formally inaugurated this week, is far from ready for use. Unfortunately, the swimming complex is not an exception. Civic work related to roads and pavements is far from complete. It appears that not many Commonwealth athletes and sports stars with top billing intend to come for the Delhi Games. A star-less Games would dampen public interest in the event and drastically bring down advertising and other revenue. And creaking infrastructure is unlikely to help us woo top sportspeople to New Delhi.
The repercussions of a flop show will not be limited to Indian sports. A poorly organised event could also deal us a psychological blow. Countries stage big events also as a step to boost the collective confidence of their people. For instance, China used the Beijing Olympics as an opportunity not just to showcase its organisational might before the world but also to raise the morale of its own citizens. India, like China, is on the path to shed the diffidence of a third world nation and become a country confident of its people and their capabilities. The government must, therefore, move fast to salvage the Delhi Games. It's in danger of becoming an exhibition of ineptitude and incompetence.
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