New Delhi: With Commonwealth Games just a
few months away, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday
said successful hosting of the event will help the city
project itself as a global destination for such sporting
extravaganza.
Dikshit, who faced criticism for the city's tardy
preparation for the Games, said all efforts are on to make it
a "memorable event" so that Delhi could hope to host bigger
sporting events in the future.
Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi, who is
also chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth
Games, had said India could bid for the 2020 Olympics.
The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating the
renovated Talkatora Indoor Stadium which will be the venue for
boxing competitions during the Commonwealth Games to be held
from October 3 to 14.
Elaborating on various infrastructure development
projects, she said the city must seize the opportunity to
present itself as "a major destination for the international
sporting events."
The Delhi Government has undertaken several key
infrastructure development projects as part of its preparation
for the mega event. The total cost of the infrastructure
projects has been pegged at Rs 15,000 crore.
Describing the dome-shaped arena of the stadium as a
unique piece of modern sports architecture, the Chief Minister
said the new sports facility block adjacent to the stadium has
been built using environment-friendly materials.
Kalmadi was also present on the occasion. The stadium,
having a capacity of 2,700 spectators, will also host the
Commonwealth Boxing Championships to be held from March 10.
Dikshit said the stadium has been designed and
constructed as per international standards.
Officials said a number of environmental-friendly
material and energy efficient devices have been used in the
sports facility block to make it a green building.
The stadium has been renovated at a total cost of Rs 150
crore.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 19:15