Hyderabad, Aug 24: The Indian Olympic Commission proclaims the preparations for the Afro-Asian Games are on schedule. Indian Olympic Association secretary Randhir Singh was in the southern city of Hyderabad on Saturday (August 23) to inspect the facilities for the first ever Afro-Asian Games which begin on October 24. The final go-ahead for the venue was given on Saturday at a meeting of the federal cabinet, presided over by the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Secretary Singh inspected plans, building works and other facilities for the games. He said he was fully satisfied with the infrastructure and expressed hope that the games would be a big success. "We went across to shooting, football, tennis, hockey grounds...we are aware of the swimming also as we've all been here for the National Games. So we have seen the new infrastructure and I must congratulate them for the excellent infrastructure. I am confident that the equipment that has to be imported, that is still required to be brought in, would be here in time. Before the first week of October we should be ready with everything," Singh said.


Though initially scheduled for November, 2001 the games had to be postponed following the September 11 attack on New York and Washington, D.C.

Three big soccer countries Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa have confirmed their participation while Morocco has dropped out. The African sides will play against four Asian countries - China, Japan, Iran and hosts India.


The games are expected to cost a total of 1.3 billion rupees (2.8 million U.S. dollars), most of which will be spent on enhancing the sports infrastructre in Hyderabad.


The Indian technology capital has also succesfully hosted the country's 32nd national games earlier this year.


Almost 2,500 athletes and 800 officials from Asia and Africa will participate in eight disciplines. Though all major sports are included soccer is expected to dominate especially with African participants.


Bureau Report