19 July,2010 07:13 AM IST | | IANS
Sports Minister MS Gill yesterday lamented the withdrawal of some of the world's leading athletes from the New Delhi Commonwealth Games and said the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) should ensure the participation of star sportspersons for the Oct 3-14 mega-event.
Gill said it is sad to see that international sportspersons do not attach much importance to the Commonwealth Games.
"The stadiums we have built are world class but it is sad that some of the leading sportspersons are not coming to Delhi," Gill said.
"It appears that for the Olympic Games, performance in continental events like Asian Games, and Europeans Championships are taken into account. And because of this, the sportspersons don't attach the same importance to the Commonwealth Games," he said.
"I request Mr Michael Fennell (Commonwealth Games Federation chief) to bring athletes for the Games, not thousands of officials," Gill Said.
