The negative publicity of the Commonwealth Games has pained some of the top Indian athletes, who are now keeping their fingers crossed for the successful hosting of the Games beginning here Oct 3.
The negative publicity of the Commonwealth Games has pained some of the top Indian athletes, who are now keeping their fingers crossed for the successful hosting of the Games beginning here Oct 3.
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M.C.Mary Kom, who recently won her fifth world women's boxing title and is also one of the brand ambassadors of the Games, said she is extremely sad with the recent developments.
"I am very sad. India has been insulted by the criticism of the Games Village," Mary Kom told IANS.
"The unusual rains in Delhi have slowed the progress of work. I hope everything is ready by Oct 3 otherwise it will be a big emabarrassment for our country. I am not participating because women's boxing does not feature in Commonwealth Games, but I am keeping my fingers crossed."
India's top squash player Saurav Ghoshal feels India had a great opportunity to show to the world that it can host a multi-disciplinary sporting event and hopes the last minutes glitches will be taken care of.
"I have been tracking the developments in the capital. It was really sad to see the (pedestrian) bridge (at the Jawahralal Nehru Stadium) coming down (Tuesday). The image of our country has taken a beating. The organisers are trying to plug the holes. I hope they finish everything on time," World No 26 Ghoshal told IANS.
Asked whether the controversy will affect the performance of athletes, Ghoshal said: "We are professionals at the end of the day. Though it is upsetting to see all this happening but it does not affect us as athletes. It is a very important event for us, we are eager to give our best in front of the home crowd."
The Games Organisers invited unremitting negative publicity after being levelled with corruption charges and the venues missing several deadlines.
Newly crowned world wrestling champion Sushil Kumar, who is also a Games brand ambassador, said there should be a crackdown on people involved in corruption.
"We got all the support from the government. So, I have nothing to complain on that front. But it is sad to see such negativity when the Games are just 10 days away. In my view, severe punishment should be handed out to people involved in any wrongdoing," Sushil maintained.
Meanwhile, ace shooter Ronjan Sodhi, who won gold in the men's double trap in Turkey, seemed optimistic about India hosting a successful Commonwealth Games.
"There are problems with the Village but the stadiums are fantastic. I have seen the shooting range myself, it is right up there among the best in the world. The small problems should be sorted out by the time the Games kick off. I am sure we will be able to pull it off," Sodhi said.
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