Major chunk of Commonwealth Games budget for stadium renovation

NEW DELHI - A major chunk of the Rs.2,264 crore ($453 million) allotted for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in this year’s union budget will be spent to renovate stadiums.

About Rs.1,385 crore will be spent for renovation of Sports Authority of India (SAI) stadiums while Rs.180 crore will be utilised in preparing athletes for the games that will be held here Oct 3-14 next year.

Another Rs.269 crore have been set aside for creation and upgradation of other venues and their equipments and furnishing. The All India Tennis Association has got Rs.40 crore to upgrade its stadium in Delhi.

The finance minister also allocated Rs.390 crore as overlays to SAI, Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and AITA.

The IOA and the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games 2010 lauded the finance minister for making sure that the games do not suffer due to lack of funds.

IOA secretary general Randhir Singh said it will help the organising committee for a speedy completion of the construction of the venues.

“We are grateful to the finance minister for his generosity towards the games. I think that it will help us host the best Commonwealth Games,” Randhir told IANS.