Olympian Aslam Sher Khan terms Commonwealth Games corrupt

BHOPAL - Former Hockey Olympian Aslam Sher Khan has termed the ensuing Commonwealth Games a web of corruption.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Khan said: ” This game is surrounded with corruption, and corruption, the level of magnitude of corruption has broken all records in the world. The corruption started from the baton itself in England. This Queen’s Baton was basically corrupted by the Organising Committee in England itself.”

“I have been told that Rs. 28,000 crore has been spent on the games, and I feel that this was a colossal waste and nothing else,” he added.

He further noted that it was alarming that the government had spent 280 billion rupees for the Commonwealth Games when aspiring youngsters across the country are deprived of basic necessities, be it on or off the field.

“I think the entire nation, the entire media, the entire good thinking people, saying this is a wrong priority of the Government of India to organise such corrupt Games, whereas one balloon was hired for two hours for 40 crore rupees, whereas Indian boys and girls are dying, they are crying for any help and support in their endeavour to become a world class player. No facilities on the ground, at the grass root level, no infrastructure tire, no planning, no support,” he said.

He also criticised Union Sports Minister M S Gill for asking wrestling coach Satpal to step aside at a recent photo session with World Championship gold-medallist medal winner Sushil Kumar in New Delhi.

“Maybe Gill wanted to show to the world that he was to be credited for the medal won by Sushil Kumar and Satpal had nothing to do with it,” Aslam said.

For this mega event, the Sports Ministry has spent an additional sum of 300 million rupees to upgrade and renovate the hostels of the Delhi University, as a measure of accommodation for the Games tourists.

India is expecting about two million visitors in New Delhi for the Games, as well as about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states, which will be held from October 3 to 14.

The 12-day sporting extravaganza will be India’s biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. (ANI)