Delhi delivered a terrific festival of sport: Glasgow CWG official

NEW DELHI - The Delhi Commonwealth Games will be remembered for the “terrific festival of sports” it produced and not the pre-Games controversies, feels representative of Glasgow Commonwealth Games Organising Committee which will host the next Games in 2014.

Gordon Arthur, Director of Communications for Glasgow Games, has been staying here for last 14 days, and feels they have learnt quite a few things while observing Delhis preparation for the 19th edition of the Games.

We have been here from last 14 days. We have had an interesting time here. Delhi has had its problems but they have pulled off great Games. They put out a terrific festival of sports for the people. The opening ceremony was absolutely marvellous, Arthur told IANS minutes before the start of the closing ceremony at the majestic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Every Games have had their problems and Delhi had their own. Delhi will be remembered for its great culture, as the opening ceremony and all those who have seen it will remember it for the rest of their lives. We in Glasgow will be showing our culture through our opening ceremony. All the controversies have already been forgotten. We in Glasgow call it Tomorrows Chip Paper, Gordon said.

We have our own eight minutes today (Closing ceremony) and I hope people will love it.

There were apprehensions ranging from health to security, leading withdrawal of many athletes to pull out from the Games and raising doubts on Indias potential to hold the Games.

Arthur said they would be reflecting on the observations made here on there return to Glasgow.

The important thing which we have learnt being here that we have to keep the Games Village ready in advance as the athletes begin to come in early and it can be quite chaotic if is left to the last minutes. We will be having our own tight schedule and we have to ensure that every thing is in place, he said.

(Pragya Tiwari can be contacted at pragya.t@ians.in)