India sports minister M. S. Gill has criticised the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) for failing to secure participation of a number of star athletes at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The comments were made after British cyclist and Olympic champion Chris Hoy announced it was pulling out of the Games so as to focus on Europian championships. This was followed by a similar decision from Jamaican sprinter and Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt. Bolt has explained that the event is too late in the season for him to be able to attend the same. He would prefer to start training for next year.
“If these stars failed to turn up, then a lot of efforts will go waste. I again request CGF president Mike Fennell to esnure better particiation of athletes and not officials. I want all ‘A’ list of players.” said Gill.
However, organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi highlighted that most of the participating countries will be sending their biggest delegations ever: “If one or two do not come, it does not matter. The Games will go on, the best of the world are coming and new champions will be created.”
Gill said athletes prefer to take part in regional competitions over the Commonwealth Games because these events qualify for the Olympics and he plans to raise this issue at a meeting of sports ministers from all the Commonwealth nations on October 4.
“If these stars failed to turn up, then a lot of efforts will go waste. I again request CGF president Mike Fennell to esnure better particiation of athletes and not officials. I want all ‘A’ list of players.” said Gill.
However, organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi highlighted that most of the participating countries will be sending their biggest delegations ever: “If one or two do not come, it does not matter. The Games will go on, the best of the world are coming and new champions will be created.”
Gill said athletes prefer to take part in regional competitions over the Commonwealth Games because these events qualify for the Olympics and he plans to raise this issue at a meeting of sports ministers from all the Commonwealth nations on October 4.
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