Wonder how CWG OC slept for so long: Bishen Bedi

Wonder how CWG OC slept for so long: Bishen Bedi
Amazed by the Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Committee's laxity, spin legend Bishen Singh Bedi on Tuesday said the corruption allegations against it and the shoddy construction work at the venues have put paid to India's chances of hosting multi-sports events in near future.

Bedi said the CWG organisers have taken the country for a ride and a question mark hangs over whether Delhi can deliver a successful Games in October.

He, however, denied reports that he has asked other Commonwealth countries to boycott the Games.

"I have not said that other countries should boycott it.

Why should I say that but the allegations of corruption and the absolute lack of preparedness have caused a huge embarrassment to the country," he said.

"I can't say if India should not bid for mega events like the Asian Games or the Olympic Games but surely the whole chaos surrounding the CWG has seriously damaged the name of the country.

"The impact (of the controversies) is there to see. So many top athletes have pulled out of the Games. The organisers have taken the countrymen for a ride for their own vested interests," he said.

Bedi wondered how the organisers failed to complete the venues 45 days before the Games after getting the hosting rights seven years earlier.

"They got the Games in 2003 and I wonder how on earth they slept for so long. They started construction in 2009. In contrast, 2012 London Olympics organisers are well ahead of schedule," he said.

"Indians lack national discipline. Otherwise all these things would not have happened. You see the city is in chaos and more rain is expected in the coming days. I think Delhi is not a fit place to host mega sporting events till the civic chaos is addressed," said Bedi, who scalped 266 wickets from 67 Tests between 1967 and 1979.

Bedi also blamed the Commonwealth Games Federation for the whole mess, saying that the CGF top brass should have been more alert and pointed out the slippages strongly.

"The CGF officials should have taken stronger action.

They know that slippages have been there from the beginning. Now they have washed their hands off the situation. It has become very serious," he said.

Bedi ridiculed top Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi's plea that he was not aware of what his subordinates were doing even as corruption scandals rocked the Games.

"The top brass knew everything. Once the whole mud comes out they try to wash off their hands and engage in a blame game," said the legendary left-arm spinner.

He also said the creation of an empowered committee of secretaries by the government to oversee the preparations of the Games will not serve any purpose.

"For so long the government kept sleeping, what will the committee do now with only 45 days to go to the Games. It can only worsen the situation," he said.