Commonwealth Games : DELHI 2010

Kindly Adjust !

Anand Philar

So, what's new with the Commonwealth Games? Nothing, really! And that is cynicism at its best or worst, if you so wish.

But then, to look the other way would be a bigger crime. At the last guesstimate, Kalmadi and his cohorts had blown up Rs 70,000 crores and yet, the projects are far from complete. The numbers are nothing to scoff at and rather, they reflect the seriousness of the scam or gross mismanagement or whatever else you call it.

In the past 48 hours, so much muck and stink has surfaced that even the poor stray dogs are taking shelter, though in the ''swanky'' athletes' Village! But then, the top dogs of the Organising Committee are far too busy discussing and dismissing the levels of hygiene and preparedness besides the ''minor matter'' of an overhead footbridge collapsing, leaving five persons in critical condition. It reminds me of the advert in which Dravid pleads: ''Kindly adjust''. This is what the CWG authorities are telling us to do!

False ceiling in Nehru Stadium collapses

The issue is so serious that some of the countries are even contemplating pull-out and there is a threat of the Games itself being cancelled. Highly unlikely I would say given the massive investments, but if it does happen, then all Indians should hang their heads in shame and also hang those responsible for this unholy mess.

If it were to be the days of Wild West, then I am pretty sure, there would have been daily lynching in Delhi. Having known and seen the ''Kalmadi Tribe'' for over two decades, I am least surprised at the crassness of their response to criticism, even when confronted with hard evidence. They have survived for decades and as I have often mentioned, can teach even the best of politicians a thing or two.

The Indian Media has indeed gone ballistic to highlight the financial crimes related to the CWG, but I am afraid, it's all too little too late. It would be a death-blow for Indian sports if the Games are called off, though I suspect, it will not come to that.

But of more significance is the knee-jerk reaction from the Union government itself. I mean, they could see it coming and yet, chose to maintain Sphinx-like silence until foreigners (it always has to be the white skin!) complained of ''filth and unhygienic conditions'' at the Athletes Village; as if the visitors said anything different than what the Indian Media has been highlighting for the past six months.

I am sure, the saga will continue for a while and Ponting's Australians, wrapped up in a security blanket at Chandigarh, would be relieved that the attention is on them, at least for the time being. For sure, the forthcoming series will provide us all some relief from the wretched CWG that is an unwelcome talisman around our collective neck.

Problems faced by 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games

The series would be well fought as in the past as Ponting would be keen on conquering the ''final frontier'' and it would be far more satisfying for him if can swing it as India, this time, cannot complain about being at less than full strength.

While on the subject, Yuvraj's sacking was hardly a surprise given his list of injuries as also the inclusion of young Pujara who has been scoring runs by the dozen at the domestic level. But then, Test match is a different ball game and if at all Pujara gets to play, then he can expect baptism by fire against the Aussies.

As for the rest of the squad, there are no surprises though one might debate on the inclusion of Sreesanth ahead of young Abhimanyu Mithun who impressed the discerning during the series in Sri Lanka. The Bangalore youngster deserved a bit more exposure, but he is only the latest among the ''pick up and drop'' cases that litter Indian cricket. It is to be hoped that the seamer would take his omission as a motivation to win his place back rather than get depressed over it.

I also hope that the series would be clean and well-fought without any whiff of scandal of any sort. As Dhoni remarked the other day, the responsibility lies with the players of living up to expectations.