Injury forces Rice out of Commonwealth Games

IRVINE: Australia's triple Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice will have shoulder surgery and miss the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October, the emotional swimmer said on Thursday.

Rice, in California to compete in the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, said she could no longer swim through the pain caused by inflammation in her right shoulder and would have surgery, probably within a fortnight.

"Obviously it's a big disappointment to me," said Rice, whose week at the PanPacs is also done. "I have to think about the bigger picture, and that's definitely London 2012."

The 22-year-old, who won Olympic gold in Beijing in the 200m and 400m individual medleys and in the 4x200m freestyle relay, was the highest profile member of the 48-strong squad named by Australia in March at the conclusion of their national championships.

But she has battled pain in her shoulder that has hindered her training.

When her shoulder came up sore after she posted a personal best in the 50m butterfly here on Wednesday, she and coach Michael Bohl agreed surgery couldn't be put off any longer.

"As disappointing as it is, I think it's the right decision," said Rice, who broke down in tears when talking to an Australian television crew but composed herself to continue discussing her plans.

"It's going to be really hard to watch the team go away and watch everyone race," Rice said.

She said the surgery would be a "clean-out" rather than reconstruction.

"They have told me rehab is 12 weeks, I guess four weeks out of the water if the surgery goes well," she said.

Despite the disappointment, Rice said it was a relief to have a plan in place, after months of coping with the injury on a day-by-day basis.

But Australian head coach Leigh Nugent admitted her loss was a big blow to the team, but indicated it would be worth it if Rice is at full strength for the 2012 Olympics in London.

"She's the spearhead of our women's team, if not the whole team," Nugent said. "We'll be taking a step backward to take a step forward in the future."

TOI

Pvt cos keen to sponsor CWG as PSUs pull out Read more: Pvt cos keen to sponsor CWG as PSUs pull out

MUMBAI/BANGALORE: Is the controversy surrounding the Commonwealth Games (CWG) scaring off sponsors? Though PSUs like NTPC and PowerGrid Corporation are threatening to pull out of the games, private sector companies so far seem to be the torchbearers for the event.

With the government on Thursday giving fresh assurances to control the damage, a section of corporates believes that the controversy could, actually, have a positive rub-off effect on the popularity of the games.

Venugopal Dhoot, chairman, Videocon Group, said, "The regular media coverage on the controversies surrounding the CWG has created public awareness on the games, which were hitherto not very popular. We have decided to spend on advertising for the commonwealth games." Videocon Group spends a couple of hundred crores on advertisements every year. The diversified consumer television manufacturer-to-mobile operator has been sponsoring various sports events such as cricket, tennis and boxing since 1991 when it first sponsored the Asia Cup Cricket.

Media buyers pointed out that even in the past, cricket, movie launches and other events have benefited from controversies. This was seen last year when the popularity of IPL went up after Harbhajan Singh slapped Sreesanth. Similarly, India-Australia series in 2008 benefited from the verbal duel between Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan. "As we near CWG and the confidence builds up, more advertisers will look at it as a great opportunity. In terms of ratings, I am sure that the controversy will aid in taking the viewership up," said Nandini Dias, COO, Lodestar, a media agency.

Clients like Hero Honda, Coca-Cola and Airtel have already tied up for CWG sponsorships. International rights and ground rights, too, have been tied up. As to whether the official beverage partner for CWG was still continuing with its sponsorship, a Coca-Cola spokesman said, "Our partnership with CWG is an extension of the company's focus on promoting healthy, active living for people and also to build social cohesiveness by using sports as a vehicle. We have been associated with several sporting events globally and in India. Our plans for CWG as its beverage partner is intact."

What Coca-Cola gains by associating with CWG is the opportunity to refresh more than 8,000 athletes and delegates, and more than 30,000 volunteers who will take part in the games. The global beverage maker believes that the New Delhi CWG will be a platform to promote sporting culture in the country and help catapult India into the league of prominent sporting nations. "The games are an important vehicle in helping us continue to connect consumers to our brands," said the Coca-Cola spokesperson.

That's not all. Companies are also seen going strong on celebrity endorsements, backing CWG sports participants. For instance, Saina Nehwal, the world No. 2 badminton player, has been approached by over 10 companies, including multinationals, for endorsement. Sports celebrity managers who TOI spoke to said that none of Saina's deals have been affected by the CWG controversy.

PSUs said to be still backing the event include the Air India Indian Railways, and Central Bank of India. Said an Air India spokesperson: "Since we are the official airline partner, there is no cash outflow. We will only be carrying the delegates and athletes to the event and their tickets are free."

An NTPC official told TOI: "After all hell broke loose, the company has become apprehensive because NTPC wants the money to be put to good use."

TOI

50 days to go: Can the CWG mess be cleared in time? Read more: 50 days to go: Can the CWG mess be cleared in time?

NEW DELHI: Five years after the plan to redevelop Connaught Place was finalised, the city's stylish central plaza looks like a war-ravaged zone. And just 50 days remain for the Commonwealth Games. Can this collosal mess be cleared in time?

That's today the Rs 450-crore question - the amount that is being spent, ostensibly for the city's beautification before the Games but which now threatens to become a huge embarrassment for the city, indeed, for India. Who is responsible for this? Not Suresh Kalmadi, in this instance, but NDMC and its parent ministry, the urban development ministry.

New stretches are being dug up in CP and old ones hurriedly filled up. Consider this: work on the three new subways that was begun has been stopped midway and the pits are being covered up only to be reopened after the event. There are pipes, cables and mounds of earth strewn all over, walkways are still being built, and the middle circle is a cavernous pit in many places.

The man who has the answers to questions like why NDMC sat on the plan for four years and started work on a project 19 months before the Games when by its own admission it should take 18-24 months - NDMC chairmanParimal Rai - appears to have gone under the radar. Despite repeated attempts by TOI throughout the day he would not respond to any of our queries.

Still, the questions demand an answer. When it took a full one year to complete the "model" C Block of CP, how did NDMC think it could fix all of CP in just 19 months? NDMC spokesman Anand Tiwari parroted stock excuses - how difficult it is to do work on a "live" street, how the subways could not be readied in time as there was a drainage junction that was discovered in the course of digging, etc.

Well, that it was a "live" street wasn't a state secret before the work was started, nor would a drainage problem have been a mystery if sewerage maps had been consulted. So, what was the tearing hurry to start the work and present the city and the nation with a humungous mess? Couldn't work wait till the Games were over?

This was Tiwari's brave answer: "We could not have waited till after the Games to start work because the two-year contract (with the contractor) is due to expire in June 2011. How could we keep all work for the last six months? And work had to be started because a lot of CP was crumbling. Would you want tourists to see a crumbling CP?"

But would we want them to see a ploughed-up CP? No chance, he assures. CP will be ready by August 31 "plus minus a few days here and there." TOI finds the claims very, very difficult to believe, although it would be the happiest if it were to be proved wrong.

As the skeleton strength of shoppers negotiate mounds of earth and balance themselves on makeshift "bridges" to get from one side to the other, it is indeed difficult to believe the assurances. Specially when of the 16 blocks where work is on, only seven have been completed so far. Only six parking lots outside of the blocks are ready and work on the middle circle road is on.

And what about the extra cost of the go-stop-go pace of work, like with the subways? "It's nominal compared to the scale of the work," Tiwari offers. But he did not give the cost escalation figure, choosing to give instead the total cost of the subway project - Rs 60 crore.

The money is big indeed. The sum allocated is Rs 450 crore, but the entire project cost is estimated to go up to a stunning Rs 860 crore, to be spent over a three-year period. Critics say that the whole project smacks of a contractor-government agency nexus, although there is no evidence yet to prove it.
Tiwari says: "Work began in 2009, as getting permission from government bodies took time. There will be a visible change in CP by August 31. Everything will be in place as far as public convenience is concerned."

Despite having initial plans of constructing eight subways, NDMC got permission to start work on only three of the subways. The three subways - two at Punchkuian Road and another at BKS Marg - have been covered with loose earth and a road will be made over it. The entry and exit points of the subway will be blocked only temporarily and work on the subways will resume after Games. In fact, the road along Punchkuian road will have to be dug up again as the work of creating retaining wall has not been completed.

Said Tiwari: "NDMC will take up subway work along the middle carriageway of the Outer Circle after Games with work having been completed at the two ends. However, digging will have to be carried out at Punchkuian Road again on the sides again." The openings made for installing escalators at the existing five subways too have been closed.

Says Tiwari: "Drainage barrels (junctions) are coming in the way of the escalator work. We will, however, try to install escalators in two subways. No decision yet on which they will be." Incidentally the sole purpose why existing subways were touched was installation of escalators. The subway near LIC building has been completely closed by NDMC.

Service lines will be placed in the duct in the middle circle only after the Games. Other components of the redevelopment plan which will be taken up only after the Games include the central cooling system, changing the flooring in the area and constructing concrete roads.

Said Tiwari: "There was some controversy over the flooring due to which we could not go ahead with the work. As far as re-laying of roads in concerned, we will upgrade them using bitumen and will later construct concrete roads." Sources say the bitumen is being used because the civic agency cannot afford to give concrete roads the time it requires to "settle" Moreover, the roads will have to be dug up again after the Games.

TOI

Somdev to lead Indian challenge in Commonwealth Games, Davis Cup

NEW DELHI: India No.1 Somdev Devvarman will lead the country's challenge in the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games men's tennis event and next month's Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against Brazil in Chennai.

Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna are other players selected Friday by the committee comprising Anil Dhupar (chairman), SP Misra, Rohit Rajpal and Balram Singh for both the events.

Yuki Bhambri, Vishnu Vardhan and VM Ranjeet have been nominated as reserve players for the Commonwealth Games.

Vishnu Vardhan, Ranjeet Virali Murugesan and Divij Sharan are the reserves for the Davis Cup tie. Misra will continue to be the non-playing captain of the team.

The selection of the women's team has been deferred by a week, till the conclusion of the ongoing coaching camp at Pune on the recommendations of the coaches for the Games' preparation -- Jaidip Mukerjea, Nandan Bal and Enrico Piperno.

"The trials are still going, the coaches are overseeing the players' performances. Once the camp gets over, they will be in a better position to recommend the names," Mukerjea said.

The selection committee also discussed the clash of the ATP World Tour doubles with the November Asian Games and has deferred the decision for nominating the team for the event.

Team:

Commonwealth Games (men's): Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman, Rohan Bopanna.

Reserves: Yuki Bhambri, Vishnu Vardhan and VM Ranjeet

Davis Cup: Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman, Rohan Bopanna.

Reserves: Vishnu Vardhan, Ranjeet Virali Murugesan and Divij Sharan

TOI

CWG scam: Kalmadi, Fennell under ED scanner

NEW DELHI: Top bosses of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and the Organizing Committee have come under the government's scanner with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sending notices to the Royal Bank of Scotland in London and to its Indian representative for providing all transaction details of payments made by the OC.

The ED investigation is now focused on trailing the ultimate beneficiaries of the payments made to four major CWG consultants - Event Knowledge Services, Fast Track Sales Ltd, Sports Marketing And Management (SMAM) and AM Films.

Preliminary findings of the probe carried out by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had revealed that undue favour had been shown to London-based Fast Track Sales Ltd "solely on the recommendation" of CGF president Mike Fennell and OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

ED officials, who questioned sacked Kalmadiaide T S Darbari a few days ago on the payments made to little-known London firm AM Films, may also call suspended OC finance committee head M Jeychandren for questioning in the next few days.

They are expected to seek details on payments made to all foreign consultants.

Sources said Kalmadi may not be called for questioning till October 13, the day the Games conclude. But efforts will be made to investigate all leads based on payments made so far to all foreign consultants by the OC.

Besides Darbari, ED has already questioned former OC deputy DG Sanjay Mohindroo for transactions related to AM Films.

The OC had approved the international broadcasting sales consultancy to Fast Track Sales Ltd "only on the basis of suggestions made by the president and CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and chairman of the OC," according to documentary evidence gathered by CAG officials during the initial inspection of CWG books.

The OC had signed agreements to the tune of Rs 208 crore ($46 million) with different agencies, including agreement in process amounting to over $3 million with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for the broadcasting rights in UK. The commission to Fast Track on these broadcast rights was 15%.

The OC secretary general, Lalit Bhanot, has defended the award of the contract to Fast Track saying it was a well thought out decision as they did not want all works to go to SMAM.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper also defended the decision of the CGF president in recommending Fast Track saying that though the federation did make this suggestion, but it was ultimately for the OC to select consultants for the New Delhi CWG.

"Although the CGF supported the appointment of Fast Track, it strongly refutes any inference that it interfered in the selection process," Hooper said adding that having awarded the Games to Delhi, it is for the OC to decide who it wants to appoint for any outsourced role.

ED is probing linkages of SMAM with the Mauritius-based World Sports Group (WSG). The latter had received Rs 380 crore "facilitation fee" in the IPL-Gate and is still under scanner of multiple agencies in India. SMAM was also the agency that was hired by the Kalmadi-led OC for the Youth Games in Pune in 2008.

The other consultancy firm to whom payments have been made is the Swiss headquartered EKS that was hired by the CWG organisers to provide knowhow on the conduct of the Games.

TOO

Interim CAG report points fingers at Kalmadi-led CWG OC Read more: Interim CAG report points fingers at Kalmadi-led CWG OC

NEW DELHI: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its interim inspection report has found some discrepancies in choosing consultants for global broadcasting rights and sponsorship deal for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games here.

The report found that the games Organising Committee of which Suresh Kalmadi is the chairman had awarded the sponsorship deal to Melbourne-based Sports Marketing and Management (SMAM) at a very cheap price, official sources said on Wednesday night.

The sponsorship deal has since been scrapped on grounds of 'non-performance', a claim that has been refuted by the Australian firm, which said the charges against it are "imaginary".

UK's Fast Track Sales Ltd was chosen as the consultant for the broadcasting rights.

The inspection of the CWG Organising Committee was done by field officers between November 2009 and January 2010. The inspection report has been sent to the Committee for its comments and it was not immediately known if a response has been made.

It was pointed out that the report related to an inspection done by field officers and it was not an audit report. It was also said that the final report may differ from the findings of the inspection report.

The sources said there was also a mention of Maxxam International in the interim report which raised questions on the procedures adopted for the Queen's Baton Relay, held in London last year.

This deal for organising the event went to Maxxam which reportedly had emerged as the highest bidder.

TOI

15-day practice is enough for CWG, says Tejaswini

15-day practice is enough for CWG, says Tejaswini

NEW DELHI, Aug 9: Asserting that delay in completion of the CWG venues would not rob country’s athletes of home advantage, India’s first World Champion woman shooter Tejaswini Sawant on Monday said just 15-day vigorous practice is enough to prepare for the Commonwealth Games.

Sawant said lack of knowledge of the Munich venue, where she won gold on Sunday, hardly affected her chances.

“One month is enough to get trained for the Commonwealth Games. Even 10-15 days of rigorous training would be enough for us,” said Tejaswini, who was in the capital along with another shooter Gagan Narang to meet Sports Minister MS Gill.

“We will not lose the home advantage. It’s not that I had always practiced in Munich before clinching gold there. I was unaware of the conditions there. I straight went into the championship. What helped me there was my determination, clear aim and positive mindset.

“Same is here in India. You need all these three traits to win medals. You can’t pass on the buck by saying venues are incomplete. It makes a very small difference,” the rifle shooter said.

Some former athletes and administrators feel that India’s medal prospects will be hit badly as many of the venues have not been made available to athletes to get acclimatised.

Tejaswini though is confident that Indian shooters will do well at October 3-14 Games here.

“It’s very important to consider what conditions are you practicing. Practice, positive mindset, concentration are the most important assets of a player. We will produce our best in the Games,” she said.

Tejaswini shot a score of 597 (100, 100, 100, 99, 99, 99), equalling the 1998 record set by Marina Bobkova of Russia.

“I was not thinking about a medal or a world record. Having got both, it’s just amazing. It’s a dream come true. My coaches, including Kazakh coach Stanislav Lapidus, made some plans for me and I am glad that everything worked accordingly,” the shooter from Kolhapur said.

Tejaswini dedicated her victory to her late father. She recalled how at one point financial constrains forced her to consider giving up shooting, but the strong support of her family, especially her father, kept her going.

“I dedicate this medal to my father. I proved him right. I fulfilled his dreams,” she said.

Tejaswini’s father passed away on February 23 when she was competing at the Commonwealth Championships here. (PTI)

Commonwealth Games: Delhi to miss date again?

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's promise of completing all Commonwealth Games projects being implemented by her government by the extended deadline of August 31 is appearing to fall flat.

Top officials in Delhi government admitted that key projects like Barapullah Nallah elevated road and renovation of the Yamuna Sports Complex, apart from street-scraping around the Games venues are unlikely to finished by August-end.

Chief secretary Rakesh Mehta said although a carriageway of the Barapulla Nallah elevated road will be completed by August 25, the construction activities on second carriageway could be finished by first week of September only.

The four-km-long elevated road between Sarai Kale Khan and the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main venue of the event, is being built to provide uninterrupted traffic flow from Games Village near Akshardham temple to the stadium. The over Rs 550-crore project has already missed several deadlines.

Similarly, renovation of Yamuna Sports Complex, where archery and table tennis events will take place, is not likely to be completed by August-end. Peripheral works in and around Talkatora Stadium and Karni Singh Shooting Range are also not expected to be over by the deadline.

Finance minister AK Walia has publicly stated that work in Yamuna Sports Complex will not be over by the month-end.

Delhi government had undertaken projects worth over Rs 10,000 crore to improve infrastructure in the city ahead of the Games that start on October 3.

Works related to plantation and greenery are also lagging far behind. Although plantation works have been allowed to run through September, several agencies planning to put up potted plants are a bit confused as police have objected to placing the pots near the gates of the venues.

Facing severe criticism for delay in finishing Games-related projects, Dikshit had last month directed all agencies concerned to complete pending work within the final deadline.

Top PWD officials, overseeing street-scraping projects across the city, have also admitted that the works will only be over by mid-September. The department has deployed an additional workforce of 700 labours to wrap up the street-scraping projects.

"Nine agencies are working on various projects to improve various infrastructures in the city. Some of the projects are getting delayed because of lack of coordination among the agencies," said chief secretary Mehta.

Questions are also being raised over whether the 2,000 flats being renovated by the DDA in Vasant Kunj for stay of technical staff of the Games will be completed ahead of the mega sporting event. DDA engineers, earlier in the week, had said that they will not be able to complete the flats before the Games.

TOI

Under-pressure, Kalmadi says ready for CAG or judicial probe

Under-pressure, Kalmadi says ready for CAG or judicial probe

NEW DELHI, Aug 4: Cornered by allegations of corruption in the Commonwealth Games’ preparations and isolated within his own party, under-fire Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Wednesday said he is ready to face any CAG or judicial probe into the financial transactions related to the event.

“I, as chairman of the Organising Committee, am prepared to face any scrutiny by (Comptroller and Auditor General) CAG or even a judicial probe for all financial transactions being reported by the media. All the people found guilty will be punished and brought to book,” Kalmadi said in a statement.

Kalmadi’s statement came a day after more allegations of irregularities and the Indian High Commission’s e-mails being ‘doctored’ came to light. The Congress party also distanced itself from Pune MP.

Delhi Games in crisis as clock runs down

NEW DELHI: The Commonwealth Games in New Delhi have been plunged into crisis just two months before the opening ceremony by allegations of corruption, shoddy workmanship and delays in handing over venues.

Monday should have witnessed the final handover -- already twice delayed -- of the venues to the event directors, but four are still under construction and others are the focus of a row over sub-standard work.

The Games, which India had hoped would be a showcase for its emergence as a global economic power, are scheduled to begin on October 3.

The charges of rampant corruption and concerns over the ballooning cost have drowned out increasingly desperate-sounding assurances from top Indian officials, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, that preparations are on track.

An Indian anti-corruption body last week reported it had found a host of problems with construction work, including use of poor quality materials and dubious contracts.

The chief technical examiner from the Central Vigilance Commission inspected 15 sites around the national capital and found a number of irregularities and suspect practices by contractors and public bodies.

The Times of India said all construction quality certificates inspected so far had turned out to be fake or "suspect."

Indian media also reported that the British government had raised questions about suspect sums being transferred from the organising committee to a British-based firm.

The reports prompted the chairman of the Games organising committee, Suresh Kalmadi, to address a hurried press conference where he slammed the media for conducting a "prejudiced campaign".

"I wish to state that we have nothing to hide and I stand before you with clear conscience and complete conviction," Kalmadi said.

"We believe in total transparency. The campaign is very demoralising for athletes and officials who have been working day and night for many years now to make the Games a success.

"The need of the hour is to get on with the Games and be united to make this happen. Let not corruption be the only highlight. There are many positive things to write and talk about."

Media coverage has become increasingly negative as the games approach.

The India Today news magazine dubbed the event the "Shame Games" while a recent editorial in The Times of India said it was "in danger of becoming an exhibition of ineptitude and incompetence."

The event involving 71 nations is already the costliest Commonwealth Games in history, with an infrastructure and organising budget of two billion dollars. Unofficial estimates say the cost will be at least three times that amount.

The desperate race to get everything finished in time has been hampered by heavy monsoon rains that have turned worksites across the city into mudbaths and even flooded some of the main venues.

Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper said Monday he was concerned about the Central Vigilance Commission's report and made it clear that the organisers would refuse to take over suspect venues.

"We will not accept the handover of any venue if appropriate documents are not there attesting that the venues are fit for the purpose," Hooper said.

Opposition parties have seized on the corruption allegations to condemn the government's handling of preparations for the Games.

Police had to use water cannon on Monday to disperse opposition activists who marched to parliament with banners bearing slogans including: "Is it Commonwealth Games or the Loot of the Common Man?"

Other Commonwealth nations have expressed concerns about the situation, although Perry Crosswhite, the chief executive of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association, said he suspected political motives at play.

"It looks like the parties and the government there are having a go at each other and no doubt everybody has got their little axe to grind," Crosswhite said on Monday.

"These things tend to happen before these types of events -- the blame game happens.

TOI

Govt assures action in CWG ‘corruption’

Govt assures action in CWG ‘corruption’

NEW DELHI, Aug 1: Hit by allegations of corruption in the Commonwealth Games, the government today promised to take action against those found guilty even as another venue was inaugurated with a leaking roof. Union urban development minister S Jaipal Reddy was in damage-control mode over the Central Vigilance Commission's report on widescale corruption in Games' construction projects. “CVC has come out with preliminary remarks on the alleged irregularities in the construction of Commonwealth venues. I assure you that all concerned would be punished. Nothing would be spared. We will seriously look into it,” Reddy said during the inauguration of the Weightlifting auditorium inside the Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium complex here today. The Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, who was forced to address an hour-long press conference to rebutt charges of financial bunglings yesterday, was issuing clarifications yet again. The Indian Olympic Association chief insisted that the UK-based firm at the center of a corruption row that has hit OC was recommended by the Indian High Commission despite an embarrassing denial issued by it earlier.The Indian High Commission had denied recommending A M Films, the little-known UK-based firm which allegedly received lakhs of pounds for providing its ‘services’ during the Queen's Baton Relay in London. (PTI)

UK government follows CWG cash trail

LONDON: The Indian High Commission has alerted the Union government about investigations launched by UK authorities into cash transfers of Pounds 2,47,469 (approx Rs 1.68 crore) in October 2009 from the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee (OC) to a UK-based company, AM Films UK Ltd.

The money was transferred in lieu of services obtained from the UK company during the Queen's Baton Relay function in London in October last year. The British Revenue and Customs Department has now written to the Indian High Commission, saying there are discrepancies in the payment of this money by the OC.

The UK government has stated that apart from Pounds 2,47,469, a figure of Pounds 25,000 (Rs 17 lakh) is being transferred every month into the account of UK-based AM Films. A rough estimate reveals that nearly Pounds 4,50,000 (Rs 3.06 crore) has been transferred to AM Films until now.

A visit by TIMES NOW to the premises of AM Films UK Ltd in London showed that the company on location was AM Vehicles Hire Ltd. Further, Ashish Patel, the director, had since resigned from the company on July 14, 2010. The details of the investigations are now being tracked by ED.

Documents with TIMES NOW show that the deal came to light when the OC asked for a VAT refund of Pounds 14,000 in March this year for payments to AM Films. The deal's scrutiny led to the Revenue & Customs Criminal Investigation Team pointing out loopholes in the contract awarded to AM Films.

In a letter dated June 7 to the Indian High Commissioner Nalin Surie, Meera Rajah of Revenue & Customs said there was no written contract between the CWG and the UK-based AM Films, no tendering procedure was followed, and no paperwork regarding the contract was done.

A release issued by OC secretary-general Lalit K Bhanot stated, "The OC firmly refutes allegations of financial irregularities with relation to the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay...we have followed due diligence in making all payments, getting the clearances from the Executive Board and from Reserve Bank of India for incurring the expenditure in foreign currency. All remittances happened against this clearance."

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit tersely told TV channels, "We will look into the matter."

The discrepancies show that while OC states that it transferred Pounds 2,47,469 to account no. 22701021 (Sort Code 151000) with Royal Bank of Scotland for video equipment purchased, AM Films has claimed that it provided services of "car hire, make-shift toilets, barriers and electricity". The differing versions and investigations of lack of procedures, raised the alarm. British officials also met Indian High Commission officials on June 14.

India's Deputy High Commissioner in London R N Prasad's letter (dated June 14), a copy of which is with TIMES NOW, to the sports ministry and the MEA seeks advice on the reply to be given to the UK government. This letter and its details are now with ED, which launched investigations into the deal on July 21.

The question raised by UK authorities is whether AM Films, which is supposed to have supplied video equipment, but which supplied cars for rentals as per its own admission, is now providing consultancy for costume designing for which it is receiving Pounds 25,000 per month.

An internal note on June 14 by Rahul Srivastava, first secretary in the high commission in London, states that AM Films is a one-man company owned by Ashish Patel, aka Ash Patel, who has been introduced to T S Darbari and Sanjay Mahendroo of the OC.

Darbari, director, corporate strategy in the Organizing Committee (OC), was recently suspended after a Customs complaint in India but was reinstated after the intervention of OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi through a letter written to Union sports minister M S Gill on April 29, 2010. With the CVC spotlight on CWG deals, the latest disclosures are likely to add to the discomfiture of the CWG brass.

TOI

Sorry for skipping CWG: Bolt to India

JAIPUR: Usain Bolt on Thursday apologised to Indian fans for his decision to skip the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. In an exclusive interview to TOI, world's best sprinter, and perhaps the greatest ever, also hoped that he would one day be able to make up for it.

"Sorry that I can't make it this time. Hope to see you in the future," Bolt said in a message to the Indian fans, in reply to a query from TOI.

Bolt, who holds the world record in 100m as well as 200m, was expected to be part of the Jamaican squad for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games set to be held in October.

His name was also included in the initial list of the Jamaican squad. However, his agent made it clear some days ago that Bolt would give Delhi Games a skip.

Bolt said in his latest interview to TOI on Thursday: "It would have been nice as I haven't competed in the Commonwealth Games before but the timing was wrong for me."

TOI

Excerpts from the interview:

What is the current status of your Achilles tendon injury?

It is much better now, almost healed. It is not bothering me at all at the moment and should be perfectly fine soon.

You weren't very happy with your recent race in Paris GP. Which aspect bothered you?

Actually I was quite happy with the fact that I had won it. However, I found that my strength was down due to missed training and that was a matter of concern. But then I am now trying to catch up and I hope by my next race, I would have corrected that.

Justin Gatlin is set to return next month. What do you expect from him?

To tell you the truth, I have no idea as I do not know how he has been training.

The Commonwealth Games in New Delhi was never in your focus, yet is there any disappointment in missing it?

It would have been really nice as I haven't competed in the Commonwealth Games before but the timing was all wrong for me as I need to get ready for the World Championships in 2011 and Olympic Games in 2012. Those two events are very important and all athletes focus on them. It is crucial that we remain in peak shape for them.

Was there any pressure on you to participate in the Commonwealth Games?

No, I wouldn't say there was any pressure. In fact, I wasn't thinking about it. It was up to my coach to make the decision based on what is best for my career. I am sure he made the right decision.

Indian fans are very disappointed that you won't be coming.

I am really sorry that I can't make it this time. As I said, it would have been really nice and I do hope to see you in the future.

What timings are you looking at before the season gets over?

I am confirmed in 3 races as of now - Stockholm, Zurich and Brussels. There will be good competition in all these races and I do hope to have some good timings.

Are you satisfied with the way the season has shaped up so far?

Yes, I think so. My aim before the season was to go through it unbeaten and so far I have managed to keep it that way. It has been good.

You are likely to face Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell in Stockholm. How important is that race?

It will be a good race. It will be the first time this year that all three of us will run together in the same race. The competition will be good and each one of us will be tested.

You are a passionate follower of cricket. How would you compare Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara?

They each bring different styles to the game and each are masters of their specific craft. They have helped to keep cricket popular, especially in their respective regions.

Would you be willing to visit India for some competition at a later date?

Absolutely. I do hope I get to visit India one day in the near future.

Govt not to fix responsibility for CWG 2010 delays

STAFF WRITER 15:57 HRS IST

New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) The delay in infrastructure construction which marred the build-up to the Commonwealth Games may have irked many and dented India's international reputation but the government does not plan to fix any responsibility for it.

The delays have led to a situation where work is being done at break-neck pace to ensure completion of the venues and other infrastructure.

Asked whether there would be any accountability for it in the Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for Sports Pratik Prakashbapu Patil merely said,"No, madam."

The government does, however, plan to maintain a vigil over the construction work being carried out for the October 3 to 14 event.

"The works of the Commonwealth games are being intensively monitored at various levels of the government," Patil said.

"Most of the sports-related projects related to the Commonwealth games have been completed.

Bindra, Saina among 6 brand ambassadors for Commonwealth Games

NEW DELHI: Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra, ace shuttler Saina Nehwal and boxing hero Vijender Singh are among the half a dozen sportspersons who were on Tuesday named brand ambassadors for this year's Commonwealth Games.

Best athlete of the 2006 Commonwealth Games Samaresh Jung, Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar and four-time world champion woman boxer M C Mary Kom are the other three brand ambassadors for Delhi 2010.

The six would be the faces of the Games to be held from October 3 to 14.

"These champions have done India proud with their achievements and will serve as remarkable Brand Ambassadors for the Games," Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi said at the inaugurations of the event's main venue Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

"Their passion, personality, and presence as well as their amazing pursuit of excellence truly reflect the vision of the Organising Committee. Their focus, mental strength and resilience make them role models, inspiring generations of Indians not just with their achievements but also with their work ethic, discipline and determination.

"It ties up with the ideals of the Organising Committee and I am sure these champions will inspire Indians to back the Commonwealth Games and take to Olympic sport," he added.

The 27-year-old Bindra won top honours in the 10m air rifle event at the ISSF World Shooting Championship in Zagreb in 2006 and became the first Indian to clinch an individual gold medal at the Olympics.

He has also won two gold, a silver and a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and Melbourne.

Barely 20, Saina began with a quarterfinal appearance at the Olympic Games and has since won three Super Series crowns in the past 12 months.

Air pistol expert Jung, 40, has won seven gold medals, three silver and a bronze in the last two editions of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and Melbourne. His haul of five gold, a silver and a bronze in 2006 saw him being named for the David Dixon Award for the best athlete of the Games.

Before his middle weight category bronze in the Olympic Games, the 24-year-old Vijender won a silver in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games as well as bronze medals in the Asian Games at Doha in 2006. Last year, he became the first Indian boxer to clinch a medal at the World Amateur Championship by managing a bronze in Milan.

Sushil, 27, won the bronze medal at the Olympic Games in 2008 and is a two-time bronze medal winner at the Asian Wrestling Championships in 2003 and 2008. He also has three gold medals at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

Besides winning the World Championship crowns in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008, Mary Kom, 27, has claimed the Asian Championship as many as three times.

Having come back to the ring as a mother of twins, she is has been named the face of women's boxing by the International Boxing Association.

"We are at the cusp of staging the biggest sporting celebrations ever in India and I am confident that this squad of six Brand Ambassadors will find universal appeal across the nation. I believe that they will lend their charisma to ensure that the Games are a huge draw with the people," Kalmadi said.

TOI

Kalmadi calls Aiyar's remark against Games 'anti-naional'

NEW DELHI: Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Tuesday hit back at former sports minister Mani Shankar Aiyar for his scathing criticism of the upcoming event, saying the senior Congress leader's comments are "irresponsible" and "anti-national".

Aiyar today said he would be "unhappy" if the Commonwealth Games were a success and that only "evil" will patronise them.

Reacting to the statement, Kalmadi said, "No individual can spoil the Games. It is totally irresponsible and ridiculous statement from such a senior person, who has also headed the sports ministry earlier. No Indian national can speak like that.

"With the Commonwealth Games fast approaching, he should know his responsibilities and think before making such a statement. He is an elected member of Rajya Sabha and it is totally an anti-national statement from him.

"It was because of his openness that he was removed from the Sport Minister's post. If he would have been the minister, the Commonwealth Games would never have come to India," Kalmadi said.

Earlier in the day, Aiyar criticised the money being spent for the October mega-event and said he would be unhappy if the Games are a success.

"I am delighted in a way because rains are causing difficulties for the Commonwealth Games. Basically, I will be very unhappy, if the Games are successful because then they will start bringing Asian Games, Olympic Games and all these," he had told reporters outside Parliament House.
TOI

Games to run on Tata Motors vehicles

NEW DELHI: Tata Motors has struck a barter sponsorship deal wherein it will provide 1,800 new cars to organisers of Commonwealth Games to ferry athletes in lieu of its advertisements as a logistics solutions sponsor for the 12-day sporting event.

In a unique arrangement with the Commonwealth Games Committee it would provide these vehicles in exchange for association with the event and will take them back after the sporting event ends.

The cost of these vehicles is expected to in the range of Rs 140-150 crore. However, they will be sold after the sporting event through its used car business ‘Tata Motors Assured’. The value of the nearly fresh vehicles may depreciate by around 20% that could mean Tata Motors is getting the logistics sponsors rights for around Rs 30 crore.

Tata Motors refused to comment on the broader contours of the deal: “We are supplying these vehicles for advertisement benefits and would not like to disclose the commercial implication of the entire deal,” the Tata Motors spokesman said.

Tata Motors will supply 1,600 cars (Indica and Indigo) besides 100 Sumo Grandes and 50 Safaris from its sports utility vehicle stable. It will also supply 20 Wingers besides 30 trucks for the movement of players and organisers. Tata Motors is also providing complete transport solution to the ongoing Queen’s Baton Relay, with its flagship SUV Land Rover Discovery 4, Sumo Grandes and other vehicles being utilised for the country-wide event.

Other auto companies like Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra and Toyota Kirloskar were also in the fray to supply vehicles but failed to get any supply contracts, as per the spokesman for the organising committee.

Meanwhile, luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz is also expected to provide around 50 vehicles—a mix of sedans and SUVs — for the Games that would be utilised for the movement of dignitaries and other important functionaries. The deal is yet to be finalised and company executives said that they are evaluating options for the games.

“The exact quantum of the deal would be determined by the class of vehicles that would be taken by the organisers. A final decision on the deal has not been taken yet,” a senior Mercedes-Benz India executive said.

ET

CM tells agencies to work through night at CWG sites

STAFF WRITER 18:56 HRS IST

New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) With pressure mounting on the Delhi government to complete Commonwealth Games' projects, a jittery Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today ordered agencies concerned to work through the night to finish work at the sites on time.

At a high-level meeting, Dikshit told PWD, MCD, NDMC, DJB and several other agencies to deploy workforce during the night also to complete the projects before the final deadline of August 31.

"I have instructed agencies to work during night also where ever it is necessary. We have already obtained permission from police for that," Dikshit said after the meeting.

Other officials attending the meeting said, Dikshit directed all the agencies to "work very hard" and strictly meet the final deadline.

Commonwealth Games: Only 6 Village towers ready

NEW DELHI: It's not just the Delhi government facing a manpower crunch for completion of projects related to the Commonwealth Games 2010. Lack of adequate manpower has also had an impact on the work at the Commonwealth Games Village.

According to sources, ITDC, which has been entrusted with the task of furnishing the 34 towers at the Village, has managed to furnish only about six till date. The reason is reportedly lack of adequate labour force. The handover of the Village to the Organising Committee takes place on August 1.

Said a senior official, "The agreement with ITDC was that furnishing of the towers would be completed in three weeks from the day they were handed over to them by the venue owners, in this case, the Delhi Development Authority.'' The handover took place a fortnight ago, claimed DDA officials.

However, less than 10 towers have been furnished till date a fact that has sent distress signals in government circles. Said a senior official, "Of the three weeks that ITDC was supposed to take to finish furnishing the flats, more than a week has gone by. The 1,100-odd flats are now expected to be ready only by August 25.''

ITDC officials, meanwhile, refused to comment on the reason for the delay. PRO, Manjula Arun, directed queries to the ITDC chairman, Lalit Pawar, who was unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts.

Sources, however, admit that the reason behind the delay is the lack of manpower. "The work is progressing at a slow pace because enough labour is not available. It's a long process as furnishings like television sets, refrigerators, furniture and decoration pieces have to be unwrapped, put together and set up in every room. It requires a lot of manpower.''

The lack of manpower, in fact, had prompted the L-G, Tejendra Khanna, to visit the Village site on July 20, and ask for augmentation of manpower at the site to enable completion by July 31. It wasn't the first such visit by the L-G. Said Ranjan Mukherjee, OSD to the L-G, "The L-G has been visiting the Village regularly so that preparations get a fillip. The impact is visible: The developers have handed over more than 20 towers to DDA till date, and the rest will be done over the next week.''

DDA officials, meanwhile, say the process to hand over the towers to ITDC for furnishing began in early July. Said a senior DDA official, "The first tower was handed over more than a fortnight ago. We have been handing over the rest as and when we got them from the developers.''

Sources confirmed that some items were still to be received from China, from where ITDC is sourcing them.

TOI

Delhi to get 50 luxury public toilets before Games

Delhi to get 50 luxury public toilets before Games

NEW DELHI: After getting a clearance from the Delhi high court, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is gearing up to construct 50 luxury pay-and-use public toilets in the capital before the Commonwealth Games, an official said on Wednesday.

"Initially, we planned to build 218 five-star toilets in the city, but with the legal hurdles being solved only in the second week of July, we have little time to build so many before the Games in October. So, we will be building 50 toilets,'' a senior MCD official.

The project for pay-and-use toilets was floated last September but was held up due to litigation. The cost of constructing one toilet block is estimated to be around Rs 1 crore.

On Tuesday, Justice R S Endlaw dismissed a petition by a businessman, from Greater Kailash-I, opposing the civic agency's move to acquire 1,200 square feet in N-block market for building air-conditioned toilets.