India has been in the media spotlight these last few weeks in the build up the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, scheduled to open on 3 October. Whereas hosting the event should have signaled India’s emergence on the international stage and an opportunity for important infrastructure investment, preparations have been dogged by allegations of corruption and incompetence. Conflicts of interest have come to light between Games organisers and private companies in the way contracts were awarded. Athletes’ accommodation described as filthy, facilities collapsing and the increasing concern over security has been a public relations nightmare for India.
Emerging countries are increasingly eager to host major sports events. In doing so, they have the opportunity to invest in infrastructure and to demonstrate a new and improved image. In recent years, both the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and, to a lesser extent, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, have enjoyed relative success. Looking ahead, Brazil will play host to the 2014 FIFA World Cup as well as the Olympic Games in Rio two years later. Not to be outdone by the other BRIC countries, Russia will host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
India’s experience will no doubt throw into question the confidence of emerging countries to stage major sports events. Hosting such events remains a significant challenge and there is huge downside to getting it wrong. How much should we read into successes and failures at hosting such global events?
Great blog.It's a great honour to host games like these.The historic national city of the country is all geared up to host one of the most spectacular and panoramic events of the world.
ReplyDeletemerrine
Good point, point-consulting
ReplyDeleteNot sure that India showed a good image on this case and it could more or less impact the image of India for some investors...
Dissapointing that this article has toed the same line as the majority of the world media which is very easy to do and frankly tiresome. Research will show the same recurrent problems crop up wherever an event is held.Proof can be found in the plethora of white elephants littering landscapes in LA, Athens and Sydney. The UK managed to get it wrong when hosting a news years celebration back in 2000! The millenium dome nevermind Wembley.Over budget, over time and diseased with litigation.
ReplyDeleteTo suggest an event like this will instill or drain confidence in a nations ability to host a global attraction is story making for story making sake.
Investors and business will always boom where opportunity beckons. The commonwealth games is an event with small standing in the global context and so would have benefited from any press coverage. Memories of these events have a short lifespan and to suggest otherwise is sentimental.
Some 'insight' into the mechanisms involved in hosting a game and how different nations would deal with them would have been more interesting.