Games chief defiant over poor crowds

Delhi Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi risked ridicule today as he appeared to be in denial over the near empty stadiums which greeted the first day of the Commonwealth Games.

Kalmadi, already under fire following a fraught build-up to the Games, insisted there had been queues “a mile long” outside venues and that the problems had been caused by a lack of ticket kiosks.

Kalmadi went on to insist 600,000 tickets had already been sold for the Games - a number which would require almost all stadiums to sell out for the duration of the competition in order to be achieved.

Although attendances did slightly increase on the second day, with the boxing and swimming venues seeing a notable improvement, most sports were still being played out in front of largely empty stands.

Kalmadi said: “Some tickets were unsold but some competitions were good. We are now fully ready. We have set up ticket boxes at all the stadiums because there were big queues yesterday of up to a mile.

“There were issues and problems but there won’t be any more problems. Six lakh [600,000] tickets were sold. No Games filled out on the first day. The last issues are just being worked out.”

Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper appeared perplexed by some of Kalmadi’s statements, smiling ruefully as Kalmadi continually responded to questions by insisting he would answer them the following day.

But Hooper insisted he had no personal issues with the Games following reports of his effigies being burned on the city streets as a result of comments made by the chief executive during the troubled build-up.

Hooper said: “Of course it was upsetting but as far as do I feel safe in Delhi? Yes I do. The security arrangements that are in place are appropriate and I don’t have any issues with that.”

Meanwhile CGF president John Fennell admitted there was “concern” over the lack of spectators but paid tribute to the members of the Delhi public who turned out for Sunday’s successful opening ceremony.

Fennell said: “One thing that is causing us concern is that yesterday it was quite clear that a number of venues did not have a lot of spectators. The Organising Committee are confident the venues can be filled in the weeks to come.

“It is too early for me to say what the problem is. We have a number of days left of competition and it’s not over till it’s over. We will watch the situation and monitor it each day.

“What is impressing me is how the people of Delhi have taken to the Games. The stadium was full and the reception for the athletes was tremendous. It demonstrated to the athletes that they are being warmly welcomed by the citizens of Delhi.”

Kalmadi, asked if the organisers would consider giving some free tickets to schoolchildren, said: “We are working on the children from schools. Already steps are being taken in that direction and also from the low level of society.”