Games' revenue from television rights will help repay govt loan: Kalmadi

Commonwealth Games organisers have earned Rs100 crore more than the targeted revenue from television rights, and it would be able to repay the loan of Rs16,000 crore to the government, organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said today.

Kalmadi said by sorting out the timings of disciplines to suit the live coverage for different countries, the committee has assured an amount of Rs300 crore, which is 100 crore more than the targeted Rs200 crore.

"Ours is a revenue-neutral budget. We have taken Rs16,000 crore as loan from the government, all others are as grants. We are getting revenues from four sources -- sponsorship, television rights, merchandising and tickets. We will be able to pay back the loan," Kalmadi said.

"The TV revenue has exceeded the target of Rs200 crore. By slotting the timing of different disciplines to suit different countries, we have been able to earn Rs300 crore. For example, by giving Australian broadcasters the time for swimming, and athletics to England," he said after signing a memorandum of understanding with Hero Honda as the Games' presenting partners for the national sector of Queen's Baton Relay.

Kalmadi, who abruptly left the function without facing the media, expressed happiness at the response of the private sector to become partners in successfully hosting the Delhi Games.