C'Wealth Games: Delhiites ready to come out and watch

With things looking brighter over  preparations for Commonwealth Games, the mood about the event  among Delhiites is finally turning positive as almost 50% of the people in the city are saying they will go out and watch the sporting extravaganza, according to a survey.

The FICCI survey says people in the city now wish to see a successful Games and there is a general acknowledgement that
the event will catalyse the development of sports infrastructure in the country and create job opportunities.

The survey was conducted among 321 people in Delhi and the National Capital Region, of which 65% were aged between 17-25 years and 35 per cent were working professionals comprising doctors, professors, investors and businessmen.

The survey said 69% of the respondents believed that the event has catalysed the development of sports infrastructure in Delhi which otherwise would not have happened. 61% of respondents are confident that CWG will lead to the creation of job opportunities in the country.

There is a confidence amongst people for economic growth post-CWG as most of the working professionals believe that
industries like hospitality, tourism, infrastructure will get  a boost as a result of the event, the FICCI said, releasing the findings of the survey.

Mostly respondents were of opinion that CWG 2010 will make a positive contribution to economic growth in the long run, it said.

The survey findings are noteworthy as construction activities, incessant rains, outbreak of dengue and conjunctivitis and security concerns had raised question marks over India's capabilities and preparedness for hosting this international event.

The survey said 74% people expect Delhi to be a  better place to live after the Games. 

Almost 50% said that they would go out and watch the Games. However there was a discernible discontent towards marketing of the events.

Thirty-one per cent respondents said they were optimistic that the event will improve India's positioning as an international investment hub and will act as a catalyst in marketing brand India.

Only 22% respondents are satisfied with the India's performance in sports and they feel that there is a long way to go.

On how India will be remembered as a nation post CWG, 29% of the respondents opined that India will earn the tag of being a good host.

32% were of opinion that India will deliver a satisfactory performance in the Games.

Most of the respondents hold the view that Indian business houses should also contribute to the development of sports talent and sports industry in India which has a great potential to bring laurels and business to the nation. 

The survey said respondents felt corruption and unprofessionalism needed to be dealt with during selection
procedures to ensure that selections are fair and transparent.

Development of sports infrastructure should not be limited to metro cities. Investment at the grass-roots level should also be made for developing similar infrastructure, the respondents said.

They also felt that effective promotional campaigns should be run for the various events of the Games to draw spectators to the stadia. They said proper information on ticket sale, types of Games and venues should be provided.

There is a need for proper planning while organising such international events to minimise inconvenience to the public, the survey said.