Vijay Kumar Malhotra, a senior vice-president of the IOA and president of the Indian Archery Federation, made the warning during an attack on Government officials for the project being so far behind.

 

He said: "I'm afraid that since we are running out of time, the contractors might put together a sub-standard piece of architecture.

 

"I remember everyone praising how we held the 1982 Asian Games.

 

"But within a month of the event, roof started coming off Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium while the sewage system at Nehru Stadium completely collapsed."

 

Malhotra, who is also an MP for South Delhi for the Bharatiya Janata Party, has also written a letter to Sports Minister M S Gill, warning him that procurement of equipments for the Games may lead to large-scale corruption.

 

He said: "The Sports Authority of India should avoid touts and middlemen and purchase all equipments directly from the manufacturers by floating global tenders.

 

"Besides, Comptroller and Auditor General should carry out expenditure audit as well as performance audit to ensure there is no trace of corruption in the whole process."

 

Malhorta claimed that Indian competitors had already lost the advantage of competing at home next year when the event opens on October 3, 2010, because of the delays.

 

He said: "We have lost the precious home advantage.

 

"The deadline last time was December this year but it has again been pushed back to March next year.

 

"There is simply not enough time for testing events.

 

"In May-June, it will be too hot in Delhi and you have monsoon in June-July."

 

Malhorta has repeatedly warned that deadlines for construction work for the Games will be missed.

 

He said: "I don't understand what they mean when they say infrastructure would be ready in time.

 

"What do they mean by 'in time'?

 

"Does it mean a day before the opening ceremony?

 

"The same people who are responsible for criminal negligence of things are trying to become hero.

 

"Every time they visit the venues for cheap publicity, they bring construction work to a halt.

 

"They should rather apologise for their acts of omission and commission and not hamper construction work."

 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]

 

 

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