The curtain is set to fall on the trending Commonwealth Games 2010 today. The grand sporting event has been a witness to both bitter-sweet incidents ranging from the chaotic arrangements at the CWG Village to a pompous opening ceremony held on October 3. The gorgeous opener pushed the bad press surrounding the event into a corner and made Indians go gaga.
Till the multi-discipline sports festival involving 71 nations began, many companies were wary of associating their brand with the games – limiting the number of official corporate sponsorships.
But, than, what are our own PSU companies for?
The Government has often nudged the large public sector companies to come at its rescue at such times – be it oil subsides from major Oil Marketing companies, lapping up state-owned IPO/FPO’s by LIC or forcefully pushing these companies to associate themselves with the Games in the absence of adequate number of private sponsors who abandoned the games because of negative publicity around it during the initial days.
But, as they say – all is well, that ends well! As of now in the concluding day, India have exact 100 medals in their kitty constituting 38 gold, 26 silver and 36 bronze. They also currently hold 2nd position in neck to neck fight with England.
With Indian players proving their mettle and registering victory in various fronts, all the sins of the organizing committee are wiped-out. The thumping Indian victories will definitely inspire the youth towards the varied sporting events.
Theoretically, improper organisation of the CWG could have thrown a bad light on the prowess of Indian government’s ability to manage an event on the global podium – and further to its ability to manage the India’s economic juggernaut. But, with a sound proceedings of programming, the Indian image has emerged unscathed despite dire predictions about the games.
The CWG organizers had to call onto luxury hotel chains to clean up mess at the Games Village – which further reaffirms my belief that the booming India Growth Story is more about the private sector economic evolution; rather than the public sector revolution which is still immersed in red-tapism.
As I am writing this, the world is awaiting the 45-minute closing ceremony to be held in evening which has been divided into 6 segments including a display of martial arts with artistes drawn from various parts of the country and a showcase of India’s rich cultural heritage.
The pundits are already betting on the closing programme to be a crispier affair than that of the opening ceremony held on October 3.
Jai Hind !