Will India Bid For Next Asian Games? Opinion Sought From Officials

[JANASENA]

New Delhi:  The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is racing against the clock to line up a potential 2019 Asian Games bid after original host Vietnam backed out of holding the event, citing financial reasons.

Hanoi was awarded the Games in November 2012.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government  assuming power late last month, the IOA wrote to its members on Monday seeking their view on submitting a late bid before the July 1 deadline.

"...Government of India has already shown their keenness in supporting a bid from IOA to host the Games," IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta's letter to the IOA members read.

"We don't have the time to convene a General House meeting, so we've asked the members to write back with their views on a bid," Mehta told Reuters by telephone.

"Depending on the feedback, we would approach the government for a formal bid to host the Games," he added.

The Asian Games, which was held for the first time in 1951, typically features about 40 sports and is attended by athletes from 45 countries.

New Delhi hosted the first Asian Games and the ninth in 1982.

The Indian capital also hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games, but the event was plagued by construction delays and corruption scandals.

© Thomson Reuters 2014

[CrudeOil]

i think they will

[Spartan]

I wish we shud not host any international events like this until 2020.....