New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS) The 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi can be an “outstanding success if the organisers stick to key criteria”, said a former chief executive of the Sydney Olympic Games here Thursday.
Sandy Hollway, speaking at a workshop on Sports Management and Planning for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, said: “With only 165 weeks left for the opening ceremony, I feel the organising committee understands the ten key criteria for achieving the success.”
Hollway, who is also a board member of the Australia India Council, pointed out the “ten keys to success”.
“The first thing for the organising committee would be excellent project management and the second is taking care of the athletes and proper facilities at the Games village. The third key is world class field of play,” he said.
“The fourth important point is outstanding venue design, that takes care of all the facilities needed for athletes and the fifth is a good customer service philosophy that takes care of the needs of all the stake holders.
“Excellent support to the media and the broadcasters is sixth and organising the ceremonies that will have the wow factor is the seventh key to success.
“Taking care of the cultural extravaganza is the eighth key. People will come to India not only to enjoy sports but also the culture,” he said.
Hollway also said that achieving a legacy for the people of India, who will make the game and achieving a sporting success are the ninth and the tenth keys.
“The legacy will be achieved in infrastructure, revenue and economic development. And the last thing — history proves that the games will succeed when the local team succeeds,” he said.
Hollway said that it would be an interactive process where “India will learn from Australia and the other way round”.
“Success in sports can only be achieved if there is a total integrated system to support the sport. Here in India you have to create a link between the elite sports and the community sports. Elite sports will create heroes and community sports will produce the bunch of talents,” he concluded.
The workshop was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and was also attended by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi and other experts from Australia.