By IANS
New Delhi : India should involve youth to organise a successful 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympics Games (LOCOG) Sebastian Coe said here Monday.
“The biggest problem in hosting such events is not project management but to include youth in the project. Engaging youth is a very tough thing to do and the key to success for India in hosting a successful Commonwealth Games will very much depend on it,” said Coe.
“We have to use traditional media and make them accessible to the young people. We also need to add an educational value to the projects,” he added.
Coe was speaking on the sidelines of a conference organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which brought together the organisers of the 2012 London Olympics and 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
“I think we have to recognise India and England have entered a new era. Both of our cities have magnificent opportunities as drivers for change,” said Coe, whose mother was born in India.
The Englishman, who won two gold medals in athletics at the 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, said that awarding the Commonwealth Games to New Delhi was a positive sign.
“Sporting events are not just a celebration for 15-16 days. These sporting events have unique transformation powers as a driver for social, economical and physical regeneration.
“Cities in developing part of the world clearly have the power to host these events for transformation. Moscow, Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur made significant changes after hosting such events,” he added.
Coe went on to add that such sporting events create lots of opportunities like jobs, investments and infrastructure development in the host cities.
“But the greater challenge will be to leave a lasting legacy. The legacy should be sustainable even after 50 years of hosting of the game,” he said.