By IANS
New Delhi : Defence attaches of 30 countries have been briefed on the arrangements being made by the Indian armed forces to conduct the Military World Games (MWG) at Hyderabad and Mumbai Oct 14-21.
“The attaches were told that preparations for the MWG were going on in full swing and India is fully prepared to host the Games in a befitting manner,” defence ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar, who is also chairman of the MWG media and publicity committee, told reporters Saturday.
More than 5,000 sportspersons and officials from 102 countries are expected for the Games. The MWG is the biggest sporting extravaganza after the Olympic Games and the biggest ever to be held in India.
“The attaches of participating countries from Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa were thoroughly briefed about all the aspects about the conduct of the games like arrival formalities, reception of their contingents, location of stay, movement in the city and the security arrangements,” Kar added.
Among those who attended the briefing were defence attaches from the US, Brazil, Greece, the Czech Republic and Saudi Arabia. Senior members of the MWG organising committee briefed them.
“The defence attaches were impressed with the meticulous planning of the organising committee and reposed full faith in the abilities of the Indian armed forces to host the Games,” Kar stated.
Several countries have intimated that their defence ministers, chiefs of armed forces and top defence officials would be visiting Hyderabad during the Games.
“The armed forces are gearing up to host these dignitaries in a befitting manner,” Kar said, adding that a high-level protocol committee has been created to look after the complex task of handling so many dignitaries.
Defence ministers of Italy, Burundi, Latvia and Slovakia have confirmed they would be attending the MWG while confirmation from a few others is expected.
“This is for the first time that defence ministers of so many countries are arriving at the same time to attend a single event in India. The defence ministry is going to utilise the opportunity to build bonds between the armed forces of India and these countries,” Kar noted.