Postpone Afro-Asian Games, says Govt.

The much-postponed Afro-Asian Games has run into fresh trouble again, with the government asking the Indian Olympic Association to defer its staging.

It's been very clear for some time that neither the infrastructure nor the organisational set-up is in place to hold the Games' first edition in New Delhi in November this year.

Till a few days ago, Sports Minister Uma Bharti was quite optimistic that the Games, which hopes to bring cream of sporting talent from Africa and Asia in one arena, would be held in November. But a terse official press statement on Tuesday evening said: "Keeping in view the current status for holding of the 1st Afro-Asian Games in New Delhi in November, 2001, Government has decided that it would be appropriate to defer the Games."

The statement added: "Accordingly, the Indian Olympic Association has been advised to suggest new dates for the Games."