ITDC to host Afro-Asian Games participants

The state-owned Indian Tourism Development Corporation has been appointed as the nodal agency to arrange accommodation, hospitality and transportation for at least 3,500 sportspersons and accompanying officials for the first Afro-Asian Games, to be held in Delhi from November 3 to 11.

A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed by Afro-Asian Games Organising Committee secretary-general Randhir Singh and ITDC chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani.

"We will do our utmost to ensure that the stay of the sportspersons and officials is very comfortable. We will also try to live up to the nation's much- proclaimed dictum "atithi devo bhava (a guest is no less than God)," Tourism and Culture minister N Ananth Kumar said.

Sports Minister Uma Bharti said hospitality would be one of the major factors which would contribute to the overall success of the inaugural Games.

"Successful hosting of the Games is a matter of national prestige. And hospitality will, undoubtedly, be one of the major factors which will determine the success of the Games. Hospitality always leaves an everlasting impression so it is on the top of our priority list," Bharti said.

While ITDC will provide 800 rooms to accommodate at least 1,500 guests, the rest will be accommodated in private hotels.

"As the nodal agency, the ITDC will shortlist the hotels and finalise deals and payments on their behalf," Kumar said.

Ashoka Tours and Travels will act as the main transport agency and coordinate with others as required.