IOA confirms postponement of AAG

The Indian Olympic Association on Monday formally announced the postponement of the inaugural Afro-Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Delhi in November, due to 'security considerations'.

"We have received a letter from the government stating that the Cabinet Committee on security has recommended the postponement of the Games due to security considerations," IOA president Suresh Kalmadi informed in Delhi.

"The new dates for the Games, originally scheduled from November 3 to 11, will be announced after consulting the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa and the eight international federations concerned," Kalmadi said, immediately after a meeting of the high-level Empowered Committee of the Afro-Asian Games Organising Committee.

Earlier in the day, Sports Minister Uma Bharti made a similar announcement, saying the Games had to be postponed due to security concerns following the terrorist attacks on the United States last week and not due to any unpreparedness of the hosts.

IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh said the decision to postpone the Games is being conveyed to the Afro-Asian Games Council comprising representatives of the OCA and ANOCA.

Randhir Singh, who is also OCA secretary-general, got in touch with his African counterpart Tom Sithole to discuss the matter.

"Once we (in India) decide on a block of probable dates, ANOCA secretary-general Sithole and I will consult the eight international federations of the events figuring in AAG to finalise the dates," Randhir Singh said.

The Games are now likely to be held in late March or early April, he said.

"Whatever the dates, they must fall within the calendar of events of our discipline," Amateur Athletics Federation of India's secretary-general Lalit Bhanot said.

"Our national calendar is prepared on the basis of those prepared by the Asian and international athletics bodies," Bhanot added.

The Cabinet Committee on security had on Thursday recommended that AAG be postponed in view of the increased threat to the country's security and apprehensions that unscruplous elements might sneak into the country.

The Games were to feature competitions in eight disciplines - athletics, boxing, football, hockey (men and women), shooting, swimming, tennis and weightlifting.