The Delhi Commonwealth Games organizing committee has asked the Commonwealth Games Federation to lift its 15-discipline cap so that it can include money-spinning disciplines like cricket in the 2010 Games, to be held in New Delhi.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi on Friday, Commonwealth Games Federation chairman Michael Fennell said the 2010 organizing committee's request is being considered but it would have to make a presentation to the General Assembly of the CGF on March 9, 2006 in Melbourne and convince the committee about the same.
He said the disciplines requested for inclusion are cricket, billiards and snooker, tennis, archery and judo.
Asked if it is true that negotiations between the CGF and International Cricket Council are jammed because of the issue of level of the participating teams, he replied: "No. This is not true. Kindly do not give credence to rumours. Cricket is a genuine Commonwealth game and we would like it to be included in the Games.
"Our experience in Kuala Lumpur, where cricket was included in the Games, was a fantastic one and former cricketers, who are now coaches, wondered why it was not included in the Commonwealth Games during their times when they were playing cricket," he said.
Cricket made its only appearance at the Kuala Lumpur Games in 1998 and many countries, including India, were unable field their strongest possible sides because other tournaments clashed with the dates. South Africa won the gold medal, beating Australia in the final.
According to him, negotiations are on between the Board of Control of Cricket in India and ICC and the two have to reach an agreement before it comes for approval before the Commonwealth Games Federation.
"It is still early to say whether cricket should make it to the Commonwealth Games or not. The ICC has a problem how to fit in a major event in their already tight schedule," he pointed out.
But if cricket is included, he said, the CGF and ICC would be winners, "as it has tremendous following the world over".
The Games feature 15 disciplines, namely aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, net ball, rugby 7s, shooting, squash, table tennis, triathlon, weightlifting, of which athletics, lawn bowls, rugby sevens, swimming and netball are mandatory.
In 2003, Delhi was chosen to stage the 2010 Games. India will be only the second Asian country to stage the Games after Malaysia, in 1998. Only twice have the Games been held outside Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Britain. Jamaica hosted them in 1966.
Australia looking into Al Qaeda threat
Replying to a question, Fennell said Al Qaeda's threat to the 2006 Games in Melbourne has already being taken up seriously with the Australian authorities.
" I had raised the matter with the Australian government and the minister of the concerned state, and we have been assured that adequate precautionary measures are being taken to meet the terrorist threat.
"We are living in a crazy society but we cannot wish away the threat nor can we get ourselves locked and do nothing because of the threat. It is not just the Melbourne Games that are under threat but Games the world over.
"I would request the media not to over-play the money spent on securing the lives of those who come to participate as well as those who come to watch them," he said, in a response to this correspondent's query whether he would like to share information on the nature of the threat held out by the international terrorist organization and money being spent to counter insurgency.
The two-day meeting of the executive board of the Commonwealth Games Federation discussed Melbourne's preparations for the 2006 event, Delhi's progress for the 2010 Games and the bid process for the 2014 Games venue.
Fennell praised the Delhi government for its determination to hold the Games in 2010.
"Though Delhi has lot of stadia, they are forty years old and need to be renovated to international standards. I am told that Delhi would have a new-look airport, better roads, eleven new flyovers and metro train system in place for the Games and smooth flow of traffic during the Commonwealth Games in Delhi five years from now," he added.
During the closing ceremony of the Melbourne Games, Delhi would be given 10 minutes to make presentation briefly outlining what to expect when it hosts the Games in 2010.
