New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said the ‘eyes of the world’ were on India for hosting the prestigious Commonwealth Games and described the sporting event as an occasion to celebrate ‘sporting excellence and spirit of kinship’.
‘The eyes of the world are on the country as we conduct this prestigious event. The Commonwealth Games is an occasion not only to celebrate sporting excellence but also the spirit of kinship and camaraderie among the Commonwealth fraternity,’ said the prime minister after conducting a high-level review meeting on the preparations to hold the mega sporting event in the national capital Oct 3-14.
‘India will have an opportunity to present its culture, its achievements, its warm hospitality and its organisational capabilities to the world,’ he added.
He also emphasized that it was ‘very important that as a country, the people work together to give our honoured guests a warm welcome and a memorable experience of all that our nation has to offer.
‘Our athletes and sportsmen are training hard and need the full support and encouragement of their fellow Indians,’ the prime minister said after his meeting with union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy, Sports Minister M.S. Gill, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit besides other senior officials.
The meeting was called to discuss ways of damage control over the controversies surrounding the Commonwealth Games preparations.
The prime minister also urged all concerned to work single-mindedly so that the Games could be held in a manner the nation could be justifiably proud of.
