Sports: Winter Games likely to be deferred

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Dehradun, July 5 : The first SAF Winter Games, scheduled to be held in Auli and Dehradun in Uttarakhand in February next year is likely to be postponed by one year, Games Federation president said today.

Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI) President SS Pangtey told reporters here that owing to late start of the preparation of venue, which is not likely to be ready by the scheduled date, WGFI has decided to forward a recommendation to Indian Olympics Association for the postponement of the event by one year.

Pangtey said the decision was taken in a Technical Committee meeting held today. He disclosed that the Uttarakhand government too has given its consent to host the Games provided it was held in 2009 instead of 2008.

He said that WGFI has fixed December 2008 as the deadline for the total completion of venue preparation.

Pangtey said the Central government has already allocated Rs. 50 crore for the hosting of the Games and the state government has provided Rs 10 crores in its budget for 2007-08.

''We now expect Uttarakhand government would work in a war footing to prepare the venue well in time,''he said.

The Ski slope at Auli is reportedly not upto the international standard and needs upgradation. Besides, the Skating Ring has to be constructed in Dehradun.

UNI