Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia feels the country would have been better off without hosting the Commonwealth Games given the organisational chaos that has marred the build-up to the October 3 to 14 event in Delhi.
The much-delayed and perhaps the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever have now been hit by allegations of wide-scale corruption and Bhutia said India never had the infrastructure to host such a mega-show.
"We should not have taken a decision to host the Games. The infrastructure is not ready. Look at the situation, the grounds are not ready. Even in hockey, there are not many Astroturfs in India. Even a nation like Malaysia is better-placed to host the Games. We should not have bid for the Games," he told reporters here.
Bhutia was part of the Queen's Baton Relay for the Games and asked why he didn't express his views at that time, the veteran striker said, "Since the nation has taken the decision to host the Games, I wanted it to be successful."
He hoped that the Games organisers would ensure a cultural rather then a Bollywood bonanza in the opening and closing ceremonies of the October 3 to 14 event.
"Hopefully the opening and closing ceremony would not turn out to be a Film fare awards ceremony. I want it to showcase our culture," he said.
Meanwhile, the build-up might be in disarray after allegations of corruption but New Zealand's Olympic Committee believes the Delhi Commonwealth Games would be a success.
Amid reports of irregular financial transactions, the Delhi Games organisers are facing a credibility crisis with just two months to go for the event.
But despite the furore in India, the New Zealand Olympic Committee is confident that the Games will be held successfully come October.
NZOC secretary general Barry Maister says they won't get swayed by the negative reports.
"(We) still have high hopes Delhi will be a unique and positive experience," he was quoted as saying by the New Zealand Herald.
