Euphoria lacking ahead of 4th World Military Games in Hyderabad

The stage for the Fourth World Military Games to be held in the twin city of Hyderabad- Secunderabad from October 14 to 21 seems to be all set, but the mega event may not attract many spectators, due to lack of publicity and general awareness about the games here.

By Vikram Vishal

Hyderabad, July 8 : The stage for the Fourth World Military Games to be held in the twin city of Hyderabad- Secunderabad from October 14 to 21 seems to be all set, but the mega event may not attract many spectators, due to lack of publicity and general awareness about the games here.

With even less than 100 days to go for the games, which is being termed as the second biggest sporting event after the Olympic games, there is not a single promotional hoarding visible in the city.

Organisers have done well to make the event, which is being hosted outside Europe for the first time, a successful one. But they seem to be lagging behind as far as promotion is concerned in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, due to their reported "no hoarding policy".

The organisers of the event had recently launched marathon championship in the national capital, Delhi, and had also held other such promotional campaigns in different parts of the country to evoke awareness about the games.

However, it seems to have not generated enough enthusiasm, as it should be visible before the beginning of an international event.

The officer-in-charge (Publicity and Media) Colonel Sanjay Khanna also appeared a little off guard on this front, and said that the media should also help in promoting the event.

"Yes there are no promotional hoardings near the sports village as yet. But the media should also come forward to promote it and make people aware of this event," he said, when asked as to why no such advertisement is visible around the venues and in and around the twin city.

Besides publicity, the organisers have been able to score points over the facilities and infrastructure front as the venues that would host various disciplines of the games are already in place.

The athletics stadium at the Gachibowli Complex with 27000 seating capacity will be hosting the opening and the closing ceremonies of the games.

A total of 13 disciplines will be held here, with hockey and kabaddi being scrapped due to "lack of participation". However, these two sports will be organised only for demonstration.

Polo will be held as an exhibition discipline.

Out of 127 members of the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) or International Military Sports Council, 78 countries have confirmed their participation and around 5100 sportsmen are going to participate in this year's games.

ANI