Kalmadi can afford a smile, thanks to the invisible faces-04 October 2010

Kalmadi can afford a smile, thanks to the invisible faces

Saibal Bose

04 October 2010, 03:52 PM IST


The dust has finally settled and the Commonwealth Games are underway in a brilliant manner. It was surely one of the most spectacular opening ceremonies ever put up for a multi-sport event. Suresh Kalmadi would have had his heart in his mouth when the first drum started beating. Having faced so much criticism over the past few months, an uninspired opening ceremony might have meant curtains for him as a sports administrator.

But, Kalmadi lives on for another day and now, he can even talk about bidding for the Olympic Games. Sports minister MS Gill can start claiming that he ushered India into a new era in sport. Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit might be allowed a few solitary moments, to pat herself on the back. Let us leave behind broken bridges, filthy Village and missing stars for the time being. Let us soak in the success of the opening ceremony.


But, can we leave behind the stains of corruption charges? Perhaps not, but then that is for later.

Before the public faces of the Commonwealth Games begin staking claim to the success of the opening ceremony, they should spare a thought for the hundreds of school children who worked day in and day out to make this evening a special one. This glitzy show could not have been a success, had these children not got their steps almost to perfection.

Delhi had gone through a bad phase recently, with heavy rains and water-logging making commuting extremely difficult. Add to that the dengue scare. Yet, these children were perhaps there for practice whenever they were called, without ever complaining or showing reluctance. Such a show cannot be put up without hours and hours of practice and complete involvement. Hats off to these kids for having done such a good job.

Even the aerostat saved the face of the organising committee, which had invested crores of rupees into it. The entire show revolved around this colossal balloon and one glitch would have brought to nought all the effort and the money. It was one weapon that was meant to make the world say ‘wow’. It might have done its job.

Clearly, all the criticism had made the people handling it extra careful. They knew they could not have afforded to put a foot wrong. The world was watching and every mistake would have been magnified a million times.

If the Kalmadis, Dikshits and Gills can afford to smile now, it is because of the efforts put in by these folks. Before they start cornering the credit, the organising committee must thank them and also the invisible faces who made it possible. All’s well that begins well and the Usain Bolts, Asafa Powells may not be missed after all.

But then the next 10 days are equally important. The electronic scoreboards have to function smoothly; the false ceilings have to stay put; incidents of cobra-spotting at the Games Village cannot become a regular feature. Kalmadi can afford a peaceful night’s sleep only after October 14.