Open any newspaper, one will read invariably on the front page the papers screaming with headlines “ Kalmadi shames India†I hear from every quarters in every channels, every newspapers, anyone who is someone except persons who belong to the ruling party asking for Kalmadi’s head. They say he refuses to budge, refuses to resign etc. I wondered why he should be so adamant and why he wants to stick to the post of Chairman of CWG even after failing to give to this nation which it is legitimately entitled to say with pride “ we are proud Indians and we are No. 2 emerging great power†. His name has almost become mud due to the repeated criticisms and attacks by various news media. They have every reason to say so. But since Kalmadi is from the undivided District of Dakshina Kannada, I thought I should see what was in his mind when he says “ he brought this child of Commonwealth Games to India. He always calls it as “his child!!†Children are always innocent and it all depends on how you bring them up. The child’s character and upbringing is reflected in it’s parents attitudes. Here we have a child which has been spouiled by kalmadi, yet he is not prepared to hand it over to another because†it is his childâ€..Hence I went through previous statements made by him. When I was browsing through various newspapers I could lay my fingers on one news item which I should say one can safely visualize his long term plans to stick to that position and hog all the limelight. Or else any one could not have been so thick skinned as he presents himself to be . I am taking the following from Tribune published from Chandigarh dated August 12, 2005 Please read carefully and draw your own conclusions. Mr Kalmadi said
Mr. Kalmadi said around 8,000 participants from 71 countries would participate in the 2010 games.He said India has also bid for the 2014 Asian Games and would be bidding for the 2016 Olympic Games as well, as a follow-up of the successful Common- wealth Games bid.
Mr Kalmadi said India was almost sure of winning the 2014 Asian Games bid as the other contender, Busan in South Korea, had organised the Asiad in 2002, and therefore stood little chance of getting the votes of the Olympic Council of Asia.
Mr Kalmadi said the operational budget of the games had been pegged at Rs 802.23 crore while the expected revenue would be Rs 909.60 crore, which would include sponsorship fees, host broadcasting rights, merchandising/licensing and ticketing. The estimates have been computed by the Sports Marketing and Management firm, which is handling the marketing of the Melbourne Games.
Mr Kalmadi said the Organising Committee would seek Rs 200 crore every year for the next five years from the Central Government for the preparation of the Indian sportspersons for the 2010 Games as the aim was to bring India among the 10 best sports nations in the world
As stated above, it is for my readers to know why he is sticking on to that post in spite of the virulent attacks against him. He wants to stick to it like leach for another 10 years. I think I have used the right word “leachâ€