OCA to choose between Delhi, Incheon on Apr 17 for Asiad 2014

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) New Delhi's bid to host the Asian Games after 32 years will be decided when Olympic Council Asia (OCA) votes on April 17 in Kuwait to choose between the India capital and Incheon, Korea to award the 2014 edition of the continental sporting extravaganza.

Addressing a press conference here today, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi exuded confidence that the 45-member council would vote in New Delhi's favour to pave the way for Games to return to its birth place.

New Delhi had hosted the inaugural 1951 Games before staging hugely successful 1982 Asiad.

''We have a very strong case to bring back the games here in 2014,'' Mr Kalmadi said.

''We're already hosting 2010 Commonwealth Games. World class infrastructure would be all there in place. New Delhi will be a global city by then. All that makes ours a very strong case for consideration,'' he said.

Delegations representing both the cities will give a presentation before the council votes to choose the host city. Delhi will make its presentation after Incheon.

Mr Kalmadi was aware of the efforts the Koreans were putting in place for Incheon and said that last-gasp canvassing would be decisive.

''We will present our case in the strongest possible manner. We are aware that Koreans are putting a lot to win the bid. They have spent close to 15 million dollars on it and have covered the continent thrice.'' ''However, we have certain points that go in our favour. They (South Korea) have already hosted Asian Games Busan in 2002 while we last hosted back in 1982,'' Mr Kalmadi said.

''I'm confident, not over confident that this will ours,'' he added.

MORE UNI