30 days to go for CWG, but Indians yet to get their cycles

With just 30 days to go for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, the cyclists of the Indian team are yet to get their all important equipment.

With just 30 days to go for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, the cyclists of the Indian team are yet to get their all important equipment.

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The decks have been cleared for the import of 40 high quality cycles which will be arriving here in 10 days - barely
few weeks before the Games, a senior functionary of the Cycling Federation of India said here today.

CFI President Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa told PTI that here that three years ago the Federation gave a list of equipment
required for the cycling event to the Sports Ministry.

"I have written letters to the Prime Minister and received the sigh of relief when I heard that the orders of 40
cycles were placed", said Dhindsa.

The CWG steering committee also approved the import of 88 high quality cycles a year ago, said Dhindsa.

The Ministry has released the funds to Sports Authority of India (SAI), the sole body on importing all the sports
equipment and materials.

Asked why the Federation did not import cycles on its own, Dhindsa explained, "We cannot do anything on our own. The
Sports Ministry and SAI only can import equipment."

The Indian Olympic Association has made it clear to the Ministry that it won't take the blame if cycles could not be
imported on time as it was given the responsibility at a short notice, sources said.

Dhindsa said no IOA official was willing to import the cycles without following the procedure laid down by Central
Vigilance Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General and the other watchdogs.

He, however, lamented the role of Ministry in the delay of import of cycles. "We have asked for 88 cycles and now only
40 will be imported."