Bedi denies report in Australian newspaper

Bishen Singh Bedi is furious, and he has a reason to be so. The Courier-Mail, an Australian daily, has quoted him making an impassionate plea to athletes the world over to boycott the Commonwealth Games.

Bishen Singh Bedi is furious, and he has a reason to be so. The Courier-Mail, an Australian daily, has quoted him making an impassionate plea to athletes the world over to boycott the Commonwealth Games.

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“That’s all rubbish. Who am I to ask the athletes not to come and participate? I never made these comments and it’s being attributed to me to create some sensation,” said Bedi.

The daily has also quoted him as saying, “I honestly believe they (organizers) would be better transferring them (the Games) to somewhere like Canada or Australia even at this late date.”

While Bedi was in denial mode, he made no secret of his disgust and disappointment over the lack of preparedness. “The way we are going ahead is disgusting. Given the corruption and our lack of preparedness, I will be surprised if we actually manage to hold the Games,” he said.

The Games, according to him, had already lost sheen with many top athletes deciding not to participate in favour training for other events in the future.

“I am not suggesting to anyone to skip the Games, but the athletes can find out for themselves the level of our preparedness and then make their decision. With these top sportsmen missing, the Games are already diluted,” he said.