10 Feb 2011

Com Games disputes continue

6:51 am on 10 February 2011

The payment dispute over last year's Delhi Commonwealth Games rumbles on with a foreign company rejecting claims of non-performance by organisers and demanding their fee is paid immediately.

Organisers of last year's controversy-ridden Commonwealth Games said earlier this month partial payment to nine foreign companies have been withheld for "non-performance" without elaborating.

One of the companies, Event Knowledge Services (EKS), has dismissed the allegations.

The October Games were widely criticised by media and fans for the poor state of facilities and accommodation, particularly in the days leading up to its opening.

The 9 billion dollar Games, intended to be a statement of India's growing financial might, ended up being a national embarrassment, salvaged only after a last minute scramble by the government.

Memories of chaotic organising were revived last month when Eden Gardens in Kolkata was stripped of the England v India cricket World Cup match scheduled at India's best known venue following a delay in construction work.