Hosting Commonwealth Games, a stepping-stone to host Olympics: Kalmadi

New Delhi, Mar 30(ANI): Organizing Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Tuesday said that the successful staging of the ensuing Commonwealth Games is crucial, as it would strengthen the prospects for India to host the Olympic Games in near future.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of a conference 'Tomorrow's North: Green and Educated' in the national capital, Kalmadi said: Commonwealth Games are very important for us. We are trying to promote Olympic sports. We are moving towards Olympics, there is no doubt about it."

He further said that the Organising Committee has to be careful with the arrangements, as apart from the sportspersons, top functionaries of various federations and allied bodies would be visiting India to have a look at the assorted arrangements related to such mega events.

The Commonwealth Games 2010 are scheduled to be held in the national capital, between October 3 and October 14.

The games will be the largest multi-sport event conducted to date in India, which had previously hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. It will also be the second time that the event will be held in Asia after 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The opening ceremony will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. (ANI)