Officials satisfied with sports infrastructure

Hyderabad, Apr 8 (UNI) Top level delegations of International Military Sports Council (CISM) have expressed satisfaction with the infrastrucuture available here for the Fourth Military World Games beginning from October 14 next year.

The delegation, after visiting the nine venues last evening, met the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, today.

They discussed the upgradation of existing infrastructure to world class level, which includes creation of venues for Military Pentathlon, Parachuting and Shooting, besides accomodation for 6,500 officials and athletes, transportation and their security.

Later briefing newspersons, Brig Gen Gianni Gola, Guardia di Finanza, an inspecitve arm of the Italian Military Police Force and the President of CSIM since 1998, said, ''We are satisfied with the available infrastructure and arrangements at Hyderabad.'' A record 6,500 athletes and officials will participate in the games.

''The first Military World Games were conducted in Rome in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the World War II. There after these games have been conducted every four years, an year before the Olympics. In 1995 at Rome, 4017 athletes from 93 countries took part in 17 disciplines, while 6,734 athletes from 82 countries took part in 20 disciplines at Zagreb in 1999 and 3,406 athletes from 87 countries in 11 disciplines at Catania in 2003,'' he added.

''In the Fourth Military World Games of the 15 disciplines, two disciplines -- Sailing and Triathlon -- would be conducted at Goa, while military pentathlon, handball, wrestling, shooting, volleyball, swimming, hockey, parachuting, judo, kabaddi, football, track and field and boxing disciplines would be conducted here.

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