In the second half of 2010, the world’s biggest sporting events are heading to Asia. The inaugural Youth Olympic Games, held in Singapore in August, has already been a remarkable success with nations now queuing up to host future versions of the event.
The other major events of this half year, the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou are being hosted in the booming economies of India and China. Yet the image of the two events are very different.
Beset by construction delays and allegations of corruption, India has struggled to get itself ready for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
By contrast, with its experience from the 2008 Olympic Games, 67 of the 70 practice and competitive venues for the Guangzhou Asian Games were handed over to organisers in August - even though the event doesn't take place until November. In addition, the 2010 Asian Games having raised $500 million in sponsorship is of major significance to sponsors, rights holders and industry support services globally.
Nigel Benton, Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management. http://www.ausleisure.com.au
