Kalmadi denies officials partied in Sydney

Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi on Friday denied that officials present at the Sydney Olympics were on a 'pleasure trip' and asserted they were there to campaign for the forthcoming Afro-Asian Games and Asian Games.

Brushing aside allegations that the large contingent of Indian officials partied in Sydney while the performance of sportspersons was pathetic, Kalmadi said: "Our officials were there to campaign and enlist more teams for Afro-Asian Games, scheduled to be held at Delhi next year."

Kalmadi, who was in Hyderabad, to participate in a function, organised to felicitate Karanam Malleswari for winning bronze in the Sydney Olympics, said as India planned to bid for the 2006 Asian Games, it was necessary that the officials campaign and enlist support. Malaysia, Qatar and Hong Kong too are planning to bid for the Asian games, he said.

Speaking on the performance of the Indian contingent in the Olympics, Kalmadi said, "This need not be treated as national disappointment. Things are changing and for good.

"We have signed a MOU with the Confederation of Indian Industries for sponsorship keeping in view 2006 Asian Games and 2008 Olympics which would yield good results," he said.