New Delhi, Jul 18: Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today called for an increased participation by the private sector in the funding of 2010 Commonwealth Games, saying a substantial role from the corporates was necessary to help Delhi match the standards of Manchester and Melbourne Games.

"The total budget of the Games has been earmarked at Rs 7,000 crore and the private sector needed to foot a large part of this bill for the event to be successful," Aiyar said.

He said that at present, private expenditure towards the 2010 Games was estimated at around Rs 3,000 crore but the government would like the share to go higher.

The minister was addressing a conference here today on the preparation for the quadrennial event.

Comparing the figures related to the 2002 Manchester Games, Aiyar cast a warning saying one should not expect too high an amount in the form of income from the mega event.

"We have to keep in mind that Manchester showed an income of 56 million pounds and we should not be raising our expectations too high in this regard.

"Out of a total expenditure of USD 130 million for Manchester, the British government provided only USD 37 million.

Keeping that ratio in mind, the government should not be spending more than Rs 2,000 crore towards preparation for the 2010 Games," he said.

"To be at a level comparable to the Manchester Games, we need to raise an amount that is six-seven times their expenditure in current rupee terms and the private sector has to be an equal partner in this regard," Aiyar said.

He divided the income accruing from the Games under the heads of TV rights, sponsorship, ticket-ing, licencing, concession and accommodation.

"Sponsorship can fetch Rs 1,000 crore at the most as one is not sure how much money can be generated under this head," Aiyar said.

Comment