India depending on support of Prime Minister to rescue 2019 Asian Games bid

By Nick Butler

A last ditch intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi could be the only way to salvage New Delhi's bid for the 2019 Asian Games after a request by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for a 15-day extension to submit their attempt was turned down by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

Following the withdrawal of the original host city - Vietnamese capital Hanoi - earlier this year, India is one of a number of countries to have expressed an interest in taking over the Games in an attempt which would make use of many existing facilities left over from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

But, due to the unresolved nature of discussions with the Government, which was only elected in May, to decide whether the bid should still go ahead, the IOA missed the submission deadline of last Tuesday (July 1).

A request for a 15-day extension was turned down by the continental governing body on the grounds there was not enough time to permit an extension, although they will be allowed an extra "couple of days" to submit their bid documents.

IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta confirmed a letter had been sent to the Prime Minister's office requesting an immediate meeting, adding to PTI that "now, it all depends on him whether we will bid or not".

A Games in India would take advantage of many of the existing facilities from the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images

Mehta claimed they would only consider asking the OCA for a further extension of several more days, if there is "some signal from the Government that it is willing to support the bid".

"I have done what I could have and it's late for us to submit the bid, and our fingers are crossed," he said.

"If the PM gives time to us in the next couple of days and gives the green signal, then the bid will be alive again."