New Delhi abandons bid to host 2019 Asian Games
New Delhi’s bid to step in and host the 2019 Asian Games has been abandoned after the Indian Olympic Association proved unable to meet the deadline imposed by the Olympic Council of Asia due to a lack of support from the Government.
The intention had been to use many of the facilities built for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. However, the bid already faced significant challenges, having missed the 1 July deadline for submission. The Olympic Council of Asia was searching for a new host following the withdrawal of Hanoi – who were awarded the games in 2012 – in April due to economic pressures.
After a request for a 15-day deadline was turned down by the continental federation, India was allocated a few of extra days in which to hold meetings with the Indian Government to confirm details of their bid. But after they proved unable to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the dropping of the bid was confirmed by IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta.
