KUWAIT CITY: The name of the 2014 Asian Games host city was barely out of the envelope when losing city New Delhi was grumbling about winning destination, Incheon.
The Times of India reported that several Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials said some smaller countries ditched India after assuring them of their support.
They also alleged, on condition of anonymity, that money could have also played a decisive part in the final vote.
New Delhi lost 19-26 to South Korea’s Incheon city in a secret ballot to choose the host the 17th Asian Games.
The Indian capital’s pollution and traffic congestion is thought to have played a part in the evaluation committee’s decision to diminish New Delhi’s bid.
India got its way in other decisions taken at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) summit. Cricket will be included as a new sport in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou
“Cricket will be played in 2010, but bodybuilding will be cut from the schedule,” OCA chief Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah told AFP.
The Guangzhou games will feature 42 sports compared to 39 at the last Asia Games in Doha in December.
The Olympic Games hosts just 28 events, with sports such as kabaddi, sepaktakraw, chess and wushu unique to the Asian Games.
