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On the other hand, speculations are rife that Wizcraft, a leading event management company, could emerge as the winner for the contracts. Wizcraft was also associated with the 30 minute cultural event portraying India as the next host, during the Melbourne Commonwealth Games closing ceremony involving a huge cost.

All the governing bodies involved including Group of Ministers, the Union Ministry of Sports Affairs, the Sports Authority of India, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Delhi government, the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and IOA are believed to be lobbying hard for their preferred company. However, there is no official confirmation that any company has been selected for the contract. 

Earlier, an ‘expression of interest’ was issued on September 12, 2008 by the Organising Committee, for hiring an event management firm for the opening and closing ceremonies. Although, no decision have been made in this regard so far. The dead for the bid was October 3.

According to reports, an intense turf war between rival event management companies is on to bag the CWG contract. Sources say, these companies are roping in influential Bollywood personalities to clinch the contract. Many people familiar with the development expressed that this hysterical tussle may drag the commonwealth Games into controversy.

The upcoming mega event involves many governing and autonomous bodies such as several Union ministries, Delhi government departments, and the city’s civic bodies which may result in conflict of role to be played by these entities. Firms are still on the tenterhooks over the roles of various departments, in particular the opening and closing ceremonies.

Recently the Cabinet has set up a Co-ordination Committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to superintend the development regarding the organizing of the games including opening and closing ceremonies.

As so far Delhi govt’s participation in the organising is concerned Ms Shiela Dikshit had gone on record saying, ‘The opening and closing ceremonies of the games in New Delhi next year have to reflect the entire nation, not the IOA alone.’ She also made it clear that the state govt will have a significant weight in the game saying, ‘as Delhi is hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games, we are going to have enormous say in every activity related to this major event’.   

In the meanwhile Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Ambika Soni, also claimed stake saying that her ministry has ‘vast knowledge in this field’. Apparently, the Tourism Ministry has launched global print, television, and Internet campaign to help ‘Incredible India’ with a view to establish itself as the pioneer in this field.

On the other hand, the Delhi govt took a step further as Ms Dikshit said that eminent Bollywood producers and other cultural personalities, in India and abroad, with experience of presenting cultural events, have been approached. The govt has asked them whether they would to showcase their talent at the Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies.

Hitting out at IOA, Ms Dikshit had said, ‘we are not creative people, neither is any ministry or the IOA…the IOA or anyone else can suggest any particular name and they are welcome, if they fit the requirements’.  She added, ‘it has to be a collective effort - no single person or organisation can force its choice’.

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