India has set its sights on the 2019 Asian Games to be staged in New Delhi, a sporting spectacle it hopes will demonstrate the Narendra Modi-led NDA government's organising capabilities and restore the country's image spoiled by the scandal-ridden 2010 Commonwealth Games, according to report in the Hindustan Times.
Sources in IOA confirmed that there were plans to make a formal bid to host the Games in New Delhi, which has ready sports infrastructure built for the Commonwealth Games.
"We would be very happy if we can get to host the Games in 2019. At the moment we are waiting for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to present us with the proposal. So let us see if it can be submitted in time," Sarbananda Sonowal, Union sports and youth affairs minister told the leading newspaper.
Vietnam quit as host of the 2019 Games in April, citing a lack of preparedness and concerned that holding the multi-sport event would not prove financially viable. A final decision will be taken on September 20 during the next Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
New Delhi has held the Asian Games twice - the first edition in 1951 and the 9th edition in 1982.
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