India doubts value of a Grand Prix

25/08/2009
NEWS STORY

In what will surely be an embarrassing move for those keen to see Formula One racing head to India, the Indian Sports Ministry has cast doubt on the true value of the sport.

The Times of India reports that the Indian Sports Ministry has rejected a claim from JPSK Sports, a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates and the company charged with building the 5.5km circuit in Greater Noida, fifty miles from Delhi, for a $36.5 remit in favour of Formula One Administration.

"It would have no impact on the development of sports in the country." A Sports Ministry spokesperson told the newspaper. "F1 is not purely sports. It is entertainment and this venture by JPSK is a commercial initiative.

"The proposed F1 race does not satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavour for excelling in competition with others, keeping in view the whole sports movement from Olympics downwards," added the spokesperson.

However, Samir Gaur, MD and CEO of JPSK Sports, insists that his company remains fully committed to the project.

"Yes, we went to the ministry seeking government concessions," he said. "If need be, we will go again. We're 200 percent committed to the F1 race in India."

The Indian Grand Prix has seen a number of false starts. In 2007, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Bernie Ecclestone announced a provisional agreement for India to host its first Grand Prix in 2009. However, later that year the IOA announced that the country's debut race would take place in 2010. After further assessments, Ecclestone announced in September 2008 that the Indian Grand Prix had been delayed to 2011.

To further complicate matters, both the Motorsports Association of India and the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India have expressed doubts about the possibility of F1 in India, with Rajat Mazumbar, President of the FMCI also claiming that: "The only authorised body that can run motorsports in the country is ours". This is in spite of the fact that all talks relating to the proposed event have taken place between Ecclestone and the Indian Olympic Association.

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Published: 25/08/2009
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