C'Wealth Games organising committee faces massive shortfall in revenue target

Amid negative publicity for the Commonwealth Games, the organising committee is facing a massive shortfall in meeting its revenue target.

Till date, only Rs335 crore has come to the OC's kitty as against the target of Rs1,620 crore from various sources, including sponsorship, ticket sale, merchandise and broadcast rights.

While the OC has received Rs137 crore as sponsorship money, it has got Rs185 crore for TV rights so far.

Even ticket sale has come down after the bad publicity surrounding the Games. The total sale of tickets as on September 20 was only of Rs10.66 crore.

The collection from the sale of merchandise is so far Rs80 lakh only.

However, despite the problems, the OC is hoping to realise its overall target, including Rs390 crore as sponsorship money.

"There are total 10 sponsors and partners of the CWG who have committed to give Rs390 crore as sponsorship money," said an official adding, "We are hopeful that they will fulfil their commitment."

While Railways, the lead partner of the CWG, are yet to dole out Rs100 crore as sponsorship money, other sponsors have also delayed their contributions.

All sponsorship money will not be in cash as some will be in kind also, clarified the official.

For example, Railways are running a special Commonwealth Games train across the country and another special train will be running to Agra for Games visitors during the sporting event as part of the sponsorship deal.

Coca Cola, Reebok, Hero Honda, Amity University among others are sponsors of the Games.

Besides Railways, other PSUs who have committed sponsorship money are Air India (Rs35 crore), Central Bank of India (Rs50 crore) and NTPC (Rs50 crore).