SAI tussles with India's cycling contingent

NEW DELHI: India’s cycling contingent for the Commonwealth Games and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) squabbled after SAI asked athletes to sign bonds making them accountable for loss or damage to imported cycles.
"On Saturday, two hours before leaving for Chandigarh, we were asked to sign a bond about which we were not told earlier when we were handed over the cycles.
"We were told that signing the bond will make us accountable in case of damage to the equipment. We thought that signing such a bond would have huge financial implications, since these were very costly cycles," said sources in the cycling team, adding: "So we decided that we would not take the cycles. But after assurances that these cycles are fully insured and we will have to bear no financial burden, we finally decided to sign them"
The 46 cycles were procured from UK at a price of Rs 1.13 crore after a three-year delay. Foreign coach Graham Seers said the bond was merely to ensure that the cycles would be returned to SAI.
"I didn’t have a look at the bond. I saw them signing the bond on Saturday afternoon. I think it’s only a way to ensure that the bikes come back to SAI. I don’t think it has anything to do with damage or crash," Seers said.
Indian coach Chayan Chowdhury said that the cyclists had an impression that signing would entail financial obligation in case of damage. "When you take something from the government, you have to sign a document. That’s why they had to sign the bond. There was no issue, it’s being blown up. The government is doing a lot and it’s embarrassing when such things come out.
"The cyclists thought that if they sign, they have to pay money. But when they were told the cycles are fully insured, they decided to go ahead and accept the equipment," he said.
Seers’ thumbs-up to village
Australian Seers, meanwhile, seemed impressed after arriving at the Games Village on Monday. "The Village is excellent. The security is fantastic. People were very helpful. Everything has gone smoothly till now. We were lucky that when we arrived, not many people were coming in," Seers said.