While the
concept of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is celebrated
for the 'potential' there appears to be another commonality among BRICS -
diverting resources for ugly sporting spectacles ignoring peoples’ demands for
badly needed public goods and provide massive opportunities for corruption and
build white elephants. This is seen from the sporting 'spectacles' being held
in these countries in the last few years. Here's the snapshot - Brazil - World
Cup 2012; Russia - Sochi Winter Olympics; India - Commonwealth Games 2012;
China - Beijing Olympics 2008 and South Africa - World Cup 2010.
A summary of
the expected expenditure and actual expenditures on the games is tabulated
below:
|
Country
|
Estimated Costs
|
|
Brazil - World Cup 2014
|
$11.3
billion (estimate)
|
|
Russia - Winter Olympics 2014
|
|
|
India – Commonwealth Games
2010
|
$4 billion (original estimate - $270 million)
|
|
China – Beijing Olympics
2008
|
|
|
South Africa – World Cup
2010
|
The events
in the run-up to the Sochi Winter Olympics saw allegations of corruption,
especially, from the coterie from President
Putin’s inner circle.
Among the many
reasons for the downfall of the government in India, the 2010 Commonwealth
Games set the tone for the series of scams that beset the government. The
ruling party’s Member of Parliament and Organising Committee chief Suresh
Kalmadi was arrested on the basis of prima facie involvement in awarding
contracts. (Not so surprisingly, the case has not attained closure with the
investigating agencies managing to file charges only recently, in December
2013, and waiting for the trial to happen). In this instance the initial costs ballooned
to over 15 times from $270 million to almost $4 billion.
A comprehensive report brought out by an NGO
- Housing and Land Rights Network reveals the systematic escalation of
costs; diversion of money from other public expenditure; dislocation of people
in the name of slum clearance; and of course, building white elephants.
These events
contribute to dislocation/relocation of people and a concomitant securitization
of the situation. This bogey is used to suppress any local opposition. It is
estimated that a 100,000 - strong
security force of armed police, commandos and other troops is stationed around Beijing;
over 150,000 in Brazil; over
100,000 in Russia; and over 100,000
in New Delhi and 41,000
in South Africa.
These events
give rise to these problems, as there are no proper policies in countries
aspiring to host international events; no local consultation and involvement,
especially of people from cities projected as hosts; and, a false emphasis on ‘national’
pride to host these ‘international’ events.
[1] For a sceptical view, see here - http://goo.gl/y7JXWH.
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