All across New Delhi, brightly-coloured posters plead 'Come out and play', but on Monday this teeming city opted to stay home instead as a wave of indifference greeted the Commonwealth Games.
The opening day witnessed matches played out at eerily empty venues, a worrying sight for besieged organisers hoping that Sunday's widely-applauded opening ceremony had finally laid to rest the problem-plagued build-up.
"Australia 76 Spectators 58" reported The Sydney Morning Herald after the opening match of the netball competition at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex which can hold 4,500 people.
"Australia's netballers scored more goals than there were spectators watching them, getting their Commonwealth Games off to the perfect start with a comfortable 37-goal win over Samoa on Monday," the newspaper said.
"In front of a crowd which would have fitted in a bus - just 58 legitimate spectators - the Diamonds scored more than a goal per fan in a 76-39 cruise past Samoa."
Despite the withering cynicism, fans and officials were convinced the situation will improve as the 11-day event progresses.
Manoj Harjani, 47, a garment factory manager from Delhi, took his two teenage daughters to watch the men's gymnastics team event at the 14,400-seater Indira Ghandi Complex.
The majority of the few spectators which were present tended to be accredited volunteers or team-mates.
"The crowd is very small, but this is just the first day. We bought tickets for 150 rupees ($3.48) each on the Internet without any problems. It is easy and cheap," Harjani said.
"Delhi people are more interested in hockey - especially India against Pakistan - and also wrestling and tennis perhaps. Of course, Indians really love cricket more than anything.
"In truth the gymnastics standard is lower than I thought. This is far below any Olympic competition.
"I think Indians will come to more events as the Games progress.
"Perhaps people have been put off by all the bad stories, but things are fine here.
"We also have tickets for the rugby and netball and are really looking forward to them."
Things were just as bleak at the 3,500-capacity Siri Fort Sports Complex, where the first round of the squash tournament was taking place.
"Today is the first round and we expect that not only will squash enthusiasts from India be coming along in greater numbers as the competition intensifies, but I would expect overseas viewers, family and friends and just general spectators to come to the venue, as they have done at previous Games," said Andrew Shelley, the international technical delegate.
"One very positive factor is that the tickets are very affordable so that - as well as the chances of Indian players doing well - it should encourage (Indian) nationals to come here."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/05/3029489.htm?section=justin
