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Indian IT firms shut out from Commonwealth Youth Games deals
By siliconindia
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Wednesday, 06 August 2008, 16:59 IST
New Delhi: IT deals regarding the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG), which is being conducted this year in Pune, seem to be far away from the reach of Indian technology companies. No firm was seen participating in the games' tender process for IT products, services and solutions, reported The Economic Times.
What prevents Indian firms from bidding is one of the criteria to participate in the tender, which says that having an experience of providing IT solutions in at least one Olympic, Asian or Commonwealth Games in the last five years is required for eligibility. Since no Indian IT company has done it so far, the deals will remain out of their reach. Industry association Nasscom has expressed its concern over setting such a criterion, terming it 'restrictive'.
Apart from the above said criterion, the Commonwealth Youth Games? request for proposal (RFP) for IT products, systems and services describes two more criteria for eligibility- to make a tender, one must have an annual turnover of Rs 100 crore in each of the last three years, and the second requirement is the experience of providing IT solutions in a multi-sport mega-international event since the last 10 years.
A spokesperson for the software firm CMC, which was part of the contingent that bid for hosting the Commonwealth Games to demonstrate the technology expertise, said, "It was quite disappointing that the experience we have in conducting national sporting events was not considered in the RFP terms and conditions. We know what it takes to manage such games, both from the software side and from an understanding of the local conditions. It's surprising that our experience was not taken into account."
According to sources, Nasscom has written to Commonwealth Games organizing committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, saying the clause should be reconsidered.
"If Indian IT companies are not found good enough during the selection process, they should not be considered. However, they should not be ruled out at the eligibility criteria itself. Putting such a clause in the eligibility criteria also tends to restrict competition," said former Nasscom president Kiran Karnik.
The III Commonwealth Youth Games will be held for the first time in Asia in Pune from October 12-18, 2008. About 1,314 athletes from 71 nations will participate in the games.
