New Delhi: India today (November 14) rubbished claims by Canada that New Delhi played a money game to beat Hamilton in the race for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

India, starting as favourites to take the event when the Commonwealth Games Federation met last night in Montego Bay, Jamaica, got a decisive edge when it came up with a last-minute offer of $ 7.2 million - $ 100,000 for each of the Olympic Committees of the 72 member countries – to train athletes.

"Canada can allege anything since they lost the race. There was no money game involved in it. The fund was for development of athletes and to make them well-equipped in their preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games," Minister of State for Sports Vijay Goel told reporters.

"I don't think it is bribe," Goel said when his attention was drawn to the statement made by Hamilton's 80- member delegation president Jagoda Pike that "we are not going to play the game that India has played", complaining about the "money that came on the table".

Speaking on the amount to be spent for the 2010 Games, Goel said, "Approximately Rs 295 crore has been estimated for the event. But we are hoping to get back Rs 400 crore from it through sponsorship and other means."

He however said that the details of expenses and revenue generation will be chalked out later.

Goel said the Games will also help in developing an "Olympics culture" in the country and would help India to be in a position to stage the world's biggest sporting extravaganza in future.

PTI