New Delhi:
At a time when the Commonwealth Games are mired in one controversy after another, here's one reason to feel proud.
The training grounds at Jamia University are not only complete but have been constructed at lower than what was budgeted.
How has the university managed to pull this off at a time when the might of the Organising Committee and the Sports Ministry has failed to deliver?
The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee gave Jamia University Rs 40 crore and 22 months to build a rugby training ground, and an indoor table-tennis court for training purposes.
Well within that cost and time Jamia University has also built, a lawn tennis court, a basket ball court, even a jogging track.
All of them at par with international standards.
''We made a quick assessment that we can do it, and save money. They gave us Rs 40 crore and we finished it in Rs 38 crore,'' said Najeeb Jung, Vice Chancellor, Jamia Milia Islamia.
Ironically finishing work early has not got the university any praise.
On the contrary the Organising Committee is yet to take charge of the venues which have been ready for the last two months.
This has posed additional burden on the University as it has to shell out money for its security.
"The inauguration was done by Mr. Gill on the August 3. And since then we have been ready for the takeover. But I think that they have been busy with sundry works,'' said Najeeb Jung, Vice Chancellor, Jamia Milia Islamia.
At a time when most venues are under the scanner for cost overruns and missed deadlines the Jamia training ground is an exception.
And while investigators seek answers of just what went wrong at the other venues, it may be well worth the while to find out how Jamia got it right.