Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.India's government believes hosting a Formula One race will have no impact on the development of sport in the country, local media reported today.
India is scheduled to host its first F1 grand prix in 2011, but the sports ministry has described it as "entertainment" and said it failed to meet certain sporting criteria.
The sports ministry's comments came in a letter in January in which it rejected a request by race promoters JPSK Sports to remit $36.5m in foreign currency to the British-based Formula One Administration, Times of India reported.
"It (the race) would have no impact on the development of sports in the country," ministry officials told the paper.
"F1 is not purely sports. It is entertainment and this venture by JPSK is a commercial initiative," an unnamed ministry official said.
"The proposed F1 race does not satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavour for excelling in competition with others, keeping in view the whole sports movement from Olympics downwards."
The company's managing director, Samir Gaur, told the newspaper it was fully committed to the project despite the ministry's stand.
"Yes, we went to the ministry seeking government concessions. If need be, we will go again," he said. "We're 200 percent committed to the F1 race in India."
Gaur told Reuters in April that JPSK Sport, floated by a diversified group controlled by his family with market capitalisation of over $2 billion, would get the track ready in time despite the global economic meltdown.
Cricket-mad India has warmed up to Formula One with support zooming since Narain Karthikeyan became the first Indian driver in the series in 2005.
While there is no Indian driver currently in Formula One, liquor and airline billionaire Vijay Mallya owns the Force India team.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments