Indian govt says no to GP funding

(GMM) The Indian government turned down a request by constructors of a formula one circuit in Delhi for $36.5m in payments to the sport's officials.

We reported earlier that the boss of the promoters JPSK, who in November 2007 signed a contract with Formula One Management, met with the Indian sports ministry and "if need be, we will go again".

The Times of India newspaper now reports that the ministry has dismissed F1 as "entertainment" rather than sport that is worthy of the funding.

"It (F1) would have no impact on the development of sports in the country," a government official is quoted as saying.

"The proposed F1 race does not satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavor for excelling in competition with others, keeping in view the whole sports movement from Olympics downwards," the official added.