The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Coordination Commission, making their final visit to the Indian capital before the Games open on October 3, expressed concern at how late some of the key venues are set to be delivered.

These include the stadiums for athletics and swimming, the two main sports, and the Village which is due to host more than 4,000 competitors.

Austin Sealy, the chairman of the Coordination Commission, said: "The main concern is the delay in the delivery of major sports venues, particularly JLN (Jawaharlal Nehru) Stadium, Talkatora Swimming Complex as well as Games Village, which will be opened on September 16.

"These delays have a knock-on effect and hamper the Organising Committee's planning and implementation for final preparations."

But, at least, Sealy was optimistic that the Delhi organisers would get everything ready in time having drmatically picked up the pace of construction since their last visit at the end of last year.

He said: "We are confident that the test events at these venues will be held in time.

"There has been rapid progress since our last visit in December but lots of work still remain to be done.

"We urge the Organising Committee for an increased acceleration in all areas which pose a substantial time and delivery challenge for the Games.

"What we have attempted was to ensure that the organising committee does not lose sight of the slippages whatever the reasons may be.

"But we are satisfied that they have the capacity to deliver.

"We are confident that they would complete every aspect of the Games in time.

"In December 2009, 70 critical issues were identified by the Coordination Commission and as on May 5, 2010, this has been reduced to 38."

Sealy said that the Coodination Commission was satisfied with the security arrangements by the Indian Government and he claimed that international teams need not fear for their safety despite several countries, including Britain, Australia and New Zealand, having last weekend issued warnings that a terrorist attack in Delhi was "imminent".

He said: "Security is always a challenge.

"We cannot lose sight of it till the end of the Games.

"The CoCom is satisfied with the security arrangements by Government of India and police authorities.

"The CGF continues to work closely with the Organing Committee, Delhi Police and the Governments of India and Delhi to monitor all Games security arrangements.

"My message to all the countries is that the security arrangements are upto the mark and they need not fear.

"All the necessary security arrangements have been made and the Indian authorities have not left any stone unturned in this regard."

Mike Hooper, the chief executive of the CGF, said that any more delays in construction between now and the end of June would be unacceptable.

He said: "We have never made secret of our unhappiness at the delay in completion of venues.

"But now SAI (Sports Authority of India) and the Government said the two venues and the Games Village will be completed in time.

"The JLN Stadium will be completed by June 30.

"We hope there should not be any more slippages."

Suresh Kalmadi, the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the chairman of the Delhi Organisiong Committee, said: "We are thankful to the CoCom for their advice in all aspects of the Games.

"What they said has meant a lot to us."

Kalmadi is confident, though, that the biggest event to be held in India since the 1982 Asian Games will be a massive success.

He said: "We are on course to deliver the best Games ever."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2010: Delhi has made a lot of progress for Commonwealth Games Kalmadi claims
April 2010: Largest indoor stadium in India opened in time for Commonwealth Games
April 2010: Commonwealth Games adding slums to slums in New Delhi
April 2010: Commonwealth Games in Delhi will be wonderful predicts Hooper
March 2010: Games chief worried Delhi still not ready with 200 days to go