Kalmadi Assures that CWG Venues will be ready by Dec

After the Commonwealth Games Federation had expressed its anguish over the delay of work on Games infrastructure three months ago, Kalmadi admitted that the delay was caused primarily due to the escalating price of construction materials..

Suresh Kalmadi, the chief of New Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010 moved to combat the criticism caused by the delay in construction of the Commonwealth Games venues and cost overruns, by promising to complete all projects by the December 2009.

While speaking to the media, Kalmadi said, “I’m confident that all New Delhi venues will be ready by the end of December.” He further added, “I assure you venues will be ready. They’ll be then put through test events and all problems sorted out six months before the Commonwealth Games are to take place.”

The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi from between October 3-14, 2010. While speaking, Kalmadi was found very exciting. “These games will showcase India to the world,” he added. His enthusiasm was so high that he promised to overtake 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth.

After the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had expressed its anguish over the delay of work on Games infrastructure three months ago, Kalmadi admitted that the delay was caused primarily due to the escalating price of construction materials like steel and cement. But he also assured that the condition was successfully handled.

Kalmadi is also the president of the Indian Olympic Association. After Kuala Lumpur organised the Commonwealth Games in 1998, New Delhi is the second Asian city to host the Games. It would be the second major sports event in India after the 1982 Asian Games.

Mohinder Singh Gill, the Sports Minister of India also confirmed that the construction work would be closely monitored to meet the proposed deadline. He said, “While there is a lot to be done, I’m sure we’ll be ready in time. We’ll be ready, just like an Indian marriage where things look chaotic but eventually things happen smoothly.”

Kalmadi said the Queen’s Baton relay would start from London in the first week of November and travel to 71 Commonwealth nations and territories before arriving in New Delhi. He also declared that Queen Elizabeth II would present the baton to an Indian athlete at Buckingham Place, from where the relay would go to all Commonwealth countries and territories. The baton would visit every state in India too.