Athletes Demanding Security Assurance – CGF President Fennell

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell has revealed athletes are demanding assurances over safety concerns ahead of the event in New Delhi next year. Security is expected to dominate the build-up to the 2010 Games, with England’s badminton team recently refusing to travel to Hyderabad in India due to safety fears.

After returning from the World Athletics Championships, Fennell said: “I have just come from Berlin. What pleased me was the fact that so many people wanted to know about Delhi and wanted to go there. Athletes are excited about coming but they wanted assurances that everything will be tip top. That is what we have to do as leaders. I’m in a position to tell them the work is being done in a very serious manner. Everything humanly possible is being done to guarantee security of people who come to Delhi for the Games.”

Also fresh in the mind is the 2008 New Delhi bombings and, in a sporting context, Sri Lanka’s cricket team being attacked in neighboring Pakistan. Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the 2010 Organizing Committee, was vague on the details of the level of security athletes and spectators will have, but insisted: “It (security) is the single most important thing in India. We have paid attention right from the beginning, from the start of construction we have had security guards at all venues and all venue owners have made sure nothing has been planted in the buildings.”

Kalmadi wants to use the Games to enhance India’s chances of landing the 2020 Olympic Games and does not believe the withdrawal of the England badminton team is necessarily negative.

“The badminton championships went off very well and all the countries were there apart from England,” he added. Kalmadi also expects 100 meters world record holder Usain Bolt to compete.

“He has said he wants to try to break the next record in Delhi,” Kalmadi said.

The Queen’s Baton Relay will be launched from Buckingham Palace in October and is scheduled to pass through the Wagah border of Pakistan and India. Kalmadi said: “Pakistan was very helpful for us getting the Commonwealth Games. In the sporting world the ties are very good. I’m sure in Pakistan it will be well received.”

Meanwhile, India’s Sports Minister Manohar Singh Gill has insisted that every effort is being made to ensure construction work at competition venues for the Commonwealth Games will be completed in time for next year’s event. Gill was accompanied by representatives of the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee, Central Public Works Department, Sports Authority of India and New Delhi Municipal Corporation on a visit to venues on Monday.

Last week, a leaked government report indicated that more than half of the planned competition venue construction projects are running significantly behind schedule.

According to The Times of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General has stated that at least 13 of the 19 venues are between 25 per cent and 50 per cent behind schedule, with the aquatics centre development causing particular concern. However, Gill said in a statement: “Every human effort is being put in to deliver the sporting facilities well before the time.” Gill added that he is “happy with the work of the engineers and all the workers” at the main 2010 Games stadium in Delhi.