Thursday, December 24, 2009

CoCom still unsure of timely completion of games venues

The capital’s preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games has picked up pace over the last two months but the October 3-14 multi-discipline event still risks failure, according to the CGF Coordination Commission (CoCom).

Chaired by Commonwealth Games Federation Treasurer Austin Sealy, the CoCom visited the capital from December 14 to December 16 and made public its report on Delhi’s preparation.

‘While substantial progress has been demonstrated by OC (Organizing Committee) and its delivery partners since last CoCom meeting, it is clear that successful delivery of the Games remains at risk in many key areas,’’ the panel said in its conclusion.

Making it clear that things should have been put in place by now, the report said: ‘‘Many of these risks are atypical of an OC at this stage of preparation and they require the OC executive and the government to initiate immediate and ongoing remedial work with expert assistance in some areas.’’

The CoCom welcomed the late alacrity on the OC’s part but insisted the organizers have a difficult task at hand. ‘‘The overall standard of presentations and dialogue demonstrates that the OC and its delivery partners are starting to ‘turn the corner’ and are addressing the myriad of issues they face. However, compared with any recent major event of a similar scale, including recent Commonwealth Games, most focus areas reviewed by the CoCom present a high level of risk to successful Games operations,’’ it said.

Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday assured the Organizing Committee (OC) of the 2010 Commonwealth Games of smooth passage for the Queen’s Baton Relay that is currently in Africa.

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