Women 100m Medal Ceremony Delayed: Fennell blames officials

CGF president Michael Fennell on Friday conceded that athletes were not treated well as the women’s 100m medal ceremony was delayed for hours on Thursday and blamed ‘‘a major communication blunder by athletics officials’’.

Australia’s Sally Pearson had completed her victory lap on Thursday and was set to collect her gold medal when she was told about her disqualification some three hours after crossing the line.

‘‘The athletes were waiting and didn’t know there was a protest. Treatment of the athletes is unsatisfactory and we are not happy with the way the protesting athletes were being handled. We have issued alerts that such incidents should not happen in future and such protests should be handled properly,’’ Fennell told media persons.

Fennell left fending off the blunders

Apart from admitting serious communication blunders following the controversial women’s 100m race, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief Mike Fennell had other problems to fend off as it emerged that the scoreboard at the Rugby Sevens venue had collapsed. “We should not jump to conclusions without proper understanding of facts,” he said. “We are trying to know how it happened but it has been fixed.”

On the last-minute scramble to get permission for helicopters to cover cycling road race and marathon events, Fennell blamed it on “inexperience” of the organizers and said there was no Plan B if the request was turned down.

“Many cities have restricted areas, what is normally done is you get a waiver for the event. I’m pretty confident it should be obtained later in the day as everyone understands its importance.”

Now New Zealand express security concerns during Games

Despite innumerable assurances by the sports minister as well as the Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth Games 2010, security continues to remain the primary concern for several participating countries. The latest country to voice their apprehension is New Zealand, where the Delhi Games 2010 Queen’s Baton relay visited earlier last week.

Sources say security concerns were on the agenda even as the local Indian and Kiwi community came out to welcome the Baton. Said an official who was part of the team which visited the country, ‘‘Security concerns were definitely the primary issue on the agenda. We had an in depth discussion with local officials as well as the sports and political brass about the security arrangements that India is making for the Games.’’ According to sources, the ‘‘discussion’’ was the focus at even the cultural events that were organized to welcome the Baton. Added the source, ‘‘Both officials and the local media had apprehensions about the security climate and how safe it was to bring athletes to India. We had to detail some of the plans to make them aware of the elaborate arrangements that India is making for the Games.’ The officials said that the local media was especially interested in the security plans.

Incidentally, the New Zealand Olympic Association had raised the issue once before in April this year, right after the bomb scare in Bangalore during the IPL. At that time, NZOA officials had said participation would be possible only after they were satisfied with the arrangements made for the CWG.

Till date, participating countries like Australia and the United Kingdom have risen concerns about security with even some sportspersons like Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice expressing apprehensions about arrangements. Sources say the security issue has been at the forefront in many countries on the Baton route despite the fact that the previous security liaison conference saw the Delhi plans get a thumbs-up. The Commonwealth Games Federation has also shown approval of the security plans of the government for the Games, though it has admitted that there was a need to keep a close look. The next security liaison conference is expected to take place late next month or early-July.

The security issue has been dodging the organizing committee (OC) since the bid for the Delhi Games was won in 2003. The OC as well as the government has often spoken about the arrangements, drawn up by the home ministry and the Delhi police. OC officials say the CGF’s international security consultant has already given approval to India’s security preparedness. ‘‘We have had a number of security briefings for the heads of missions of the Commonwealth countries. At each such forum, our security plans and arrangements have been welcomed,’’ added OC officials.

Finally Decided - Opening Ceremony to Start at 7 PM on October 3, 2010

The controversy over the starting time of opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games is finally over. In what is a setback for the Organizing Committee (OC) of the Games, the ceremony will now start in the evening after sunset.

The Group of Ministers (GOM) on Saturday decided to start the programme at 7 pm on October 3. TOI had reported last week that the Games’ Organizing Committee (OC) was keen on a 5.30 pm start owing to its broadcast deal, struck in 2008, with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. This had been out rightly rejected by the ‘creative group’ comprising Bharat Bala, Shyam Benegal, Prasoon Joshi and Javed Akhtar which is putting together the cultural programmes for the opening and closing ceremonies.

“The GOM had a long and productive meeting. The opening ceremony will begin at 7 pm. It was decided by all of us. There was a pretty comprehensive presentation on the opening as well as closing ceremony by the creative group in charge and we are satisfied with what we saw,” sports minister MS Gill told reporters after the meeting which was also attended by lieutenant governor Tejendra Khanna and chief minister Sheila Dikshit besides OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi.

This decision came a huge boost for the creative group which had earlier told the OC that it was too late to change the plans and begin the show at 5.30pm. The group was worried that any change in the original plan to have it at 7.30 pm would ruin the laser show and the special effects.

Gill did not reveal whether the march past by the athletes, which is part of the opening ceremony, would start before 7pm. But Benegal, a member of the creative group, revealed that opening ceremony would last two and half hours and include everything.

“The event will include everything, from protocol to other formal things in the (cultural) show,” said Benegal adding that the controversy surrounding the time has been put to rest. “”Why get into it now? There were some issues and they have been resolved. No point getting into those as there are no more problems.”

When asked whether five months would be enough time to prepare for the opening ceremony, another member of the group, Prasoon Joshi said: “India always works hard and surprises people. This time we all will do it.”

Kalmadi also said that the issues relating to the time of the event have been “sorted out.”

It has been, for the time being, but it remains to be seen whether OC’s deal with the ABC will be affected by this decision or not.

Haryana claim of reviving its lakes before Games hollow

A year after Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda promised revival of Badhkal and Surajkund lakes before the Commonwealth Games; it now seems that the two water bodies may not be ready to attract tourists during the sporting extravaganza.

So far, no measure has been initiated to fill the two lakes and no wonder the officials are praying to the rain gods. ‘‘We can bring some water to the two lakes but we have no idea of the lakes’ capacity. Obviously, the rain will bring some water,’’ said a senior irrigation department official.

On Tuesday, the government hinted at a long-term plan for permanent revival of the two water bodies. ‘‘The NCR Planning Board (NCRPB) officials said that they might approach consultants, who plan revival of parched lakes,’’ said chief secretary Urvashi Gulati.

She said Haryana government would like NCRPB to include the plan of reviving these two water bodies in its tourism plan for the NCR. ‘‘We talked of long-term solution. Blockage of rainwater catchments areas around these lakes and mining had resulted in drying up of the lakes. We are serious about the issue,’’ Gulati added. NCRPB member secretary Noor Mohammed also said that some international funding agencies also provide assistance for revival of water bodies.

Meanwhile, government officials also said that intra-city bus service in Gurgaon would commence soon on public private partnership mode and as many as 400 buses would ply in Gurgaon in the next two years and 600 in the next four years. Government also claimed that 250 CCTV cameras were being installed in Gurgaon and 140 in Faridabad to improve security in these cities.

Co-ordination panel comes down hard on 2010 delays

Days after Michael Fennell, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) head, gave a thumbs up to Delhi’s preparations for the event, the report of the co-ordination commission (CoCom) has not been as encouraging.

The CoCom, which conducted the review from December 14-16, has found plenty to complain about. Recommending close monitoring of the preparations by the CGF in almost all key areas, including venue delivery and operations, transport, security, technology and overlays, the report expressed concern over the delay in venue delivery, which would impact the test events. ‘‘Venue delivery and handover schedules have been recently pushed back from January to end of March, and for aquatics and ceremonies/athletics, to June. This had a detrimental impact on test events and any further delay will have a substantial impact on the Games operational delivery,’’ observed the report. The test events are scheduled to take off from January 13 with a hockey tournament at the national stadium.

Sources in the organizing committee (OC) admitted that during the CoCom review, the delay in the two major stadia - Jawaharlal Nehru and SP Mukherjee - had concerned the commission. Both are the primary competition venues for athletics and aquatics respectively. The report made its anxiety clear by stating: ‘‘Little or no concrete planning has been undertaken around readiness and limited planning is behind the test event programme...Initial test events are likely to be deferred due to late delivery of venues.’’ A senior OC official said, ‘‘The apprehension was that operational readiness, which will be tested during the test events at the major venues would have benefited the OC tremendously. But with test events getting delayed in both these cases, it’s too near the Games deadline.’’

The test events were scheduled to be held at JN stadium in March (weight-lifting) and April (lawn bowls), while the swimming competition was planned in April at SP Mukherjee complex. With delivery of both venues expected in June, both the test events are in jeopardy, sources said.

The report hasn’t spared the rest of the preparations either. While the Games Village got positive feedback with the report stating that it had the potential to be the best ever, the report found transport, technology and procurement areas to be functioning below par. The report said, ‘‘Traffic management presents substantial challenges, though mitigation plans are being developed.’’

Security got a thumbs up with the Delhi police’s planning being termed ‘‘well advanced’’.

New Action Plan for 2010 CWG Venues

Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell on Saturday reacted to the delay in delivery of venues for the 2010 Games. ‘‘While I note improvement in operational areas, the organizing committee (OC) and its partners must maintain the momentum that they have now gained across all functional areas,’’ he stressed.

Fennell then expressed ‘‘great disappointment’’ over the findings of the CGF coordination commission on the delayed delivery of the venues, and in particular, at how the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and the SP Mukherjee Swimming Complex were so far behind schedule.

‘‘We have continuously received assurances on the delivery timelines for these projects, and to now hear that there are further delays is distressing. These delays will have an impact upon the OC’s operational planning, particularly in relation to the conduct of test events and overlay installation,’’ Fennel added. ‘‘There can be no further delays,’’ he stressed, pointing out that he was pleased when sports minister M S Gill assured him on Saturday that the venues will not encounter any further delays.

Fennel next shifted gear to make statements that would be music to Kalmadi’s ears.’ With the backdrop of the coordination commission’s draft report and the positive progress made in operational planning, Mr Kalmadi and I have agreed today to an alternative approach to our ongoing interaction and monitoring work,’’ Fennel asserted.

‘‘In view of the current improved status, we have agreed it is now more appropriate for the CGF to provide additional on-going support to the OC through its existing Commonwealth Games Knowledge Management Programme,’’ Fennel added.

‘‘When I announced the formation of the committee just over two months ago, I noted that this group would monitor ‘progress against promise’. So now that will happen through our coordination commission and the ongoing work with OC of our CEO Micheal Hooper,’’ said Fennell.

Asked how there was this sudden sense of bonhomie between the CGF and the OC, Fennell was quick to say that the progress seen and the attitude towards the work at hand had definitely enhanced the confidence of the CGF in the OC and various stakeholders.

‘‘We can all have our different views but ultimately it’s job to work together to deliver the Games successfully,’’ he added.

A very nervous Suresh Kalmadi looked relieved at the announcement that the CGF won’t set up the Technical Review Committee. He admitted that the decision has brought a sigh of relief and harped on the fact how the CGF had witnessed improvement in the preparations.

ACTION PLAN
CGF decides against setting up of Technical Review Committee. Commonwealth Games Knowledge Management Programme to help

Assistance in three prime areas
Venue operations: Particularly the process associated with functional area integration at the time of Games
Volunteer programme: Particularly helping with the planning associated with training of 30, 0000 volunteers
Games readiness: Particularly successful demonstration of key capabilities and performance indicators

Suresh Kalmadi to resolve difference with CGF Officials

Organizers of the 2010 Commonwealth Games will try to resolve the rift with a top official of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Suresh Kalmadi, head of New Delhi 2010 organizing committee, would try to resolve the differences at a meeting with CGF officials during the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay in London.

Kalmadi had demanded that the CGF recall its chief executive Mike Hooper from New Delhi to London, claiming that he was "of no use" and had been an "impediment to functioning" of the organizing committee.

The CGF had rejected Kalmadi's demand and expressed support for Hooper, who had criticized New Delhi's slow pace of venue construction.

"We want to sort out matters through talks. We don't want any more confrontation," quoted Kalmadi before his departure for London.

The Queen's Baton Relay will start from Buckingham Palace in London on Thursday.

Preparations for the event are behind schedule and the CGF had said Delhi faces serious challenges in being ready to host the games.

CGF Announces Review Panel for 2010 Delhi CWG

Commonwealth Games Federation President, Michael Fennell, has announced the formation of an independent Technical Review Committee of international Games' experts to fast-track Delhi's preparations to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Fennell made the announcement following the meeting of all Commonwealth nations and territories at his organization’s General Assembly in Delhi.

I made it well known before arriving in Delhi this week that the CGF believes Delhi faces an enormous challenge in being ready to host the Games in October next year," Fennell said. "But while the CGF can express its concerns and offer its advice, it is the Organizing Committee, along with the Governments of India and Delhi, who have the responsibility of organizing the Delhi 2010 Games.

"The CGF remains aware that while initial changes have occurred with the appointment of some functional experts, progress will need to be constantly monitored, and at times, fast-tracked.

"With two years to go to the Delhi Games I said to the Organizing Committee that time was not their friend. With one year to go, I now say that time is your enemy, but together we can defeat it. To this end, the CGF Executive Board has decided to establish a high level independent Technical Review Panel that will meet each month and monitor progress against promise.

"This Technical Review Panel will report monthly - in an open and transparent fashion - to all stakeholders - the Prime Minister's Office, the Government of Delhi, to the Organizing Committee, the CGF, the CGAs and the media. The panel will consist of a Chairman and other experts, all with vast Games' experience.

"We will empower them to call in other technical experts as required, and to liaise and engage with CGA representatives to ensure relevant policies are put in place and implemented. The Panel will establish timelines for all areas, monitor progress against those timelines, and assist the OC to create policies and plans to deliver the Games.

"It will then report openly at the end of each meeting, presenting its findings to a media conference to ensure it is operating, and is seen to be operating, transparently.

"By having this review board report in this public forum, all involved - CGAs, athletes, coaches, administrators, commercial partners and media - can gain confidence that Delhi will be ready to welcome them in September next year.

"But the Review Board alone is not the answer. Our Coordination Commission will continue to visit, with its next visit in December, when the Organizing Committee has undertaken to address all key issues across all functional areas. The Organizing Committee knows of its own deficiencies and Mr Kalmadi is committed to achieving a great Game for India.

"I have no doubt that these Games can still be great. But now every day is pivotal and every hour vital."

Chief of federations to assess Delhi Games stadia in October

In a run-up to the Commonwealth Games, a six-day general assembly meeting of all the heads of Commonwealth Federations of participating countries will be held in October.

“The participants would also be visiting different venues and ongoing construction sites of stadia.

We have finalized preparations for the first phase of the look of the Games during October-December, 2009 when all the Heads of Commonwealth Federations of participating countries would be in the city,” an official release said.

A meeting was held in this regard which was chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. As approved in the first phase, strategic bus shelters would be developed, neon sites would be displayed and 100 bridge panels would be installed, the release added.

CGF OKs Delhi's preparations for Games

Commonwealth Games Federation (CWGF) chairman Mike Fennel Tuesday met Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and expressed satisfaction with the preparations of the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) that are scheduled to take place in the national capital.

Delhi is doing extremely well to make the ensuing Commonwealth Games a grand success, Fennel stated after a meeting with Dikshit at the Delhi Secretariat.

Fennel said he is satisfied with all the preparations and confident that all ongoing projects would be completed on time.

The main purpose of the meeting was to review ongoing preparations for the ensuing 2010 CWG. Indian Olympic Association President and Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi accompanied Fennel.

Fennel wanted to know about the training programmes for the volunteers, cultural events to be organized during CW Games and availability of accommodation for visitors. He stated that the city of Delhi would definitely be benefited with the CW Games and solid preparations are on in Delhi and added that he has seen a presentation on 'Look of the City during games' which is quite satisfactory.

The chief minister informed that banners and other games related publicity material would be displayed on various routes from the airport to different venues from January 2010 onwards.

Fennel stated that security is a matter of concern for all countries and informed that a General Assembly Meeting of participating Commonwealth countries is scheduled in October this year. Executive members of the CWGF would also participate in the meeting.

The participants would also be visiting different venues and ongoing construction sites of stadia.

The Commonwealth Games 2010 Baton Relay would arrive in Delhi September 29, 2010 which would be taken in various localities in the capital city before it reaches the opening venue of the 2010 CWG on October 3, 2010, said an official statement here.

He further stressed upon the need for coordinated efforts between various agencies.

The chief minister gave the status of Bed and Breakfast scheme for visitors which would supplement number of beds required during the Games.

It was also informed that a training centre for volunteers has been identified at Moti Bagh. This centre is centrally air-conditioned with 3000 sq meter floor area. A number of training modules have also been finalized. The volunteers would be deployed from the NSS, NCC, different Universities and Nehru Yuva Kendra, the statement added.

CWG Organizing Committee Hiring for The Extravaganza

In October 2010, over 8,000 athletes from 71 countries, participating in 24 sports disciplines will converge at Delhi which will host the biggest multi-sporting celebration in India’s history! Needless to say, this is going to be the event of a lifetime! The Games will act as a catalyst, and provide momentum to the chain reaction of positive change which is sweeping the nation today.

In order to deliver the Games, the Organizing Committee (OC) has been formed which will have a team of over a 1,000 professionals over the next two years, supported by over 20,000 volunteers at the time of the Games. The OC is looking for a dynamic team of capable people with the right experience and attitude to work in diverse fields, such as Games Services, Venue Operations, Sports, Technology, and many more…

YOU can be a part of this dream team… are you Game? It’s a race against time. We are looking for an exceptional team to help us cross the finish line and deliver the best Commonwealth Games ever.


Run with us … the world awaits!

Should you wish to apply for any of the positions listed below, we would be happy to receive a copy of your profile. Please include the name of the position to which you are applying in the subject line of the email. If you wish to apply for multiple positions, please list each position title in the subject line.

International Hires

For the positions listed below, please mail your CV to coo.office@cwgdelhi2010.org

1. ADG (Sports)
2. ADG (Venues)
3. ADG Games Services
4. DDG (Games Village)
5. Director (CGA Relations)
6. Director (Press Operations)
7. Director (Spectator Services)
8. Director (Traffic & Transport)
9. Director (Venue Technology)
10. Director (Games Village Operations)

Domestic Hires

For the positions listed below, please mail your CV to careers@cwgdelhi2010.org

1. Director-Legal
2. Director-Venue Operations
3. DDG-Workforce
4. Director-Workforce-Volunteers
5. APO-Planning
6. PO-Planning
7. Director-Legacy
8. PO-Doping
9. Director-Technology-Telecommunications
10. Director-Ticketing
11. Administrative Asst
12. APO-Administration
13. APO-Sponsorship Sales

More information can be collected from official website of 2010 CWG at:
http://www.cwgdelhi2010.org/home.aspx

CWG Federation satisfied with infrastructure in Delhi – Really

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi has said that the executive board of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) expressed satisfaction with the games infrastructure coming up in the city.

"As you are all aware the CGF was here for the whole of last week. We went through a lot of preparations for them and we have satisfied them and we took them around to show the entire infrastructure and they liked the games village the best. They said they have not seen a games village like this anywhere," said Kalmadi.

He also said that there were minor delays in construction of two venues but promised to have all infrastructures ready six months ahead of the event.

Preparations are in full swing in New Delhi for hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games at an estimated cost of 70 billion rupees.

Delhi had bagged the contract after beating the Canadian city Hamilton in the bid for the games.

The Games will be staged in India for the first time and in Asia for the second time. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, held the Commonwealth Games in 1998.

New Delhi hosted the inaugural Asian Games in 1951 and again in 1982.

Games chaos Created Panic among Broadcasters

NETWORK Ten and Foxtel representatives have dashed to New Delhi on an unscheduled visit this week amid fears that the 2010 Commonwealth Games hosts will fail to meet commitments to the official broadcasters.

The team leader for Channel Ten and Foxtel, Bob Kemp, told The Australian in New Delhi yesterday that the broadcasters "clearly have some issues with some areas and that's why we're here for discussions".

"We're taking the opportunity to meet various members from the organising committee across a whole range of issues from accommodation to technology, venue preparedness and security," Kemp said.

"We're a little more nervous about some things than we are about others."

Ten beat the Nine Network in a fierce bidding war last year for the exclusive broadcast rights to the Commonwealth Games, which it will share with pay-TV network Foxtel.

While Delhi organizers sought yesterday to placate the nervous rights holders, a picture is emerging of a shambolic organization that is way behind schedule on key construction and organizational deadlines. The event's main private developer is said to be in financial strife and the cash-strapped state of Delhi announced this week it would be forced to put all non-Games infrastructure projects on hold.

Accommodation for the anticipated flood of international visitors for the event is also under a cloud, the Delhi Development Authority conceding this week that only one-third of the promised new 6000 hotel rooms would be ready on time.

Plans to build six new hotels in the capital have reportedly been scrapped because of the current financial crisis.

Security remains a key issue in the wake of the November Mumbai bombings, which are understood to have forced a major review of previous arrangements.

The fate of the Games village is under a cloud after Dubai-based developer Emaar MGF was reported to have approached the DDA for a financial bailout.

A DDA official said this week that no decision had been made on whether to grant the request. The Government has already granted Emaar MGF a nine-month deferral on the repayment of a $15.8million loan from the State Bank of India.

The locations for the Games' main venues are also in doubt. Environmental cases are pending over the alleged illegal destruction of more than 1000 trees to build squash and basketball courts and the construction of the Games village on the Yamuna River floodplain, in contravention of an environmental assessment that found it would cause serious flooding and effect Delhi's already dwindling water supply.

The Supreme Court last Friday ordered a reassessment of the plans for the basketball and squash courts.

Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper said yesterday the federation was relying on guarantees from the organizing committee and all levels of government that environmental concerns had been addressed and the village would be delivered on time.

"We have to rely on the assurances we're given," Hooper said. "There's no alternative. We have openly said that time is no longer our friend.

There's no time for procrastination, we must take decisions and move forward, and I would like to think that all stakeholders have got that message."

Hooper dismissed reports suggesting that Melbourne was on standby to host the games should Delhi fail to meet its deadlines. But with Delhi's Games organizing committee due to deliver its next progress report in May, he said the federation would be looking for clear signs that it was on target.

Delhi's Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit admitted last week that she was not happy with the preparations for the 2010 Games, just 18 months from the event.

"Some of the projects have been delayed, which is worrying. But I hope things will be in place before the event as it's a question of the country's reputation," Dikshit said. She added that with so many stakeholders involved, there was great scope for chaos.

While India's central Government in its interim budget this week announced a funding boost for Commonwealth Games projects, Delhi's cash-strapped state Government has been forced to freeze all non-Games projects until after the event.

CommonWealth Games : A Historical Overview

The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport games event in which many nations , say CommonWealth Nations take part. It is held every four years,and the elite and well trained athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations try everything for the name and fame of their country. Around 4500 to 5000 atheletes take part in the event. The organisation responsible for the control and direction of the Commonwealth Games is known as The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)