Delhi Games delays cause 'serious concern'

Delays in handing over several venues to the organisers of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi are causing "serious concern."

The JLN Athletics Stadium, Talkatora Swimming Complex, velodrome and Games Village have still not been completed with five months remaining.

In addition, equipment suppliers report declining to respond to recent requests for venue fit-out equipment as the manufacturing and delivery lead-in times sought by the Delhi Organising Committee for the Commonwealth Games.

A recent statement from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) co-ordination commission read "there remains much to be done to ensure a cohesive games delivery from the opening of the Games Village on 16th September."

The commission, which recently spent four days in Delhi assessing the city's readiness for the competition, added that much progress had been made since a damning report in December, which said numerous deadlines had been missed.

However, the commission listed 38 issues which were still "critical", an improvement on the 70 named in December.

Safety and security remains a major concern following a bomb blast at an Indian Premier League cricket match in Bangalore in April which injured 14 people.

The commission added "the CGF continues to work closely with the organising committee, Delhi Police and the governments of India and Delhi to monitor all Games security arrangements and has assigned specialist consultants to work on its behalf as is its standard practice for all Games.

"All parties, including the CGF, are committed to the conduct of safe and friendly Games which will be enjoyed by all."

The Commonwealth Games, which will attract athletes from 71 nations, will be the biggest sporting event, with the exception of cricket, India has hosted since the Asian Games in 1982.

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