Fennell backs last ditch attempts to save Games

Agencies

New Delhi, 25 September 2010: Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Mike Fennell gave India’s last ditch attempts to save face a thumbs up on Saturday. But he maintained that there was a lot that still needed to be done. Fennell also blamed the Organising Committee indirectly for the delay.

 

Kalmadi who has been facing the flak for poor preparations for sometime, took the blame for the mess surrounding the Games but said he wished the venues were handed over early. Kalmadi says: "The work has been on for last seven years. I will take the blame but I wish I was handed over the venues earlier."

 

Kalmadi promised all remaining work will be finished withing three days. "There has been concern about several buildings and there is no question that the work left on some of the buildings is extensive," Fennell said, adding "considerable amount of work has been done. The dining room and the kitchen includes those destinations which are just first class."

 

 

However, there is some good news for India also as all 71 countries are going to participate in the event. Northern Ireland and Scotland will send their teams to Delhi. A 15-member delegation accompanied by two security officials arrived from Malaysia Friday night.

 

They will be visiting all the stadia to assess the situation. A total of 203 Malaysian athletes will be participating in the Games. Team Scotland have announced that the first group of Scottish athletes will fly out to the Commonwealth Games on Saturday.