New Delhi, Sep 16 (Inditop.com) The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) Wednesday put up a united front to allay fears that the 2010 Games are in jeopardy and said all concerns would be taken care of effectively.
CGOC chairman Suresh Kalmadi said the points raised by Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell would serve as a “wake up call for us”.
Fennel Sunday raised an alarm by shooting off a missive to Kalmadi expressing doubts over the technical conduct of the Games and sought an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the CGF General Assembly meeting next month.
Addressing his first full-fledged media conference at the new headquarters of the organising committee here Wednesday, Kalmadi categorically stated that things are pacing up to meet the deadline, from infrastructure to technical conduct of the Games. Other CGOC big-wigs Randhir Singh, Lalit Bhanot, V.K. Verma and A.K. Mattoo chimed agreement.
“We will be happy to clear Fennell’s doubts when he comes here in October. It will serve as a wake-up call for us. There were no adverse comments on the Organising Committee. He was there only for a day during the executive board meeting. When he comes during the CGF General Assembly, we will address all his concerns,” he said.
“Mr. Fennell is an able administrator. He had said many times before that he was satisfied with the pace of the work. If he has issues, we will take care of it.
“We have got the backing of the government. We all are working as a team. There is great co-ordination between the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the government of India and the opposition.”
CGOC vice-chairman Randhir Singh refuted allegations that there were differences within their ranks.
“We are not working as individuals but as a team to ensure a successful CWG,” said Randhir.
Randhir, who was quoted as saying in the media that there is a lack decentralization of work among the sub-committees, said that these issues have already been discussed in CGOC.
“The issues I raised have already been discussed in the OC.
“We have to present our sporting excellence to the outside world well if we are looking to host the Asian and Olympic Games. Only a successful Games can take us forward,” he added.
Kalmadi said the CGOC has increased the pace of the work.
“All of us are working at a great pace. We also have experienced technical people who have expertise of hosting Afro-Asian Games, Badminton World Championships and seven National Games.
“We have also hired foreign consultants on the advice of the CGF so that we do not slip up. I think we have 30-40 of them. We have people here with technical knowhow to deliver. So all of us are working together to stage one of the most successful Games,” Kalmadi said.
Kalmadi, a Congress member of Parliament, also said a musical show by Oscar-winning music director A.R. Rahman scheduled Oct 3 and a cultural programme at London’s Trafalgar Square after the Queens Baton Relay handing over ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London Oct 29 have been cancelled as part of austerity measures.
“The Queen’s Baton Relay will start from the Buckingham Palace in the presence of India’s President Pratibha Patil. We have decided to cut down costs on all frills,” Kalmadi said.
Bhanot, the secretary general of CGOC, said the venues will be ready on time.
“Let me tell you that 80 per cent of the work at all the venues will be completed before December 31st, except cycling and rugby venues where work started a bit late. But those two will also also be completed in time for the competition.”
rounak