This Article is From Sep 16, 2009

Kalmadi fights controversy, says Delhi Games will be 'best ever'

New Delhi: Delhi will successfully host the Commonwealth Games scheduled for next year, said a confident CWG organising panel chief Suresh Kalmadi in a press conference.

"I would like to assure that Games would be organised very well. We will deliver the best game ever and I am confident about it," Kalmadi said.

He said the Government of India as well as the opposition has backed the Organising Committee. He also added that three annual audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General have no adverse comments on the Organising Committee.

Kalmadi said the preparations are going on at a good pace under the supervision of an experienced team.

"This team has organized several international games and they are working day and night. We have also hired international consultants to ensure there are no goof ups," said Kalmadi.

Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennel had shown his concern over the pace at which the preparations are on for the 2010 Games.

On this Kalmadi clarified that Fennel was satisfied with the progress.

"Fennel has said our work is on time. He has made some suggestions on his recent trip to Delhi," he said.

He also said that the AR Rehman show has been cancelled for austerity sake. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be there at Buckingham Palace. The cultural programme at Trafalgar Square has also been cancelled.

Jagdish Singh, vice-chairman of IOA said the criticism meted out to the Committee has been accepted well.

"There are problems that we have had but we are dealing with them."

" It's not just a one-off game. We are looking at other games, including Olympics," Singh said.

He, however, added that it was a wake up call for all to enhance image of Indian sports internationally.

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