Brumby calls on Kalmadi, reviews preparations for C'wealth GamesIndia News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Premier of Victoria John Brumby called on Suresh Kalmadi, the Chairman of Organising Committee of Commonwealth Games 2010 here on Saturday. Brumby during his visit met the organising committee officials and reviewed the progress of various stadiums and infrastructure projects coming up for the Commonwealth Games. Brumby also shared his experience of holding such sports events. It may be noted that Melbourne, Victoria hosted the 2006 Commonwealth Games and it was the largest sporting event to be staged in the city after the 1956 Summer Olympics in terms of the number of teams competing, athletes competing, and events held. Brumby on this occasion on Saturday also wrote a note on the partnership between Melbourne and New Delhi. "A magnificent building. There is a great partnership between Melbourne and New Delhi and we look forward to a fantastic Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010," Brumby wrote in the guest book. Preparations are on 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. Earlier, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, held the Commonwealth Games in 1998. Earlier, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell has requested an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the slow pace of work ahead of next year's New Delhi games. But Union Sports Minister Manohar Singh Gill has expressed confidence that the venues would be ready after visiting the stadiums. The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be India's first major international sports event after the 1982 Asian Games. New Delhi hosted the inaugural Asian Games in 1951 and again in 1982.