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CWG mess: Fennel may seek Manmohan Singh's intervention | Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell arrived here on Thursday, and is likely to meet the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to press for his continual intervention to save the XIXth Commonwealth Games from
possible collapse. Fennel's request to meet Dr. Singh directly shows that the
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is unsatisfied with the progress related to
event so far. "He's asked for a meeting with the prime minister when he gets here
to go over things. I think his presence here will really re-emphasize how serious
the problem is with the cleanliness of the Games' village and the standard of
the accommodation," CGF chief executive Mike Hooper, was quoted, as saying. Fennell
had earlier expressed grave concern about the Games village in East Delhi, saying
the facility is "seriously compromised". "Many issues remain unresolved and I
wrote to the Indian Cabinet Secretary, expressing my great concern with the preparedness
of Athletes Village. The condition of residential zone has shocked a majority
of the CGAs that are in Delhi," Fennel said in a statement. "However, with the
Village to be officially opened on September 23, timely acceptable solutions to
prepare for the arrival of athletes are of paramount importance," he added. Fennel's
arrival comes in the backdrop of a spate of issues threatening the 2010 Games
due to start in just 10 days. Hooper had on Tuesday expressing disappointment
over the ill preparedness of the 2010 Games Village, terming it as 'filthy'. He
hoped the condition at the Village would improve in a couple of days. "Things
have started improving, but was not sufficient enough. We have met on a daily
basis, my colleagues around the village, and myself, on a number of occasions,
have met with the organizing committee," said Hooper. "We have emphasized the
importance of addressing the issue of the condition and the cleanliness of the
Games Village, which I will have to say, in many-many of hotels, am not going
to pull any punches, were ''filthy'' and so, uninhabitable as is being stated
by Fennel," he added. Moreover, team officials have expressed alarm at the lack
of readiness and poor hygiene in sections of the athletes' village. Further the
collapse of a foot overbridge outside the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the main venue
of the Games on Tuesday has reignited concerns about building safety standards.
Earlier on Wednesday, Guernsey and Jersey national teams indicated they could
possibly withdraw from the Games while England's Games chief said the Games were
hanging on a knife edge and the Scotland team delayed its departure to give more
time for their village accommodation to be made habitable. Australian Commonwealth
Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite reaffirmed Australia's commitment
to competing at the Games on Wednesday night. The Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade's smartraveller.gov.au website has been updated to note there have been
reports about construction "deficiencies" in some Games projects. "Australians
should be aware that building standards in India may not be comparable to those
in Australia," it reads. Moreover, Australian Sports Minister Mark Arbib has conceded
it is possible the Australian team could still pull out of the 2010 Games if the
situation in India deteriorates further. "Australian High Commissioner to India
Peter Varghese had met with the nation's cabinet secretary and heads of the Games
organising committee to discuss the building quality concerns which extend to
the athletes' village," said Arbib. "The Indian authorities are, my understanding
is, directing extra resources to ensure the village is completed as quickly as
possible. Australian medics are on their way to India to assess the Commonwealth
Games' hygiene standards as well," ABC Television quoted Arbib, as saying. Security
concerns surrounding the Games have also been heightened in the wake of the shooting
of two Taiwanese nationals traveling in a tourist bus outside the Jama Masjid
in the walled city area here on Sunday. The record monsoon rains, an outbreak
of dengue fever, allegations of corruption and late venue construction have all
added to suspicion by athletes, their families and Games officials from participating
countries. Australia discus world champion Dani Samuels is one of a number of
top athletes that has pulled out of the Games, citing concerns over health and
safety. Earlier on Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna personally visited
the Games Village to review preparedness. The 12-day sporting extravaganza, which
kicks off on October 3, is India's biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian
Games in New Delhi.
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