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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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