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Australian Foreign Minister appreciates Commonwealth Games preparations | Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith on Wednesday expressed his satisfaction with the preparations, including security set up for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to be staged in New Delhi. After visiting the various sports
facilities here, Smith said that he was confident that India would stage a 'first
class' Commonwealth Games on time. He dismissed media reports, which said that
games preparations are lagging behind vis-à-vis various aspects. " I have seen
some commentaries, which say, we worry about the facility being behind the schedule.
These comments are always made in the run up to any Commonwealth Games or Olympic
Games. The same was said in Melbourne in the run up to Commonwealth Games. The
same was said in the run up to Sydney Olympic Games. So, these things are always
said and in the end, you always find facilities are always ready for Commonwealth
Games or the Olympic Games," said Smith. About security arrangements for the mega
sporting event to be held next year in October, Smith said that Australia is confident
with the kind of measures India is taking to tackle and thwart any possible militant
strike. " We have also been briefed on security arrangements. We are being closely
consulted as other Commonwealth countries are. We are confident that India is
taking all the necessary precautions and arrangements," he added. Earlier, some
of the officials of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had expressed concern
over New Delhi's preparedness to hold the Games next year. Mike Fennell, President
of the CGF had written to Games organisers expressing concern at their reluctance
to hire foreign experts and the tardy progress of work. He also sought an urgent
meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to help 'revive' the games preparations.
While touring the various sports facilities being readied for the Commonwealth
Games, Smith announced that three hockey scholarships to budding players-- one
each for woman and male hockey players and a hockey coach are being offered by
Australia. |
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