CWG: Village gets thumbs up , Oz and New Zealand are in
New Delhi: This could be the day that provided the much-needed transition point for the Commonwealth Games. The high-voltage criticism over the under-preparedness for the Games is yielding to yes, we're-on-board announcements.
Australia and New Zealand have confirmed they're participating in the Games. 61 athletes from the UK have arrived in Delhi but will stay at a five star hotel for now.(Read: Australia, New Zealand on board for Games, Village)
Mike Fennell, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, has met with Cabinet Secretary KM Chandraskehar, who has been designated by the Prime Minister to supervise the Games.
Earlier today, Fennell visited the contentious Athletes Village. He allegedly discussed concerns raised by participating countries over sanitation and hygiene at the village with Chandrasekhar.
Fennell's meeting with Chandraksehar was also attended by Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Suresh Kalmadi and the Delhi Police Commissioner, YS Dadwal.
Kalmadi and his team received their first piece of good news in several weeks when Australia gave the Village its thumbs-up. After a visit this morning to the Village Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief Perry Crosswhite said he is happy with the Village and that their athletes are looking forward to the Games beginning October 3.
Another Australian, however, was less benign. Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates on Friday said India should never have been awarded the hosting rights of the Commonwealth Games given the shoddy preparations that have marred the build-up to the October 3 to 14 event. "In hindsight, no, they shouldn't have been awarded the Games," Coates said. He also said the Commonwealth Games Federation could have been more actively involved in the preparations. (Read: 'India shouldn't have been awarded the CWG')
The Congress said this evening that stereotyping is making matters worse. "I agree we should not have allowed anybody to point fingers at us. But one should also keep in mind that there are attempts to stereotypes and when the two collide, you have the kind of controversy that you have seen. Now we need to focus on the games, I don't want to add or substract anything," said party spokesperson Manish Tiwari.
International ratings agency Moody's made it clear that the CWG has done considerable damage to India. "Concerns regarding safety, security and site preparedness are tarnishing the country's global image. India's reputation as a tourist and investment destination could be damaged," said Moody's Analytics, a unit of global rating agency Moody's.
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CWG: Village gets thumbs up (sort of), Oz and New Zealand are in | NDTV.com
