Daily Sports

The beleaguered Organising Committee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday promised to sort out each and every concern raised by CGF President Michael Fennell and vowed to deliver the best Games ever. Organising Committee (OC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi described Fennell's stinging criticism of the capital's lethargic preparation for the event as a "wake up call" and said the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief would not have a problem when he returns next month for the CGF General Assembly in the city.

"Fennell's observation was a wake up call for us. We have this CGF General Assembly in October and by then, everything would be sorted out," Kalmadi told reporters today. The OC found itself in a spot of bother after Fennell's harsh letter to its Executive Board, warning that the Games was heading for "partial failure" and asked for a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Kalmadi did not think Fennell's seeking a meeting with the Prime Minister is effectively showing his lack of trust in the OC's capabilities.

"I don't think so. We have no problem with his meeting with the Prime Minister. Come October and everything would be fine by then. Fennell seeking a meeting with the Prime Minister is not an issue with us," he said.

Security and lack of foreign technical expertise are two major areas pointed out by Fennell but Kalmadi insisted that there was nothing to worry about.

"Fennell or no Fennell, we are conscious of our duty about security of the games. An Australian agency comes every two months to assess security and the Home Ministry is also looking at it. I can assure that there will be a foolproof security system during the Games.

Regarding foreign expertise, we already have more than 30 consultants from abroad. Our National Sports Federations have hosted many international events. So, we sourced the technical people from the federations. In case of sports like rugby seven, we have got technical experts from abroad," Kalmadi said.

He and OC vice chairman Randhir Singh insisted that infrastructure would be ready well in time so that trial events could be held before the main Games. OC secretary Lalit Bhanot said 80 per cent of the venues would be ready by December 31 this year, while others would be completed before the trial events.

Kalmadi said the OC has decided to "cut down the frills" and some events in the run up to the Games would be cancelled. "We have cancelled the AR Rehman show to be held next month at the India Gate to mark the 'one year to go event' as well as the cultural programme at the Trafalgar Square after the Queens Baton Relay handing over ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London on October 29. We are also going to travel by economy class," he said.