Commonwealth Games 2010 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750
The Australian journalists and cricketers have contrasting views on the security arrangements that are in place for Commonwealth and cricket stars that are in India to take part in two major events that are taking place in the country simultaneously.
An Australian journalist present at the Games media centre gave the thumbs up to the arrangements at the venue claiming that the negative reports emanating from the country are generally false and hyped up.
Margie McDonald, who works for one of the leading newspapers down under 'The Australian' said that the preparations were adequate and the negative publicity around the Games has been to the lax attitude of the organising committee.
She spoke to some of the media persons present at the media box and said that she has covered a few Olympic Games, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games but the preparations in New Delhi were as good as any where.
"Well, I have been to quite a few media centers, I have been to several Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games and definitely what I can see so far is fine," said McDonald.
The media facility is located at the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Complex at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi; the Media Centre can accommodate as many as 600 journalists at a given time this includes 400 reporters and 200 camera persons.
There are a total of 300 computers at the Media Centre with a high class broadband connectivity.
McDonald was of the opinion that the facilities are as good as any, yet a little planning could have helped the Indians avoid the criticism they got from around the world.
"Well, I think India is doing fine, I think they just got behind a bit as I can see that there has been a rush and when there is a rush things get left behind, and things back up and get a lot of jam. From what I can see, it's going to be fine. Just
I wish that they probably started their preparation a little bit earlier, they seem to be just coming from behind. The standard is what I expect from this level of games." said McDonald.
The host nation is running against time to save their blushes and beleaguered reputation of the country as hosts, after the most sought after sporting event in the last two decades went into trouble.
Subsequently some of the leading athletes from around the world decided against taking part in the event.
There was more trouble for the hosts when some nations threatened to pull out unless authorities cleaned up the game venues.
Following criticism, the host nation made a special effort of tightening their security around the Games venues by deploying thousands of security personnel, as athletes from various countries start arriving for the event that is set to start on 3rd
of October.
On the other hand, the Australian cricket team that is there to take part in a two test match series announced that they had reservations about the security at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.
"The match is scheduled from October 9 to 13, so there is lots of time," he said.
"When they come here, we will make the arrangements as usual."
"With the small explosions outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during IPL III, there is obviously some greater sensitivity and awareness about security risks in Bangalore," Sutherland said.
Cricket http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 sent a team comprising the team manager (Steve Bernard), cricket operations manager (Geoff Allardice), security manager (Frank Dimasi) and a representative of the players' association to have a look at the security
that was in place for the event.
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