India aim to salvage Commonwealth Games
With only a week left before the start of the biggest sporting extravaganza in India in the last two decades, Commonwealth Games organisers are running from pillar to post to salvage the tainted reputation of their country.
The Games have been described as a sham by many across the globe as concerns over the athletes village, hygiene and security are mounting with every passing day.
In the midst of all the brouhaha, members of England's Commonwealth Games were preparing for a meeting with some representatives of the Organizing Committee in New Delhi.
The purpose of the meeting was to find out a strategy to overcome the problems for the accommodation at the athletes' village.
England, which is one of the most high profile squads in New Delhi, raised concerns over the readiness of the venues after controversy at the state of the venues and the village made it to the media horizon, prompting speculations that the event might be
jeopardized.
A member of the contingent raised his concerns to the Indian media before adding that he and his team were working closely with the organisers to ensure that all issues are sorted out at the Games Village.
"We are working very closely with the authorities. And there is a big meeting this morning…chef de mission meeting this morning. We are monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis," he said.
"We are just monitoring on a daily basis and working very closely with the authorities," added Parker.
The first batch of the English squad that included the hockey team arrived in New Delhi on Friday and chose to lodge in a hotel rather than the dilapidated Games Village.
On the other hand, the squad visited the village where many members looked impressed with the facilities that have seen a major lift in the last few days. After their visit, they ensured the organisers that they plan to move at the start of the week.
The last few days have heightened concerns that New Delhi would fail to live up to its promise of delivering a world class event as glaring loopholes emerged at the Games venues besides the problems that have plagued the Village.
Organisers had to bear the brunt of a collapsed footbridge, falling ceiling tiles, a dengue outbreak and an athlete’s village being dubbed "unfit for human habitation".
As a result of this failure, the facilities have caused an uproar in India and abroad, raising questions over the country's ability to host the Games.
Besides this, the security concerns have also been heightened after two Taiwanese were shot and wounded by unknown assailants outside the Jamia Mosque in the Indian capital which is prone to violent attacks on the tourists in the last decade or so.
On the other hand, the Australia Commonwealth Games swimming team left for a training camp in Malaysia where they bid to prepare for the competition where a galaxy of world class swimmers are set to gather.
For the Australians, the focus is on the competition and one of the squad members Geoffrey Huegill touched on the spirit in the camp.
"I'm all one hundred percent satisfied. It would take a h**l of a lot to swing my vote from this point in. So and in saying that too it's going to have to be a decision that's made by the Commonwealth Games Association, because even still if I get there
and I, let’s say worse case scenario half the team does pull out, until the Commonwealth association says that I specifically cannot go, then I'm definitely going," he said.
Another swimmer Eamon Sullivan echoed similar sentiments.
"I think everyone knows it's going to be different, but that's just another challenge and that's what we love doing, we love going to different countries and performing where ever we are despite the conditions.”
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