CWG chief ‘disappointed’ by stadium delay

‘‘Great disappointment!’’ That’s how Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell reacted to the delay in delivery of venues for the 2010 Games scheduled for October next year.

After a series of meetings on Saturday, Fennell said in a statement that he was distressed to hear that despite promises of delivery according to timelines, there were further delays in completion of certain venues, particularly

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and SP Mukherjee Swimming

Complex. However, in a move that brought the smile back to the face of organizing committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, Fennell announced scrapping of the Technical Review Committee (TRC) that he had proposed during his stormy visit in October for the CGF general assembly. This, he said, he was doing in view of the draft report of the CGF coordination commission which had mentioned ‘‘significant progress in operational planning’’.

The CGF chief spent all of Saturday holding meetings. After a meeting of the organising committee, Fennell stepped out with CGF CEO Micheal Hooper and OC chairperson Suresh Kalmadi to address the media. The body language indicated that there was a clear attempt to wipe out memories of the cold vibes evident at the Commonwealth games general assembly in October.

Fennel began on a soft note saying that the draft report had pointed to real progress in the organisation of the Games. But he was quick to point out that there was much ground to be covered.