Need to work hard to complete CWG projects in time: Dikshit

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday acknowledged that it will be "difficult" to complete all projects related to the Sheila Dikshit Commonwealth Games 2010 in the coming eight months.

Nevertheless, she expressed hope that the administration will be able to finish the work in time.

"It will be difficult to complete the CWG works in the next eight months and we need to work hard. But I believe we will complete the work smoothly," she said inaugurating the Ludlow Castle Wrestling Training Venue at a school near Civil Lines, the first Games venue to have been completed.

She also cautioned officials against giving excuses for delay in completing the projects.

"Drought, heavy rainfall, no rain - all these excuses will not work for us now. Before September 3, we have to complete all works related to the Games," she said at the function, which was also attended by Delhi ministers Arvinder Singh Lovely and Raj Kumar Chauhan.

"This is the first building to be completed for CWG. Today, We have completed the first phase of the Games. All credit goes to the PWD and education departments," she said.

She also used the opportunity to reach out to the students, whose participation, she believes, will be very important in hosting the Games successfully.

"I want to tell the children that we will need about 50,000 volunteers for the Games and our education department will soon start selecting volunteers. Besides, we need 10,000 students for opening and closing ceremonies," she said at the presence of IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi.

Kalmadi said the infrastructure for Commonwealth Games will be helpful in the future for those who want to take up Olympic sports.

"Cricket is more popular in the country and these facilities will help in encouraging those taking up Olympic sports," he said.