CWG'10 Chef de Missions seminar begins

Chef de Missions from all the 71 participating nations will visit the Commonwealth Games venues in the next two days to take stock of capital's preparedness for the October 3-14 mega-event.

The Chef de Missions are here to participate in a three-day seminar, where different aspects of the event's organisation will be discussed.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell while delivering the opening address at the seminar on Tuesday assured the delegates that India would host the Games successfully.

"Over the next couple of days, you will visit all the Games venues and find them in various stages of completion. I am sure that the venues will be ready and the overlays will be installed in time for the Games. Some of the venues are completed and test events have either been held or will be held soon.

"I am pleased that the Organising Committee, backed by the Government of India, has overcome all hurdles that have come its way. These are our Games and India is only hosting them for us. I am sure you have already experienced the fantastic hospitality that India is capable of," he said.

Earlier, Games' Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi welcomed the delegates and reiterated that Delhi is gearing up for a "memorable" Games.

"We are confident of delivering a high-class experience to your contingents, including memorable Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the best Games Village. The Games is a symbol of national pride for us and athletes are at the centrestage in all our efforts.

"We have accorded the highest priority to the sports equipment and will use only brands that are used at the highest level of competition like Olympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games," said Kalmadi, who is also President of the Indian Olympic Association.