India warned to speed up Games work

The Commonwealth Games Federation on Thursday warned India again on the slow progress for Delhi 2010,saying "there remains much to be done" with just five months to go to the sporting extravaganza.

CGF treasurer Austin Sealy of Barbados, whose team inspected the preparations over the last four days, said he was concerned about the delay in building major venues, including the main Nehru stadium.

"While there remains much to be done, the main concern for the CGF is the delay in the delivery of major sports venues by the venue owners and, in particular, the Nehru stadium, the Talkatora swimming complex, as well as the Games Village," Sealy said in a statement.

The Nehru stadium is due to host the opening and closing ceremonies, besides the track and field events, at the October 3-14 Games in the Indian capital.

"These delays have a knock-on effect and hamper the organising committee's planning and implementation for final overlay, staff training, rehearsal, and simulation," Sealy said.

"It is imperative that everything be done to accelerate works and that the agencies responsible for venue delivery cooperate fully with the organising committee to ensure the final planning for handover and operations."

The 12-day sporting extravaganza is being billed as the most expensive Commonwealth Games in history with an infrastructure and organising budget of two billion dollars.

The previous edition in Melbourne, Australia in 2006 cost 1.1 billion dollars.

Austin, however, complimented the organising committee, headed by Indian Olympic chief Suresh Kalmadi, for the "rapid progress" in some other areas such as operational and ticketing issues.

He said security remained a key factor in the Games and the CGF was in constant touch with the organising committee, Delhi police and the Indian government to monitor the arrangements.

"All parties, including the CGF, are committed to the conduct of safe and friendly Games which will be enjoyed by all," Sealy said.

The Commonwealth Games, the biggest multi-sport event to be staged in India since the Asian Games in 1982, will feature 71 nations and territories mainly from the former British empire.