Everything on track for Commonwealth Games: Kalmadi

Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the Comonwealth Games Organising Commitee, said Thursday he is confident that everything will fall in place in time for the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.

"Everything is ready and on the right track," Kalmadi, who is also the president of the Indian Olympic Association, told IANS on the sidelines of the launch of a book "India For a Billion Reasons".

The last few days have been turbulent for the organisers. Some leading athletes of world have pulled out of the Games. The monsoon is also playing spoilsport and causing major hindrances in the preparations.

Asked about triple Olympian and double World champion Usain Bolt's participation, Kalmadi said: "I have had a talk with (Commonwealth Games Federation chief) Mike Fennell, let's see what happens. Moreover, the final date for participants to confirm their entries is September 6."

He, however, brushed aside a question on the flooding of stadiums and the collapsing of stadium roofs due to the rains, saying: "That question is for the government to answer."

On the issue of seeking funds from the Board of Control for Cricket in India Kalmadi said, "We are requesting sponsorship from them. We are still in talks with them."