Commonwealth Games chief to revisit Delhi venues

Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell starts a two-day inspection visit Wednesday amid admissions from organizers that venues still don't have safety certificates, and simmering corruption allegations that are overshadowing the New Delhi Games.

Fennell will inspect venues, some of which are still under construction, and get the latest updates on preparations from organizers of the Oct. 3-14 event, while also meeting government officials to get assurances on security and logistics issues.

Organizing committee vice-chairman Randhir Singh said the competition arenas are ready.

"We have things under control … Whatever little needs to be done, will be completed by Aug. 25," said Singh, who is also secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association and the Olympic Council of Asia.

He wasn't so confident about all of the facilities.

"There are concerns about completion of some practice venues. Also, we have not yet received the safety certificates for all venues," he admitted.

Fennell, who had expressed satisfaction about the level of preparations on a visit in March, may not be as encouraged with less than 50 days to the opening ceremonies.

"The corruption charges are a major concern," Fennell said ahead of the visit. "The organizing committee has to secure a report on progress of venues as well as fitness, fire, health and safety from government departments."

Fennell is putting the onus on the Games organizers after they repeatedly blamed government departments for delays in handing over venues.

The organizing committee, led by Suresh Kalmadi, has been bombarded with allegations over the past few weeks involving the excessive cost of purchasing equipment, issuing contracts without following due process and the departure of some key partners.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently intervened, appointing a group of ministers to oversee preparations, visit venues each week to monitor progress and ensure contractors meet fresh deadlines.

He also launched investigations into allegations of wrongdoing, saying: "All those found guilty should face severe and exemplary punishment."

His actions came in the wake of two top Indian officials being fired amid corruption allegations relating to contracts awarded in London for the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay.

The Indian media has also reported on the exorbitant costs of purchasing treadmills, refrigerators and identity cards following recent audits. Premium Brands, the official merchandizing company for the Games, cited frustration at the slow progress of planning for pulling out of its contract to supply items, including souvenir shirts and caps.

"We have decided to withdraw as the project has got delayed too much," the company's chairman, Suresh Kumar, said last week. "We will never come forward to partner the Indian Olympic Association again."

While Fennell will come seeking a lot of answers from organizers, the Indian government will have questions for him.

Indian Sports Minister M.S. Gill has called for Fennell to bring star athletes, rather than masses of administrators and staff from national teams.

"I request Mr. Fennell to bring stars and not thousands of officials, because it is the stars that people want to see," Gill said in the wake of the withdrawals by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and Scottish cyclist Chris Hoy.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has predicted the Commonwealth Games will be a success, despite all the problems in advance.

"I'm optimistic, in spite of everything written by pessimist media, for the Commonwealth Games," Rogge told The Associated Press in an interview on the sidelines of the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. "They will show the capacity of India to organize great Games."