Safety the primary concern for CGF

Safety, as reported by HT 10 days ago, will be the primary concern of Commonwealth Games Federation when its president arrives here for his two-day visit on Wednesday. The CGF chief, Mike Fennell, during an exclusive interview with HT, had asked the Games Organising Committee to provide fitness
certificates from each of the agencies involved in the preparation of the stadiums — which are primarily, the central public works department, the state public works department, the Delhi Development Authority and the Sports Authority of India.

On Tuesday, CGF chief executive officer Mike Hooper reiterated the concern and said the OC should be ready with the relevant certificates regarding health, fire and safety. "Safety of our athletes is the primary concern," said Hooper. "We need the certifications so that we can reassure our member countries that everything is alright and there is nothing to worry about."

According to CGF, the two days will be spent inspecting the venues and meeting all the officials who have been entrusted with the job of conducting a smooth Games. The CGF, however, said that they would need a concrete answer from the OC and the other agencies as to whether the stadiums would be 'fit for purpose'.

The OC said it was ready to take Fennell to all the stadiums. Lalit Bhanot, the secretary general and the spokesperson of the OC on Tuesday said, "He will see for himself and let him decide. We are ready with everything. Let him assess things as he sees them." As for the certifications, Bhanot said, "we have got them and if there is something missing somewhere that too will be fixed."