Kalmadi thanks Delhiites and others for 'successful' CWG

Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi today thanked Delhiites and "unseen" people for their contribution in making various events successful during the grand sporting event and said "excellent" results will help spread the message of Olympics in New Delhi. "The citizens of
Delhi have happily joined hands with Delhi Police to ensure the implementations of the Games Lane so that the athletes’ schedules are not affected by traffic. No event of this magnitude can be successful without the contribution of several people, unseen but vital," Kalmadi said in ‘Village News’ – a special daily newspaper, meant for Commonwealth Games Village residents.

He said there have been some fabulous results from the velodrome and the pool.

"The number of new Games records set is a testimony to the quality of competition and the field of play," he said adding that "I am confident that such excellent results will help spread the message of Olympic sport in India."

Kalmadi said his colleagues in the Indian Olympic Association share the optimism that "we can build on the surge of interest and enthusiasm among sports fans in the country. We know we can build on this to sustain the development of many new champions.

"It is pleasing to note that all competitions have been held according to schedule thus far."

The 19th Commonwealth Games being hosted by the country was marred by several controversies including corruption and filthiness in several facilities meant for athletes.

Over 7,000 athletes from 71 nations are living in the Commonwealth Games Village here to participate in 12-day-long sporting event scheduled to end on October 14.