Book on CWG legacy

The recently-launched book Road to Commonwealth Games 2010 covers all areas, ranging from predictions to investments to security of the Games.

Author Sunil Yash Kalra said the book on the Games is an answer to everything a person wanted to know about this multi-disciplinary sports
extravaganza. “The idea behind the book was to talk about the legacy of the Games,” said Kalra at the book launch. Published by Penguin and priced at R199, it is now hit the shelves.

The name is Khan

The Commonwealth Games are not doing much to make us Delhiites proud. However, Khan Market definitely is. According to the annual global survey by real estate consultants Cushman & Wakefield, this central Delhi market has been declared the world’s 21st most expensive retail high street. HT City
takes a look at what makes Khan Market so cool.

1 This is one place in Delhi where stray dogs and cats feel loved. They are well looked after, vaccinated,
well fed and are also wrapped with coats during winters.

2 The Khan Market crowd is the upper crust of Delhi society. It comprises of diplomats, book lovers, foodies, politicians and the rest of the fashionable.

3 The market’s middle lane is rutty but who cares... it is lined with cool restaurants — from cafes to fine diners — offering cuisines from all over the world.

4 Khan Market is pricey and is a natural ‘home’ for the rich but the good thing is that it has free parking for your car and there are attendants to guide you.

5 Khan Market is known for its bookshops. Their number has dwindled to four (KD Singh’s The Book Shop is terribly missed) but the remaining shops are still some of Delhi’s best bookstores. Even if you don’t like books, just step in for people watching.

6 Yay, the Metro is coming to Khan. The soon-to-be-opened Humayun Road metro stop will, for all purposes, be known as the metro station for Khan Market. Commuting to the place will become easier.

7 Khan Market is the favoured destination of Delhi’s famous people, all coming from different walks of life. Sample the regulars: MP Rahul Gandhi, singer Shubha Mudgal, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, dancer Shovana Narayan and author William Dalrymple. Heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor, too, has been spotted here.

8 The landmark eateries of Khan Chacha’s and Salim’s Kabab enables fashionable Delhiites to get Delhi’s best kathi rolls and kebabs without venturing into Old Delhi, the traditional haunt for kebabs.

9 Khan Market is more than just the sum total of its showrooms. Delhi’s only Parsi cemetery lies just behind it. Its backyard also boasts of Delhi’s only synagogue.

10 Khan Market has some of the few good, clean places in Delhi, other than 5-star hotel coffee shops, that offer early breakfasts. Choko La, for instance, offers lovely choices as early as 8am.

11 The public toilets in the Middle Lane maintain hygiene standards that rivals that of the nearby 5-star hotel.

12 You can find the world in Khan Market. And we don’t just mean the expat crowd. When it comes to shopping for foreign cheeses, chocolates, hummus, juices, fruits and even flowers, moneyed Delhiites drive to Khan Market.

13 Khan Market is the place to pamper your pets. The Market has two shops selling all that you need for your Poopoo.

14 Khan Market gives you freedom from the ‘shady’ crowd. The rich dad’s poor girl can walk around without worrying about the stares of ‘perverts’. For there aren’t any such men in Khan Market, or so it seems.

15 Come to Khan Market to check out what’s the latest in high-street style. Divas who come to shop here are dressed in their sartorial best.

16 Khan Market has a dizzying wide range of footwear. You can buy a sandal worth R10,000 or a chappal from street side stall here for less than Rs 300.

17 “My name is Khan and I’m not a mall.” In a city where the shopping public is being swept by the first-world glamour of malls, Khan Market still remains fashionable.

More guidance needed on Delhi risks, Bishop says

The Federal Opposition says the Government should be telling Australian athletes whether or not it is safe to travel to the Commonwealth Games in India.

The Government has encouraged athletes and supporters to monitor its travel advice for Delhi and then make up their own mind about attending.

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop says that position is understandable.

She says India should be given every chance to stage the Games, but she has told ABC 1's Insiders program that more specific guidance is needed.

"I think in this instance, the Government having access to so much security and intelligence information, what they need to do is give the athletes their assessment, that is the Government's own assessment of the security risk and the adequacy of the security arrangements," she said.

"Now no government can give a guarantee as to the security arrangements, but they're on the ground, they have access to a whole range of security information that the athletes possibly cannot access and so I believe the Government should give more guidance."

Parents want school closed for games; no decision yet

With parents and their wards demanding holidays during the Commonwealth Games, private schools in Faridabad are grappling with confusion.

"Our schools will remain open during the Games," S S Gausain, President, Haryana Progressive Schools' Conference (HPSC) said.

However, he said, schools will remain closed if the district administration orders holidays during the Games. The HPSC is a body of 80 schools in Faridabad.

"I was informed that a few schools have voluntarily decided to remain closed during the Games," Praveen Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Faridabad told Hindustan Times. The government schools in Faridabad will remain closed from October 1 to 10, he said.

Meanwhile, various parents' associations have urged the private schools to declare holidays during the Games to let their children enjoy the Games.

"Schools should not only declare holidays, but should also take their students to the Games venue," said N.L. Jangir, district President of Faridabad Abibavak Ekta Manch.

"It is the responsibility of the schools to allow their students to watch the Games," he said, adding that involvement in the Games is extremely important to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship in children.

"We have been informed that a few schools in Faridabad have decided to remain closed during the Games. Moreover, we don't want the children to suffer as traffic chaos is expected due to the lanes restrictions," Jangir said.

‘Games Village work may take two more days'

We will deliver a Village that would compare with the best, says Delhi Chief Minister

The work in the Commonwealth Games Village is proceeding fast but may still take another couple of days to complete, said Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who had been asked by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to supervise the final clean-up operation, talking to The Hindu on Saturday.

“When we began work, the residential towers were lying unclean, a large number of glasses and other panels were broken, there was water-logging and seepage in many parts, and much of the furniture and other equipment was yet to be installed. But in the past two days work has been carried out on a war footing and we will soon be able to deliver a Village that would compare with the best,” said Ms. Dikshit, who has now stopped attending too many meetings and is devoting her time “in the field”, paying several visits a day to the Games Village.

On how the Village is gradually transforming itself into what it should have been, the Chief Minister said a large workforce has been deployed and necessary equipment brought in.

“We have roped in several hotels like The Lalit, Maurya Sheraton and Taj Group along with professional housekeeping service providers. This has definitely helped as they are coming in with equipment and cleaning up the place and helping maintain it that way. The players who have already come in, like those from New Zealand and Malaysia, are quite happy with the services on offer. I told them that I would be happier if on October 15 they'll say that they want to stay longer in India,” she said.

Besides the professionals, Ms. Dikshit said about 50 senior Delhi Government officials are regularly coordinating with the hotel managers in ensuring proper upkeep of the residential towers. “In almost all the towers we had problem of cleanliness and hygiene. Gradually they are being readied and the players are being moved into them.”

“Till Friday the refrigerators and other equipment was coming in and then there were problems about electricity connections and other such things. We are resolving these on a continuous basis,” she added.

Stating that the problem with some parts of the complex, such as certain basements, is acute, the Chief Minister said: “We are trying to clean them up as much as possible and spraying chemicals to disinfect them. Then these parts are being sealed off completely to ensure that there is no problem of mosquitoes or germs in the rest of the area.”

As far as the food being served or the international zone is concerned, Ms. Dikshit said they are in perfect order. “I have asked them to prepare meals for 1,000 additional persons daily because a large workforce is involved and it cannot work on empty stomachs. We have about 150 persons from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi involved in the cleaning work.”

Asked why the cleaning is taking more than the expected time, she said there were issues pertaining to security as well. “The people brought in for the job did not have any prior security clearance and so it was taking them long to enter the Games Village. But we have requested that their entry be expedited so that the work can end quickly.”Outside the Games Village, Ms. Dikshit said she was satisfied with the way the greenery and landscaping work has gone.

Delhi Games Organisers Convince the Commonwealth They Can Deliver

The 19th Commonwealth Games look set to begin as planned, but only after Delhi, and India gets the message that so far it has not been good enough.

On 4 October 2010 the Opening Ceremony of the Delhi Commonwealth Games takes place at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Athletes have begun arriving, nervous about what they will find but determined to attend and compete at the much maligned sporting occasion.

The lead-up to the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games has been nothing short of bizarre, with officials in denial about the true state of progress for months. Combine that with the health risks associated with visiting this part of the world and real security concerns, and some competitors selected to represent their countries have declined the invitation to participate. Personal decisions have been made to which no criticism has been attached.
Athletes are Arriving in Delhi

For the sportsmen and women from around the Commonwealth satisfied that the competition and the honour of participating in the Games outweighs the discomforts and potentially more serious issues they may encounter, the final countdown is on. Their very attendance has come only after crisis meetings around the Commonwealth amid real fears that leading countries would withdraw their whole teams. That has not eventuated, but the credibilty of the Commonwealth Games as a viable sporting occasion, and of India as an organiser of a major world event, is on the line.

Publicity around sanitation and the general of the athletes’ village has left noboby in doubt about what concerns participants and team officials. As members of the England hockey and lawn bowls teams were welcomed as the first overseas contingent on 24 September, other nations were delaying departure for India. A fully justified decision according to all reports on the condition of the athlete accommodation.
Delhi Games Village Still Needs Work

On 25 September the Telegraph reported that only one of the three residential towers assigned to England's 560-strong team is ready for the first arrivals. England chef de mission Craig Hunter was reported as saying that “repairs” were needed to make the other towers habitable, and “the work would have to continue well beyond the start of the Games next Sunday. “

In confirming New Zealand’s attendance at the Commonwealth Games, the NZ Olympic Committee has decreed that athletes must remain within a tightly controlled security "bubble" in Delhi. That means all they will see is “the troubled village, the Games venues and the transport routes between the village and the venues, “ reports the NZ Herald on 25 September.

The Herald report revealed that earlier inspections were restricted by Delhi organisers and quite misleading, with NZ Chef de mission Dave Currie’s earlier positive reports based on his inspection of “the equivalent of a show home”. Currie’s comments were supported by NZOC secretary-general Barry Maister, who contended that officials from all countries sent to report on conditions were denied access to areas of the village.
Cultural Differences and Games Preparations

Amid the uproar over the inadequate preparations for the Delhi Games comes the issue of cultural differences. Indian officials continue to assure the Commonwealth that despite appearances everything will be ‘all right on the night”. India refused to accept outside advice and support for hosting the Games, insisting that they would prepare for and deliver the Games their way. But what they did not take account of was the way other cultures construct their own views of reality.

When CWG Organising Committee Secretary General Lalit Bhanot suggested that India should not be ashamed of the unhygienic facilities because “it was just a matter of difference in perception of cleanliness,’ he clearly went too far. Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell's resonse was quick. "That was unacceptable. Hygiene has no nationality. It's same all over the world," Fennell was quoted by Times of India in an article on 25 September.
Let the Games Begin

On 26 September the Sydney Morning Herald reported Fennell as acknowledging the effort organisers were now making to deal with the problems that have beset the Delhi games. But he repeated concerns. "The work left to be done is quite extensive," Fennell said after touring the athletes' village.

When India won the right to host the Commonwealth Games in 2003, the cost was put at less than $100 million. Estimates now range $3 billion to more than $10 billion according to the NZ Herald. That means big problems for India now and into the future as result of its approach to delivering the event. The whole experience also raises the issue – can the Games survive in their present form? A lot depends on what unfolds in Delhi during the coming weeks.

Join hands in fight against terror: MEA to Australia

Two days after Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s statement that there was a “high risk of terrorism” in New Delhi, India on Saturday said it was in close touch with Australia and other countries participating in the Commonwealth Games on the steps being taken and that it was “incumbent on all” to join hands to tackle this scourge of terrorism.

Describing terrorism as “an unfortunate reality” which recognises no political borders, New Delhi said the Indian government had taken effective measures to ensure the safety and security of all during the Commonwealth Games.

“We have seen the statement, purportedly on the lines of a travel advisory issued by Australia. Terrorism is an unfortunate reality in today’s world which recognises no political borders. It is incumbent on all countries to join hands to tackle this scourge,” said Vishnu Prakash, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, a day after The Indian Express reported the outrage within the government circles on the Australian PM’s remarks. “We are confident of having a safe and successful sporting event.”

Even as New Delhi reacted to Gillard’s remarks, media reports from Melbourne said the Australian authorities had received intelligence inputs about a plan by al-Qaida-linked terrorists to take foreigners hostage during the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Positive signals from Canada, New Zealand

The Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is looking forward to the Games in Delhi and has sent positive signals to that effect even as encouraging reports came from New Zealand which, after studying the situation at the Games Village and the safety measures for the athletes, gave its approval.

The first athletes from Canada are scheduled to arrive on Monday starting with boxing and lawn bowls squads. The boxing team will have seven athletes, two coaches and one team leader while the lawn bowls will comprise 11 players, one coach and one leader. Some mission staff will be moving into the athlete's village on Sunday. The Canadian authorities are satisfied with the “emergency and evacuation procedures” put in place at the Games Village that has remained the focal point in the past few days.

The fact that the internet availability had improved at the Village and four new mission staffers, including two sport science experts, doing preliminary assessments and reporting that the “venues look good” has only boosted the spirits of the athletes looking forward to the event.

Meanwhile, 37 athletes and team officials from 11 nations and territories arrived here.

The largest contingent to arrive on Saturday was a 23-member delegation from Trinidad and Tobago.

Time to focus on challenge ahead

Pullela Gopi Chand feels it is time to focus on the challenge ahead in the 2010 Commonwealth Games rather than on issues like pull-outs.

“After a couple of years when you look back, what will matter is whether you won a medal or not in Delhi,” Gopi said.

The Indian squad has been going through a preparatory camp at the Gopi Chand Academy here. “Playing in front of home crowds and in conditions familiar to us are advantageous. But, again, even to win here, you have to play at your best,” he said.

He picked the World No. 12 mixed doubles pair of V. Diju and Jwala Gutta for special mention.

“They are an exceptional combination and the way they complement each other on the court is amazing.

“I am expecting a much better haul of medals in Delhi this time compared to the 2006 Melbourne Games,” Gopi said.

Saina Nehwal who propelled India to a team bronze in the Melbourne Games is in the mood to script a new chapter. “The biggest motivation is that the entire crowd will be behind you. These make the Games so special,” she said.

The team: Men: Chetan Anand, Parupalli Kashyap, Sanave Thomas, Rupesh Kumar and V. Diju.

Women: Saina Nehwal, Aditi Mutatkar, Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa and Aparna Balan.

Chief National coach: Pullela Gopi Chand. Foreign coach: Atik Jauhari .

Finally, cops lock down CWG venues

Even as the Delhi police  remained vague about the exact status of the lockdown of venues, sources claimed the complete lockdown of the Commonwealth Games venues was more or less complete by Saturday midnight. Though security agencies refused to come on record, top police personnel confirmed that the lockdown of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which would host the inaugural and closing ceremonies along with a host of events, was completed by Friday midnight.

Security agencies said they are expecting to complete the lockdown of the Games Village by early Sunday morning. Union home minister P Chidambaram had on September 23 issued a stern warning to organizers to complete the work at stadiums by Friday night and hand them over to Delhi Police, the nodal security agency for the Games, for lockdown at midnight.

Sources at the police headquarters said on Saturday evening that a complete security lockdown of some of the venues, including the Games Village, could be completed in the next few hours. "The work is finally over at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Though we had already locked down the other venues, we believe we can announce the completion of the entire process by Sunday,'' said a senior security officer.

Sources said the security personnel are facing difficulties while guarding the Commonwealth Games Village and other venues due to frequent movement of labourers. Though accreditation of these workers was already completed in bulk, their movement inside the Village is being strictly monitored.

According to them, a complete lockdown should ideally be put in place a month before the event starts. They said there were tight security arrangements and there was no need to worry. The initial plan was to have a lockdown from September 15 but it was extended to September 22 midnight which could also not be met.

There was some commotion near Sewa Nagar near the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium after an unclaimed bag was found lying on the road on Saturday evening. Police said it was finally found to be a false alarm.

Meanwhile, the Games Village has become operational without a complete lockdown as athletes have started arriving, the official said. He added that they, however, sanitized the area before the delegates came. "The 30-metre radius around the Village has been sanitized and no one without proper accreditation is being allowed to enter. Many armed policemen, including paramilitary personnel, have been deployed across the stadia and Village. Sophisticated gadgets have also been installed at the stadia,'' he said.

The security has been stepped up across the city after Sunday's firing incident at Jama Masjid in which two Taiwanese nationals were injured. Delhi Police have conducted various drills, including anti-sabotage checks, after they took over possession of the venues, the official said. Concerns were earlier raised over the delay in handing over of venues to security agencies as some quarters felt that it would impede the security preparations.

Delhi Police commissioner Y S Dadwal, however, had played down the delay and said the force was prepared to handle the security issues related to the sporting extravaganza. "We know the stadia and surrounding areas. So securing them or other areas will not be a problem,'' Dadwal had said.

Delhi airspace closure on Oct 3, 14

The Delhi airspace  would remain partially closed for five hours during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games. But domestic and international commercial air operations would not be affected.

The closure would be effective from 5pm to 10pm on October 3 and October 14 the opening and closing days of the Commonwealth Games, a civil aviation ministry official said. "Barring routine commercial flights and those of the Indian Air Force, Border Security Force and Aviation Research Centre, no other aircraft would be allowed to take off or land at the Delhi airport and those within a 300-kilometre radius,'' said the official.

Flights of microlight aircraft and hang gliders from flying clubs and other airports would be banned during the five-hour period around Delhi on both days. However, helicopters and aircraft owned by state governments, flying the governors or chief minister within the state, would be allowed after the necessary clearance from the Union home ministry, the official said. Delhi's Safdarjung airport would also remain closed during this period "except for Indian Air Force helicopters which may be deployed on emergency or VVIP duties,'' the official added.

Fennell: we will have good Games

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell has conceded that everyone has to share the blame and responsibility for the inadequate preparation, particularly in regard to the Athletes Village, even as he confirmed full participation of all the member-countries for the games set to open on October 3.

In the first news conference at the Main Press Centre (MPC) in Pragati Maidan on Saturday, Mr. Fennell said that it was time for all stake-holders to focus on the task on hand.

“There is quite considerable work left to be done. But everything will be ready and we will have good games,” Mr. Fennell said.

He said the Organising Committee had been entrusted with the responsibility by the CGF, which in turn was dependent on the developers to get things done. “In any games, there are a number of stakeholders, overall we have to ensure that we do everything to conduct the Games,” Mr. Fennell added.

He recalled his warning on the previous visit that cleaning was the key to projecting a positive image of the Games to the world in the run-up to the main event.

'Seven days to save face'

Driving around Delhi last week, as the rains poured on the Commonwealth Games party, it was difficult to believe this drenched city, which hardly looked in the mood to welcome visitors, was getting dressed for a big occasion. There were few billboards advertising the event and nothing seemed to be ready yet.

Worse, there was a clear lack of enthusiasm generally associated with such events.
Negotiating the jammed, waterlogged streets, the taxi driver said he wished his country had never set out to stage the Games.

“What are we getting from these Games?” Rajbir asked. “They have closed some roads making life difficult for us. There are few tourists coming. So much money has been spent and so much of it pocketed, and all that the country has got is shame.”

As the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing were the “coming out party” for China, the Commonwealth Games had been expected to showcase “India Shining” on the global stage.

But after visiting Delhi last week, the sense of collective disillusionment sweeping through India is palpable.

Every new day sees more embarrassment heaped on a nation that was hoping to join countries such as China, South Africa and Greece who have been able to successfully bring showcase sporting events to the world.

Rajbir, the driver, navigated around some of the Games venues, which still resembled constructions sites with few workers in sight. The clean-up operations had yet to start.
An elevated road leading to the main arena for the Games, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, seemed ready for launch, but roads in the rest of the city were still full of spine-jarring potholes, some big enough to belong to the manholes category.

The taxi got stuck in one such ditch, an open gutter, and, with pants pulled up to the thighs, we valiantly tried to push it out without much success.

After an hour of getting soaked in the rains, a tractor finally helped us out – for an exorbitant price, of course.

“The funny thing is they have cleared jhuggis (slums) from around the city,” Rajbir said, “but they have forgotten to clean the rooms at the Games Village.”

Sarcasm about the shambolic build-up to the event, which has been dubbed the “Shame Games” by the Indian media, is rife.

“A collapse a day keeps the athletes away,” said an SMS from Shams Raza, a production executive with an Indian news channel, referring to a footbridge that collapsed outside the main stadium last Tuesday.

Later, as we met at the airport – the one impressive addition the Games have given Delhi – Raza showed us photographs of the filthy rooms from the Games Village. On the television sets at the new terminal, footage of the collapsed footbridge and an Australian journalist entering the main arena unchecked with a suitcase full of detonators dominated discussions.

“We have had seven years to put on a show,” Raza said. “Now we have seven days to save face.”

With salvage operations having started on a “war footing” since, India’s aspirations have been reduced to trying to protect the country’s image. But it could be a tad too late even for that.

Closing of CWG lanes to create traffic problems on city roads

People in the city are going to face traffic problems today with the Commonwealth Games lanes being closed for a few hours to facilitate athletes and their trainers who arrive in the city, police said.

''The Games lanes will be closed between 1100 and 1200 hrs and again between 2200 hrs to 2300 hrs. There will be partial restriction on the Games lane between Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Games Village,'' Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg said.

There would be no exclusive Games Lane restriction on various stretches in the city except from the airport to Games Village, he added ''People are expected to give way to Games-related traffic on hearing the hooter/siren from the traffic pilot motorcycle and on directions of traffic police officials posted at intersections,'' Mr Garg added.

However, these restrictions are not applicable to the motor vehicles of Delhi Police, ambulances, fire brigades and other emergency service vehicles.

Earlier, the restrictions on the lanes had to be enforced from September 20. However, it was later postponed to today as according to the organisers, the first batch of Games athletes did not reach the city before yesterday.

Around 7,000 participants and officials from 71 teams are expected to attend the Commonwealth Games scheduled to happen from October 3 to 14.

37 athletes from 11 countries arrive for Commonwealth Games

Foreign contingents continued to drop in after CGF president Mike Fennell's assurance of full participation in the Commonwealth Games with 37 athletes and team officials from 11 nations and territories arriving here today.

Five Chefs de Mission -- Shelley Burich of Samoa, Tuelo Serufho of Botswana, Elizabeth Renay Petersen of Namibia, France Simon Lespoir of Seychelles and Mohammed Beade Sahnoon of Ghana and Samoa team official Tagifano Taosoga and Botswana team general manager Game Gynnith -- were among the arrivals.

The largest contingent to arrive here today was a 23 member delegation from Trinidad and Tobago, including athletes and officials from aquatics, archery, boxing, gymnastics and squash as well as a team doctor.

Three more officials from England and Cameroon team official Desire Vincent Tsanga Adzigui were among the arrivals, a release from the Organising Committee said.

Others to arrive were Isle of Man double trap shooter Timothy James Kneale, Guyana's full bore shooter Mahendra Persaud and Trinidad and Tobago's squash player Colin Ramasra.

England men's hockey and lawn bowl teams were the first foreign athletes to land here yesterday.

Only few athletes pulled out of games, says Mike Hooper

The Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation Mike Hooper on Saturday said that only a small number of athletes have withdrawn themselves from the Games.

He said that some athletes have pulled out for variety of reasons, security concerns, health concerns with dengue, conflicting sporting events, injury. But it is not as though hundred athletes have withdrawn.

He added that he is satisfied with the security arrangements at the Games venues.

"With the deployment of 80,000 police, 7,500 paramilitary, 3,000 commanders, lot of hi-tech stuff, I mean, it may well be that some people will perceive the security environment a little bit oppressive, but it's safe and secure, and that's what we want to have, safe and secure. I'd rather that than there be any incidents in and around Games venues," said Hooper.

He added that he is pleased with the cleaning up of the Games village, but maintained that it should have been done well in advance.

"Clearly there are still concerns that the team leaders out there at the Village are voicing them daily and ... fear to acknowledge there has been good progress over the last three-four days. All of this should have been done way in advance and been ready for them. It is very frustrating that we are where we are," said Hooper.

"But we have to accept that and get as much done as possible in the next couple of days. Deploy, as Mister Fennell asked the cabinet Secretary, and, I believe, as Government of India is now responding, deploy whatever is necessary to put things right," he added.

The Games are due to commence on October 3 and end on the 14th.

India is expecting about two million tourists in New Delhi for the Games, as well as about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states.

Come as a friend and go back as family: Suresh Kalmadi's message to athletes

"Come as a friend and go back as a family," is the message that Commonwealth Games organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi today sent out to athletes and officials of the 71 Commonwealth countries.

After conducting a guided tour of the athletes village for journalists, Kalmadi, who is in the eye of a storm over Delhi's under-preparedness for the Games, said there was no question of him resigning and he would continue to be the president of Indian Olympic Association even after the Games.

He drifted away from giving any direct answers when asked about India's future as a venue for the Olympics Games in the near future.

"I am concentrating on the Commonwealth Games. We will talk about rest of it when the Games get over," he said.

Addressing a media conference at the village, Kalmadi said there is some work yet to be completed but will be done soon.

"Work is something that will happen till the end of the Games. We all have to work to make things possible. There is some work yet to be done but it would be completed," he said.

Talking about the Games and what Delhi has in store for the foreign athletes and officials, Kalmadi said, "Our slogan is 'come as a friend and go back as a family'. We are one big family and we will take care of everyone."

Seeking to allay fears over security after the recent shooting incident outside Jama Masjid, Kalmadi said, "That incident was not related to the Games but security has been spruced up after that. There is nothing to worry."

Asked if the pullout by a few star foreign athletes, citing health and security concerns, was a setback to the Games, he said, "I am sure lot of world champions are coming and new champions would be made here."

Kalmadi also said the cleaning process in the residential towers was already on and the water logging in the campus was due to the rains.

"It rained so much and hence the water logging had to happen. But today being a bright sunny day, the water has receded and rest has been pumped out. Hopefully, sunny days lie ahead."

Organising committee secretary general and spokesperson Lalit Bhanot, who came under criticism for saying Indian concept of cleanliness and hygiene was different from foreigners, said he was "misunderstood" earlier.

"I never meant anything of that sort. I was just telling about the difference of views on the methodology of cleaning things and I was misunderstood," he said.

Delhi airspace to partially close on Oct 3 and 14 for CommonWealth Games

Airspace over the national capital would remain partially closed for five hours during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games, but domestic and international commercial air operations would not be affected.

The closure would be effective from 5pm to 10pm on October 3 and October 14 -- the opening and closing days of the Commonwealth Games, a civil aviation ministry official said.

Barring routine commercial flights and those of the Indian Air Force, Border Security Force and Aviation Research Centre, no other aircraft would be allowed to take off or land at the Delhi airport and those within a 300km radius, she said.

Flights of microlight aircraft and hang gliders from flying clubs and other airports would be banned during the five-hour period around Delhi on both days.

However, helicopters and aircraft owned by state governments, flying the governors or chief minister within the state, would be allowed after the necessary clearance from the Union home ministry, the official said.

Delhi's Safdarjung airport would also remain closed during this period "except for Indian Air Force helicopters which may be deployed on emergency or VVIP duties", she added.

Sports theme based 'Shilpotsav-2010' to attract CWG tourists

Taking a cue from the Commonwealth Games, a sports theme based shopping festival - 'Shilpotsav-2010' - will be held here Oct 22-31 to attract tourists staying back after the Games.

The festival, to be held at Noida Stadium, in Sector-21 A, will be organised by Uttar Pradesh Ministry of Tourism in association with the Noida authority and the union tourism ministry.

The crafts fair will boast of 300 stalls and will provide an opportunity to tourists to acquaint themselves with the traditional crafts of India.

Besides India, craftsmen from Malaysia, Dubai, Mauritius, China, Indonesia and Singapore are also expected to participate in the fest.

Abhilash Sharma, regional director of the Uttar Pradesh tourism ministry, feels that "the festival would ensure a clean and friendly atmosphere with world class arrangements and will surely be a grand success".

The 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony for the fest took place Monday.

The fair will also have 100 stalls for commercial institutions and authorities. The allotment of stalls will be on a first-come-first-serve basis and free accommodation will be provided to the craftsmen during their stay here.

Other features include a 'senior citizen cabin' at the venue equipped with a doctor to attend to senior citizens and handicapped people in need of medical help; an amusement park; a museum exhibiting the main tourist  attractions of the state like Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Ambedkar Park, Mathura-Vrindavan; and food courts comprising popular outlets like McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Nirulas', Haldiram's, among others.

The entry ticket per person will cost Rs.10 while the entry for handicapped and children will be free. These will be available at cinema halls and leading shopping malls in Noida.

The venue will also host musical performances by artists like Sabri Brothers, Kavita Seth, Jasbir Jassi, Surendra Sharma, Malini Awasthi and Hemant Brijwasi.

During the 10-day fair, special transportation services like free shuttle service, battery-powered vehicles for senior citizens and feeder service from the Metro station to the festival ground will be made available for the convenience of the commuters.

The 19th Commonwealth Games will be held in the capital Oct 3-14.

CWG shopping festival begins today

Decorated and illuminated markets will greet visitors as the Commonwealth Games Shopping Festival at mjor markets in the capital will be inaugurated in New Delhi on Saturday evening, an official said. Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi would launch the festival at 5 pm
at Ajmal Khan Road in the Karol Bagh market.

"The festival will be on the lines of the Diwali preparations. It will offer attractive discounts, cultural activities and 100 percent satisfaction," Delhi Traders Association president Surinder Dhir told IANS.

According to an official, the festival has already created a lot of buzz in the form of queries from shoppers who are eagerly anticipating the offers and discounts.

The festival, an initiative of the Commonwealth Games 2010 Organising Committee and the Delhi Traders Association, will be held for 20 days till Oct 15 across all main markets in Delhi.

It will be held in popular markets like Greater Kailash, South Extension, Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Connaught Place, Kamla Nagar, Ajmal Khan Road, Rajouri Garden and Chawri Bazar, to name a few.

The markets will also be decorated and illuminated to induce the spirit of the Games and provide visitors with an insight into the cultural heritage of India.

"Volunteers from a firm called Personal Shoppers India (PSI) which is an initiative of the All India Traders Congress (AITC) will assist the foreigners so that they are not fleeced," Dhir said.

Although PSI was launched a year back, it will exclusively work for the Commonwealth Games throughout the festival without any commission as a social responsibility, he added.

"The tourists can also log on to PSI's website and contact them to arrange customised shopping for them," Dhir said.

Some 7,000 participants and officials from 71 teams are expected to attend the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games, India's biggest sporting event after the 1982 Asian Games.

Scottish athletes fly out to India for Commonwealth Games

THE Scotland team flew out of Glasgow today after fears over the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi finally began to be calmed.

With several high-profile athletes deciding not to take part in India because of a combination of health, safety and security fears the 19th Commonwealth Games had looked in serious doubt.

But despite the poor condition of the athletes village and the collapse of a pedestrian bridge and partial collapse of a ceiling in the weightlifting arena, all of the home nations will be in India.

With England already having sent athletes out yesterday and Wales and Northern Ireland also having confirmed their participation, Team Scotland's 192 athletes today began to travel with an Emirates flight out of Glasgow.

The remainder of the Team Scotland athletes will travel out over the coming days ahead of the Games which run from October 3-14.

As the first Scottish athletes departed today among those at the airport was the Minister for Public Health and Sport Shona Robison, who said: "The Scottish Government and its Games partners have worked hard to ensure that Team Scotland can participate in a safe and successful Commonwealth Games and I am very pleased to see our athletes boarding flights and setting off for Delhi.

"We are continuing to review the progress made on the ground and I have once again spoken to the Indian Sports Minister to stress the importance that the assurances given by the Indian Government translate into action in order that the Village is ready to receive the athletes due to stay there.

"I would like to take this opportunity to once again commend our team who have dealt extremely well in what has been very challenging circumstances.

"These challenges however should not distract from the efforts of the athletes who have devoted years to training in a bid to pull on the national jersey and represent their country on the international stage.

"I look forward to offering my support to the team in Delhi and I am sure all of Scotland will join me in wishing everyone the very best of luck in their quest for Commonwealth glory."

Games president: 'A lot of work needed' before start date

Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell has said there is still “a lot of work” to be done before the event gets underway in Delhi on October 3.

Fennel had a tour of the athletes’ village and held a meeting with Indian government officials yesterday following complaints about the readiness of the village.

Delhi’s preparations have also been hit by failures in the construction of venues. On Tuesday a bridge at the Jawaharlal Nehru complex, the centrepiece of the Games, collapsed leaving over 20 people injured before part of the ceiling at the weightlifting arena fell in on Wednesday.

Fennell had said yesterday that he had been heartened by “considerable improvements” made to facilities, but he sounded a more cautionary note today.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, to do the final touches, and there’s more work in the village. It’s not over yet,” he told a press conference.

Several teams delayed their departures to India due to their concerns, and at one point there were worries that some nations would choose to withdraw from the Games.

The event has seen a host of individual competitors opt to pull out, but Fennell confirmed that he was expecting all 71 teams to participate in Delhi.

“I am very happy that today we are recording that there will be full participation in the games,” Fennell said.

"I was very pleased to hear that the teams that had indicated some reservations had given instructions for their teams to travel to Delhi."

He also confirmed that he will make another inspection of the athletes’ village today, and admitted that the work that is currently being carried out should have been completed well ahead of the Games.

“The work that is being done now ought to have been done before, but we are concentrating on how to get things done so athletes can enjoy the best possible conditions when competing at the Commonwealth Games.

“We are very concerned that the effort and momentum of the work will continue and not just until the teams arrive, but throughout the Games.”

When asked if he felt that the CGF had been let down by India, Fennell said: “We are disappointed in a number of things.

“A lot of damage has been done to India, which is the largest Commonwealth country. We need to learn lessons for hosting other events as well. This is part of the learning process. I hope India would have learnt a lesson, we would have learnt a lesson.”

Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi suggested that the delay in some of the work was down to the late handover of some of the venues.

He said: “As far as the village is concerned. We have taken over the venues a little late and that is where the problems came.

“We have been working on this for the last few years and I am chairman of the OC and I will take responsibility, but I wish the venues were handed to us a little earlier.”

Coca Cola partners with Delhi for CWG culture gala

Celebrating the spirit of Commonwealth Games 2010, Coca-Cola India Friday announced its partnership with the Delhi Tourism in  jointly organising one of the country's biggest ever cultural extravaganza - "Delhi Celebrates".

The partnership was formalised through an agreement between Rina Ray, managing director of Delhi Tourism and principal secretary (culture) of the Delhi Government and Akeel Mohammed, vice president of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited in the presence of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

This cultural fiesta will showcase India's rich and diverse culture of music, dance, art, theatre and culinary expertise.

An extensive campaign for "Delhi Celebrates" will begin in seven cities in Delhi and attract Delhiites to the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking at the occasion, Dikshit said, "The Commonwealth Games 2010 is one of the biggest sporting events to be organised in India. 'Delhi Celebrates' is the perfect platform for us to showcase our cultural history to more than 7,000 athletes and delegates and thousands of tourists from different parts of the world. I urge the citizens of Delhi to come out and join the celebrations in support of the Commonwealth Games which symbolises the triumph of sportsman spirit over everything else."

The Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games will be India's biggest sporting event after the 1982 Asian Games.

Fennell: All should share the blame

CGF President Mike Fennell on Saturday said that everyone in the CWG management has to share the blame for the lack of preparations.

Addressing a press conference a day after visiting the Games Village, Fennell said "considerable work has been done but still some more remains to be done."

But despite the controversy-marred build-up, Fennell asserted that calling off the Games "was never" on Commonwealth Games Federation's (CGF) agenda.

However, Fennell conceded that a lot of damage has been done to India's image. Flanked by embattled Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, Fennell said both India and the Commonwealth can learn a lesson from the shortcomings in organising the 19th edition of the Games scheduled October 3 to 14.

"The massive work that is being done now ought to have been done earlier," said Fennell.

"We all have to share the blame and responsibility. In any Games, there are a number of stakeholders, overall we have to ensure that we do everything to conduct the Games.

"Other Games have had problems and I believe that here also the problems would be sorted. A number of issues should have been and could have been avoided and that necessary corrective steps should be taken in good time," he added.

"We are going to have good Games," he insisted.

"A lot of damage has been done to India, which is the largest Commonwealth country. We need to learn lessons for hosting other events as well. This is part of the learning process. I hope India would have learnt a lesson, we would have learnt a lesson," he said.

Asked whether he felt let down by India, which won the hosting rights way back in 2003 but is in a desperate race against time to finish off the work, Fennell said, "We are disappointed in a number of things."

But the CGF boss said the time for blame-game was over and the focus should now be on conducting a safe and successful Games whatever be the scale of effort required.

"If we are committed to the same goal, we should not find faults and criticise each other because we all want that the Games are celebrated properly," he said.

His back against the wall, a defensive Kalmadi said he wished the venues had been handed to OC a little earlier.

"I am the chairman of Organising Committee and I will take all the responsibility but I wish venues were handed to us a little earlier," he said.

Both Kalmadi and Fennell had to face a barrage of uncomfortable questions on India's under-preparedness and the OC chief, in particular, came in for extensive grilling by both the Indian and international media.

Despite Fennell's assertion that there has to be collective responsibility for the current crisis, Kalmadi insisted that the CGF boss did not mean to blame the OC.

"I don't think he has pointed the finger at the Organising Committee. The developer has to hand the venues over to OC and then it is our responsibility. As far as the Games Village is concerned, 18 towers were handed to us and we completed the work on time. The rest 18 were handed over late and that is where the problem is," he explained.

"As far as the security goes, we have been having meetings for the last couple of years. The home ministry and Lt Governer have been taking constant meetings. We have had a CGF adviser who has come every second month.

"The international chefs de mission have also found the security to be fine. The Jama Masjid (shootout) incident is not related to the Games. These are minor issues, blown out of proportion," he said.

However, Kalmadi did admit that there were shortcomings in the preparations but assured that they would be rectified in the next couple of days.

"There were deficiencies and in another couple of days we will finish all the work. We have some issues in the Games Village but I think it is a fine Village. Only that some blocks have to be cleaned up. But all the infrastructure is good. The Games are going to be good. We are doing everything possible to your satisfaction.

"I can assure you that our aim is to host a good Games.

Our aim is to do as good as Melbourne," he said.

Speaking about the Village, which was dubbed "filthy and uninhabitable" by international delegates a few days ago, Fennell reiterated that considerable improvements have been made.

"Matters relating to transport, security and evacuation of buildings. The technology difficulties like wi-fi service.

Medical services and generally speaking all the matters that relate to living in the Village are being worked out.

"Following the action that has been taken by the government to ensure that the remedial work is done, I am very pleased to receive the news that the countries who were not convinced, have instructed their teams to travel to Delhi," he added.

Fennell said while the work continues at the residential blocks, the international zone has turned out be brilliant.

"On a happy note, the international zone has been completed and it is in very good condition and is an excellent international zone. The dining room and kitchen are excellent.

The food is good, we had a meal there and it was excellent," he said.

Both Kalmadi and Fennell had to face a barrage of uncomfortable questions on India's under-preparedness and the OC chief, in particular, came in for extensive grilling by both the Indian and international media.

Despite Fennell's assertion that there has to be collective responsibility for the current crisis, Kalmadi insisted that the CGF boss did not mean to blame the OC.

"I don't think he has pointed the finger at the Organising Committee. The developer has to hand the venues over to OC and then it is our responsibility. As far as the Games Village is concerned, 18 towers were handed to us and we completed the work on time. The rest 18 were handed over late and that is where the problem is," he explained.

"As far as the security goes, we have been having meetings for the last couple of years. The home ministry and Lt Governer have been taking constant meetings. We have had a CGF adviser who has come every second month.

"The international chefs de mission have also found the security to be fine. The Jama Masjid (shootout) incident is not related to the Games. These are minor issues, blown out of proportion," he said.

However, Kalmadi did admit that there were shortcomings in the preparations but assured that they would be rectified in the next couple of days.

"There were deficiencies and in another couple of days we will finish all the work. We have some issues in the Games Village but I think it is a fine Village. Only that some blocks have to be cleaned up. But all infrastructure is good. The Games are going to be good. We are doing everything possible to your satisfaction.

"I can assure you that our aim is to host a good Games.

Our aim is to do as good as Melbourne," he said.

Speaking about the Village, which was dubbed "filthy and uninhabitable" by international delegates a few days ago, Fennell reiterated that considerable improvements have been made.

Medical services and generally speaking all the matters that relate to living in the Village are being worked out.

"Following the action that has been taken by the government to ensure that the remedial work is done, I am very pleased to receive the news that the countries who were not convinced, have instructed their teams to travel to Delhi," he added.

Fennell said while the work continues at the residential blocks, the international zone has turned out be brilliant.

"On a happy note, the international zone has been completed and it is in very good condition and is an excellent international zone. The dining room and kitchen are excellent.

The food is good, we had a meal there and it was excellent," he said

Fennell lauded the international chefs de mission for cooperating in cleaning up the Village.

"All the chefs de mission have been very critical of the arrangements. But they have worked very hard and personally done some cleaning up work at the Village. This is a demonstration which is extremely positive. They are working extremely hard for their teams. They have shown solidarity with the CWG movement," Fennell said.

"The Organising Committee and the government departments have responded to the needs very well," he added.

Fennell said the CGF would be monitoring the progress of the preparations closely including security concerns and safety norms at the Village and at the venues.

"What is of great concern is the security of athletes and officials who would be at the Games Village. The fire systems and the alarm systems have to be in place. We are monitoring the situation carefully.

On whether the CGF has woken up late to Delhi's problems, Fennell said he has been pointing out issue all along.

"When I came here in August, I spoke about the cleaning up that was required and that there were a lot of debris and mess that needed to be cleaned. The OC is responsible for it and they rely on developers to handle that. The OC did not develop the venues, they were handed over the venues" he said.

"The CGF entrusts the organisation of the Games on OC.

That OC depends on agencies to build the venues. Those venues are handed over to OC during the Games. The responsibility lies with both the parties," he said.

Asked whether the venues and Games Village have the requisite safety certificates from government agencies, Fennell said, "To our best knowledge, the buildings are all certified."

The first batch of English athletes have landed here and they have based themselves in hotels instead of the Games Village, Fennell assured that they would soon be moving in to the Village.

"As soon as the apartments are clean and secure, they will move in. And this has been agreed that they will move in a phased manner. I am very happy that we are recording that there would be full participation in the Games," he said.

"The teams were very concerned about the well-being of their athletes. When we thought that we were not going at the right pace, I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary. While it was very sad that some of this work had not been done before but efforts are on," he added.

Asked about the pullouts that have dogged the Games, Fennell said not all of them can be linked to security and health fears.

"Some of them have happened but there have been reasons and some of them have got nothing to do with Delhi. Some of them said it's October, they have to go to school, some were injured and son on," he said.