DELHI, India (CMC) – Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell has described the next 24 hours as “crucial”, as organisers continue their race against time to rescue the 19th Commonwealth Games from embarrassment. The Games, scheduled to start in nine days, have been plagued by construction, health and security issues, sparking widespread concern and casting a huge shadow of over their success.
Fennell, who arrived late Thursday, spent all day Friday in briefings with staff and top officials including India’s Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar, and also toured the problem-plagued Athletes’ Village.
He said while there had been improvements to conditions, plenty work still needed to be done and thanked team officials who had arrived early for putting up with “undue hardship”.
“I am pleased to report that since my media statement of September 21 there has been significant progress in preparing the Village …,” Fennell said yesterday.
“However, there is still much to be done, and the next 24 hours will be crucial. It is fair to say that there have been many challenges for those countries that arrived in Delhi early, as the Village was not completely ready for use.
“This was a most unfortunate, indeed unsatisfactory, situation and the Chef de Missions of those teams, along with their staff, have experienced undue hardship, and I thank them for their commitment to making the Village, and the Games, work.”
The Jamaican said that the Athletes Village was now a hive of activity as cleaners and maintenance staff worked feverishly to prepare the facilities for the October 4-14 showpiece.
Earlier this week, conditions in the village were described as “filthy” and in no condition to be used. Toilets were not working, living areas were dirty, there was no electricity and security remained a serious issue.
A footbridge leading from the parking lot to the main venue, the Nehru Stadium, also collapsed on Tuesday injuring 23 workers.
Fennell said he had conveyed the gravity of the situation to the government officials with whom he had met.
“I outlined to them that some of the key concerns of the CGF and our member countries remain such as clarity on fire evacuation plans, the installation of rate card items, transportation operations, and the communication infrastructure, particularly an effective WiFi system,” he explained.
“The CGF has emphasised that all countries must have a consistent standard of accommodation throughout the Village.
“We will continue to monitor progress and keep pressure on the Organising Committee and the other responsible parties looking to ensure that all problems are resolved.
“While we appreciate what has been done in the past few days, there is still a considerable amount of work to be done, which must be sustained throughout the Games.”