Jury is out on 2010 Commonwealth Games preps

The tide is slowly turning and preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi seems to be on track. The final verdict on the preparations will come on Monday after a week of inspections by delegates from all 71 member countries as well as the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Mike Fennell.

Fennell has already toned don his criticism of the preparations, and Delhi it seems, has got the wake-up call loud and clear.

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Vice-Patron of the CGF, on Sunday got a first hand experience of the stadiums that will host the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He went to the historic Dhyan Chand National Stadium to have a look at one of the few venues that is on schedule. The stadium would host the Hockey World Cup in March and the Prince was briefed on its progress.

More endorsement also came from the CGF President, who had just recently criticised the slow pace of work.

"One of the comforting facts is the attention has been paid by the Government of India through Minister Gill (Union Sports Minister MS Gill) who has given an unqualified assurance that all the resources that are necessary to ensure successful Games in 2010 will be provided by the government," Fennell said.

The Commonwealth Games Federation Assembly will debate whether Delhi has passed the test for now. Delegates from all 71-member countries have been visiting all the venues over the last few days.

Some have made their opinions known but a final word is awaited even as the organising committee has been calling the visits a success.

Reports published last month suggested that CGF thinks that the games will be partial failure. But after that wakeup call, the organisers seem to have got their act together and are now working overtime to bring things back on track.