‘But the situation has improved’

Four days after sending off a missive to the Cabinet Secretary terming the Games Village ‘unlivable’,Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell did a turn-around on Friday,claiming that that there have been ‘considerable improvements’ in the Games Village. This change in opinion coincides with the arrival of 47 sportspersons of the England hockey and lawn bowl teams as the first overseas contingent.

Fennell,who arrived here on Thursday night,said: “I am certainly pleased to arrive in Delhi to the news that Australia has moved into the Village,and with the confirmation late on Thursday that England and Wales will be on their way to Delhi shortly. Many athletes from around the Commonwealth have already started on their journey to Delhi,” he said in a statement.

Fennel had visited the Games Village on Friday morning,along with Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper. “Considerable improvements have been made,with further significant resources deployed by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit,to make good what was a concerning situation,” he said.