Nine venues, tea breaks and a lunch

SIRI FORT COMPLEX: Received unanimous approval for its ‘‘excellent maintenance’’ from all the members even though one of them pointed out that the indoor badminton hall had thee major flaws: it needs air-conditioning, a bigger spectator gallery and change rooms. However, they were happy with the swimming pool — all for practice purposes and other facilities.

TALKATORA POOL: The SAI authorities had prepared themselves well for the occasion. A warm reception at the gate and even warmer welcome at the pool-side as the delegates entered the area. A big splash by a diver almost drenched an official. It’s another matter they didn’t mind it but it all looked ‘‘stage-managed’’ as some school kids were ‘‘participating’’ in some sort of a hurried meet organised for the purpose.

TALKATORA INDOOR STADIUM: The arena, where table tennis will be held, had a pre-set table surrounded by the Stag partitions. But the delegates had no complaint, nor could they refuse the snacks. All went okay and the delegates were ready to leave for the Maurya for lunch. It took some time before the driver of the mini-bus could be located and as he made the engine roar, a thick smoke engulfed and the radiator caught fire. The panic lasted for a while before someone shouted to the driver to extinguish the fire. Meanwhile, they were transported to the Maurya by reserve cars.

SHIVAJI STADIUM: The recently-laid astro-turf was all in its green and a fresh coat of paint could be smelt from a distant. The BEC members visited the change rooms and jotted down something for their reference.

AMBEDKAR STADIUM/KOTLA: The former is to host the rugby and the delegates checked with the authorities if the goal posts could be moved 15-feet on either side. The officials nodded in agreement but it would mean breaking and reshaping the stands. Kotla was already in shambles thanks to proposed construction and the delegates didn’t spend much time there.

IG STADIUM/ NATIONAL STADIUM: Its splendour and the architecture came in for some praise and, like in all the venues, the air-conditioning plant was working. Impressed with the imposing structure, the delegates nodded in approval.

Moving on to the oldest stadium of the city, the delegates visited the main arena and the turfs outside but they pointed out that more turfs were needed. They also checked whether floodlighting was possible and the officials said it was already on cards — for four years now.