Dikshit,Kalmadi assure successful Games

Reacting to Fennell’s outburst,Dikshit said she would use every means at her disposal to make it a success,while Kalmadi announced that he would facilitate the CGF chief’s meeting with the Prime Minister. Exuding confidence that everything would fall in place,Dikshit said the Delhi Government would complete all work “well in time” although it was little “nervous” about the preparation.

“We are satisfied as well nervous about the preparation for the prestigious event,” Dikshit said. “He (Fennel) met me one month ago and conveyed his concern about the power situation. I told him that the city will have adequate power during the event,” Dikshit said after a Cabinet meeting which is understood to have discussed the issue.

On the recent criticism by the CAG about slow progress of the infrastructure projects,Dikshit said the audit body had prepared the report last month based on status of works six months back.

“They have the right to criticise. But we are working very hard. We are looking at all alternatives. Nation’s pride is involved with the event and we will do everything possible to make it a success,” she said.

Kalmadi,on his part,said he would arrange Fennell’s meeting with the Prime Minister so that the CGF chief “does not have doubts in his mind”.

“Most of the issues have been addressed and I will be happy to take Mr Fennell to the PM and discuss all the issues whatever he has. He should not have any doubt in mind,” Kalmadi said.

“I am happy to say that the PM,the Government of India,Sports Minister M S Gill and Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit are all supporting the Games. There should not be any doubt that all the venues will be ready in time. All the infrastructure will be ready in the dates promised,that is in December and February next year,” he said.

On the issue of the organisers’ “reluctance to recruit experience from overseas” raised by Fennell,Kalmadi said he was for using a “judicious mix” of Indian and foreign professionals.

“We have a number of competent Indian professionals who have vast experience in conducting world class events like the Badminton World Championships in Hyderabad and the Afro-Asian Games. So we want to have a judicious mix of Indian and foreign professionals,” Kalmadi said.

“Just to keep saying that we should take help from international professionals might not be correct as it will cost us a lot. But we are intent to use the expertise of both Indian and foreign professionals as we are holding an event of such scale after 27 years,” he said.

Kalmadi also promised to provide foolproof security to the athletes and officials during the Games and said this aspect will be discussed threadbare at a conference of security commanders of Commonwealth countries on September 23-24 here.

“As far as security is concerned the Home Secretary has had meetings with all the foreign missions and has addressed most of the things adequately. We have also called a Commonwealth Commanders’ conference on September 23 and 24 here. We will discuss all the aspects of security to the satisfaction of all the CWG Organising Committee and the CGF President,” he said.