Fennell notes progress in Commonwealth Games preparation
DELHI, India (CMC) — Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Jamaican Michael Fennell has confirmed that the draft report of the CGF Coordination Commission has pointed to real progress in the organisation of the 2010 Delhi Games.
Speaking at a media conference in Delhi following his attendance at a Board meeting of the Organising committee, Jamaican Fennell noted the Commission’s advice that its December visit was its best to date, citing significant progress with operational planning within the Organising Committee since the CGF’s General Assembly.
A CGF press released Saturday said Fennell also noted the ongoing commitment of the management and staff of the Organising Committee to address the concerns previously raised.
“Once again I would like to commend and thank the Government of India on their unequivocal support for the Games including the recent approvals of the revised budgets.
“While I note improvement in operational areas, the Organising Committee and its partners must maintain the momentum that they have now gained across all functional areas,” Fennell said.
However, on the issue of venue construction, Fennell expressed great disappointment at the CoCom’s report on the delayed delivery of the venues, and in particular, how the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the SP Mukherjee Swimming Complex were so far behind schedule.
“We have continuously received assurances on the delivery timelines for these projects, and to now hear that there are further delays is distressing,” Fennell said.
“These delays will have an impact upon the Organising Committee’s operational planning, particularly in relation to the conduct of test events and overlay installation,” he added.
“There can be no further delays and I was pleased to receive directly from the sports minister Dr Gill, his assurance today, that the venues will not encounter any further delays,” said Fennell, who is longstanding president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA).