M A I N   N E W S

Manmohan pulls up Commonwealth bosses
Tribune News Service

Glitches Galore After Canada, Scotland, NZ delays departure Two Canadian archers pull out citing health, security fears Oz to send its top cops to provide security to athletes Kalmadi says security in place, no team will pull out now

New Delhi, September 23
In a last-ditch effort to retrieve India’s prestige and esteem in organising the Commonwealth Games, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked the parties concerned to pull up their socks and get going.

Following reports of unclean toilets in the Games Village and collapse of a footbridge near the main venue, the Prime Minister summoned Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy, Sports Minister MS Gill, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna, Chief Minister Sheila Dixit, National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon, Cabinet and Secretary KM Chandrashekhar, who had recently been deputed to oversee the preparations, to seek progress report, said sources.

Sources said there was concern in the government over some international delegates describing the Games Village as “filthy and uninhabitable.” Simultaneously, the Organising Committee has also been charged with corruption and inefficiency. “The Prime Minister cannot be indifferent to the situation in the face of so many and so frequent adverse reports,” said sources.

More nations delayed departure for the Games as organisers raced against time to address security and health concerns.

The first multi-sport international event being held in India since the 1982 Asian Games threatens to become a national embarrassment with several top athletes already pulling out — two Canadian archers, Kevin Tataryn and Dietmar Trillus, pulled out today citing health and safety concerns --- and some more adopting a wait-and-watch policy before taking a final call.

The Games Village saw the first batch of Indian athletes moving in while their international counterparts are expected to so tomorrow.

Amid the chaos, Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell also checked in to take stock of the preparations and even sought a meeting with the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, New Zealand became the third major nation after Canada and Scotland to delay its arrival in Delhi. New Zealand’s contingent might base itself in Singapore till the Athletes’ Village is made fully ready for the teams to move in.

New Zealand Olympic Committee said the travel plans of the team have been altered as there is a “long list of outstanding issues” . “…the Village will now not be ready for New Zealand athletes to move in as planned. It is tremendously disappointing. We know how hard this must be for athletes and we're continuing to push...for an urgent resolution,” NZOC president Mike Stanley said.

Despite being committed to participation in Delhi, Australia issued a fresh travel advisory for its athletes. Prime Minister Julia Gillard said athletes should decide for themselves whether or not to attend. With mounting fears of safety, Australia will also send a team of top cops to New Delhi to provide high-level security to its athletes. According to reports, 15 Australian Federal Police officers will provide a high-level security cordon in Delhi.

OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi today surfaced after lying low for two days and claimed that “everything will be ready by today”.

He said no team would pull out from the Games and no one should be worried about the security. “I can assure you that security is well in place. Now if some people have their own conception (of security), I can't help,” he told reporters.

In a sign of desperation, the Delhi government has ordered the Organising Committee to hand over management of the Games Village, which will house 6,500 athletes, to it. (With inputs from agencies)