By IANS,
New Delhi : Sports Minster M.S. Gill and Indian Olympic Association (IOA)president Suresh Kalmadi Thursday were at pains to explain that construction work for the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games projects is on schedule and there is no threat to it.
Reacting to media reports that the infrastructure for the game is behind schedule, Gill said: “We are focussed to finish everything on time. Initially there was some delay in the starting of construction of some of the venues like cycling and shooting. But now work in going in full force and we are confident of hosting a successful Commonwealth Games.”
Gill also said that the centre has been fast in clearing the finances. “The Government is helping us in all possible ways in financial matters.”
Kalmadi, who is the chairman of the organising committee, also asserted that construction of the stadiums would be completed by March next year before the start of the test events.
“The Commonwealth Games is happening on time. We will provide world-class infrastructure. Most of it will be ready by the end of this year. Some of the construction work like cycling velodrome started late. But everything will be ready by March next year,” Kalmadi said at the launch of the Business Club India (BCI) website for the Commonwealth Games.
Kalmadi also said that they will have enough time to test the facilities as well.
“We will have enough time to test the facilities. International federations will be organising major events in 2010 before the Commonwealth Games,” Kalamdi said on the inauguration of Business Club of India (BCI) website.
CWG Organising Committee and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) launched the BCI website to develop business interest in India by developing sports related businesses — projecting India Inc. on the world stage.
“The portal will present India as an investment destination. We hope this initiative will go a long way in projecting India’s business image globally,” said Kalmadi.
Before the Commonwealth Games the BCI will host 11 road shows across eight countries during the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) for the Games.
The baton relay will commence from the Buckingham Palace in London, Nov 8, 2009, and it will reach India, June 25, 2010.
Union Ministers of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma and E. Ahamed, and former Ambassador to the US and ex-High Commissioner to the UK, Lalit Mansingh were among the other dignitaries present on the occasion.