Commonwealth countries wish India luck for CWG

The Commonwealth countries have expressed confidence that the Commonwealth Games, which kick start from October 3 in India will be a success.

 "We wish India and the Games Federation all possible success and our support," Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General said, adding, "They will go ahead. They will honour the athletes who have invested so much energy into their participation."
 Sharma was speaking at a reception hosted by the by Kamla Persad- Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Commonwealth Chair, which was held in New York yesterday.

 "For thousands of athletes , the Commonwealth Games are an inspiration and an aspiration," Sharma said, noting that the Games had set a standard friendship that have earned them the label of "Friendly Games."

 "And they will be a celebration of the diversity and opportunity on which the Commonwealth is founded," he added. Meanwhile, 1100 athletes, officials and technical staff from different nations arrived in New Delhi yesterday.

 After being slammed by the India and foreign media about the deplorable arrangements from filthy rooms to lack of security, the CWG organisers indicated that situation seemed to be coming under control.

 "Work has progressed far enough now and we're ready to start moving in to the Village," said Scott Stevenson, Director of Sport, Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC).  "All the necessary maintenance and cleaning of rooms have been done to accommodate our team and additional support staff," Stevenson said.

The largest contingent to arrive  was a 112-member delegation from Kenya, followed by Nigeria (69), and 60 members from Scotland, a release from the Organising Committee (OC) said.

Canada, Tanzania, Lesotho, Norfolk Island, Rwanda, Wales, England, Isle of Man, Jersey, Bermuda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and British Virgin Islands were among other arrivals.

Stevenson also confirmed that emergency equipment and safety procedures have been verified and tested. "Crews have been successful in reducing the amount of stagnant water around the residential towers. Things are starting to look good," he said.
In New York, Sharma noted that 71 countries were scheduled to attend. "So my own sense of optimism, commitment and enthusiasm for this Commonwealth event is clearly shared," he said.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and India's envoy to the UN, Hardeep Singh Puri, also attended the Commonwealth reception yesterday.