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India's Readiness for Commonwealth Games a Concern

   VOA News 29 August 2010
   Indian  PM  Manmohan  Singh, right, during a visit to Jawaharlal Nehru
   Stadium,  the  main venue of the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi,
   India, 29 Aug 2010

Photo: AP

   Indian  PM Manmohan Singh, right, and Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill,
   center,  talk  as  Commonwealth  Games  Organizing  Committee Chairman
   Suresh  Kalmadi,  left,  looks  on  during a visit to Jawaharlal Nehru
   Stadium,  the  main venue of the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi,
   India, 29 Aug 2010

   Concerns  continue  to grow that India will not be completely ready to
   host the Commonwealth Games in October.

   Indian  Prime  Minister  Manmohan  Singh inspected venues in New Delhi
   Sunday  and urged organizers to overcome delays that threaten to spoil
   the event.

   Many  sports  facilities  have  yet to be completed 35 days before the
   Games  begin,  while  new  roads,  overpasses and metro lines are also
   behind schedule amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

   A  statement  from  Mr.  Singh's office urged authorities "to redouble
   their  efforts"  to  quickly  complete whatever works remain as people
   expect "a spectacular and flawless opening to the Commonwealth Games."

   One  of  his stops was Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where renovation work
   is  still  underway  to prepare for the opening and closing ceremonies
   and the athletics events.

   Some  70  nations, mainly from the former British empire, are expected
   to  take part in the 19th edition of the Games which run October 3-14.
   Athletes will compete in 260 events in 17 sports disciplines.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP.

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