CWG preparation: Indians in New Zealand appalled
By IANSWednesday, September 22, 2010
AUCKLAND - Indians settled in New Zealand say they are appalled at the lack of preparedness for the Commonwealth Games to begin in New Delhi Oct 3. An Indian Association official Wednesday said: “I realise it is an embarrassment, but I feel the organisers should have been aware of these things much earlier”.
Indian Association president Paul Singh Bains told New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) Wednesday that it was a shame New Delhi was not yet ready to host the Games that begin Oct 3.
“It is appalling that the (organising) committee is so ill-prepared for the Games and the shocking state of the Games venue where athletes are supposed to stay is something that committee should have been prepared for.
“India had years to prepare for the Games and yet waited until the last minute to get things going,” Bains was quoted as saying.
Bains said that the Games should go ahead and New Zealand athletes should attend it, New Zealand Herald reported.
“It is entirely in the Indians’ hands and we hope they have it under control. I realise it is an embarrassment, but I feel the organisers of the Games should have been aware of these things much earlier.
“It is a shocking state of affairs, it makes a laughing stock of everyone. The committee should have been more responsible beforehand. It is letting the country and everybody down.”
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key Wednesday said that he would support any athlete who decides not to participate in the Commonwealth Games.
The prime minister said that it was up to the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) to decide whether or not to send a team.
“I would love to see the Games go ahead, but if they are to go ahead, from New Zealand’s perspective, the conditions have to be safe and sound for our people,” stuff.co.nz quoted Key as saying.
Some 7,000 participants and officials from 71 countries and territories are expected to attend the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games, India’s biggest sporting event after the 1982 Asian Games it hosted in New Delhi.
