Rugby ground in top shape; venue getting finishing touches

NEW DELHI - The field of play at the main rugby stadium for the Commonwealth Games has been termed world-class by experts but with just seven days to go for the mega event, the venue at the Delhi University (DU) is still being given its finishing touches.

A large amount of rubble can be seen all over the stadium in what is otherwise a state-of-the art facility.

The electronic scoreboard on the rugby field is not functional due to shortage of direct power supply required to check the equipment.

Of the 111 CCTV cameras installed across the venue, only 66 are working.

The fencing and the flooring work near the ground is still not complete and is creating hurdles for the security personnel there.

While the lighting at the rugby pitch is functional, the fixing of brand new lights at entry and exit areas is still goin on.

Shashi Shekhar, the special government officer assigned to oversee the venue, said the pending work will be completed by Monday.

“We all know rains slowed down the progress of work in all the Games’ venues. The work here is more or less complete,” Shekhar told IANS.

The rugby event is scheduled to take place from Oct 11-12 and 16 teams will compete for three medals.

The six practice grounds are also in the university area.

Shekhar said the New Zealand rugby officials during their visit to the stadium described the facilities as good as they have in their country.

“The Kiwi officials visited the venue two days ago. They liked the facilities and said it matched their standards. Coming from a top rugby nation like New Zealand, I would take it as a compliment on behalf of the entire team,” Shekhar said.

The ‘Hybrid Bermuda Princesses 77′ grass seeds imported from the US have been used for the rugby pitch. The speciality of the grass is its durablity compared to the local grass, and if damaged it can be re-grown in a matter of hours.

“It is expensive and high-quality grass. The normal grass turns brown during winter but Hybrid Bermuda stays green,” V. Gopinath of Green Springs and the caretaker of the field of play, told IANS.

The contractors at the venue said it will take another five days to complete the work at the venue.

“The work inside the venue is complete. The rainwater still needs to be cleared. The parking lot is a dumping ground for the rubble brought from the nearby training venues. It will take another five days at least to clean all the mess,” said a police officer.

Apart from hosting the rugby event, the DU stadium will serve as a practice venue for the netball players.

India, as the hosts, have received a wildcard for the competition.

–Indo–Asian News Service