CWG 2010 preparations in jeopardy; Sheila Dixit ‘nervous’

Zeenews Bureau New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit is visibly nervous about delays in the preparation for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. This came after Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennel sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s intervention to put things in order. “I am satisfied, but nervous,” she told reporters on being asked about the preparations for the CWG 2010. It was learnt by Zee News that a majority of the work for the mega-event is still pending. The state of the affairs has led to CM Sheila Dixit’s uneasiness even as she tried to downplay the CGF report, saying that it was based on data which was more than a month old, adding that much ground had been covered since then. Despite all the heavy claims, it can be safely said that the work is way behind schedule as most of the host cities are usually finish with the projects almost a year in advance, whereas India is struggling to complete half a portion. With barely a year to go for the October 3-14 event, Fennell shot a letter to the Organising Committee of Delhi Games, saying he had asked Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi to arrange next month a meeting with the Prime Minister."With only a year to run until the Games, I feel I must personally brief the Prime Minister of India on the lack of preparations and to seek his input in developing an appropriate recovery plan," wrote a furious Fennell. "As you know, I have asked the Chairman of the Organising Committee to facilitate such a meeting on my return to Delhi in early October for our General Assembly," he said. "I am looking forward to some urgent actions in order to bring about the successful celebration of the Games in 2010," Fennell wrote. Fennells` fear was substantiated by a CGF Coordination Commission report which predicted partial failure of the Games. "Given it is 27 years since India hosted an international multi-sport event, why is there such a reluctance to recruit experience from overseas?" the report said. The Commission said if CGF did not intervene, the Games was bound to see partial failure. "The Coordination Commission is of the view that Games` failure in part is now likely should the CGF not intervene... It is reasonable to further conclude that the current situation poses a serious risk to the Commonwealth Games in 2010, the Commonwealth Games brand and the image of the CGF," the report had said. "The Commonwealth Games Federation is extremely worried about the Organising Committee`s ability to deliver the Games to any comparable standard to that of the last two editions of the Games in Manchester and Melbourne," it added. "Our concerns are such that unless there is significant change in the management culture and operation of the Organising Committee these Games will fail from an operational perspective," it added. "The procurement processes within the Committee are stagnant and lack of empowerment of functional area management is retarding progress. Report of our Coordination Commission highlights a range of areas that need addressing... The only way to address matters going forward is to openly share information and concerns both amongst ourselves as Board Members and with our key stakeholders," the letter said. Earlier, the Comptroller and Auditor General, which early this month submitted an evaluation report to the Prime Minister`s Office and the sports ministry, has observed that in at least 13 of the 19 sporting venues, the work shortfall is between 25% and 50%. This means all these projects would either miss the deadline or compromise on quality in the haste to finish on time.