But he strongly defended the CGF against claims that they have been involved in any impropriety. 

Fennell's latest trip to inspect preparations for the Games, which are due to be opened by Prince Charles on October 3, have been overshadowed by the allegations of corruption.

The claims have led to two state-run firms withdrawing their sponsorship of the Games due to "negative publicity".

India's largest power company NTPC Ltd has decided to scrap its $11 million (£7 million) sponsorship and is seeking an audit of the $5 million (£3.2 million) it has already paid.

"Our Board has decided not to go ahead with the sponsorship because of the negative publicity," NTPC chairman and managing director R.S Sharma said.

State-run transmission utility Power Grid Corp of India has also decided to back out of its $2 million (£1.2 million) commitment to the Games, its Chairman S.K Chaturvedi said.

A Government anti-corruption agency has identified 16 Games projects where large-scale irregularities are suspected while the state audit agency questioned the process followed in engaging some of the foreign consultants, including British firm Fast Track and Australian company Sports Marketing and Management.

Both companies deny any allegations of impropriety and have been strongly defended by the CGF.

With the event threatening to become a national embarrassment and tarnishing the image of the ruling Congress party, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has ordered probes into the corruption charges.

Fennell said: "Recently there has been a lot of reporting of alleged corruption, and this is of great concern to us at the Federation and all involved.

"We have made it very clear that the Indian authorities need to investigate all such claims and, where appropriate, bring down the full force of the Indian law."

But Fennell denied that the CGF had been complicit is any wrong-doing.

The Jamaican said: "The CGF also refutes any claim of impropriety.

"The CGF is an organisation of the highest standards and we do not condone corruptive practices ever."

The concerns over corruption have emerged just as the CGF have begun to finally feel reassured that the venues will be ready in time for the Games.

Fennell (pictured centre) said: "Along with our CEO, Mike Hooper, I visited every one of the 17 competition venues for our 17 sports.

"I was impressed with the significant progress made since my last visit at the end of June, and I am confident that these will be ready for the Games."

Fennell warned organisers, though, that they must not relax as some significant work still needs to be undertaken.

He said: "All venues are in practical terms complete, but there still remains a large amount of finishing works, including the cleaning and landscaping of the site to enable them to be presented at their best.

"These works must be done with great urgency.

"The image of the Games and image of the stakeholders will be determined by the appearance of the venues.

"Once finalised, these venues will be truly outstanding and world class, providing a rich legacy for sport in India."

The biggest concern to the CGF remains the Athletes Village, Fennell admitted, even though it has been lauded as potentially the best ever by Olympic gold medallists like Dame Kelly Holmes and Sir Steven Redgrave.

He said: "The Village is the heartbeat of the Games and is of primary importance to the CGF.

"The residential zone is currently undergoing final remedial work and the installation of furniture, and the site still requires the removal of debris and landscaping.

"Some areas in the Village are behind schedule.

"There is a large amount of work to be done in the international zone, particularly in the dining and kitchen areas.

"We have been given assurances that these will be completed by September 16 for the soft opening of the Village.

"When finished, the village will surpass any previous Village in the history of the Games."

Fennell left the Indian capital urging the Government and officials there to remain focused.

He said: "There is a tremendous amount of finishing work that still needs to be done.

"Great focus is required across the coming weeks so we can celebrate the 19th Commonwealth Games in good style."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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