It is the first sign that countries will not be willing to compete in the Games, which are due to open on October 3, unless assurances are provided that the athletes will be treated properly.

It is particularly embarrassing for India because Scotland is due to host the next Commonwealth Games, when they are held in Glasgow in 2014.

Michael Cavanagh, the chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, announced today that the Board had made the decision to delay the departure of Team Scotland’s first party of 41 athletes and staff, due to travel to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi tomorrow and  arriving on Friday (September 24).

This involves three sports, boxing, rugby sevens and wrestling.

The decision has been made on the back of concerns raised earlier this week, by Scotland's Chef de Mission, Jon Doig, that a significant part of the Athletes’ Village Residential Zone is far from finished and nowhere near an acceptable standard in terms of health, safety and hygiene, ready to cope with the imminent influx of 7,000 athletes and officials.

There are also a number of serious operational deficiencies, Scotland claimed.

Cavanagh said: "By delaying the arrival of our athletes by a few days, we hope to give the Delhi 2010 Organising Committee the necessary time to address the concerns that have been raised by both the Commonwealth Games Federation and the countries which arrived early.

"We have discussed this with the sports involved and are in agreement that this is the best course of action under the circumstances.

"Whilst this is an untimely alteration to their plans, it will ultimately cause less disruption to their final training and preparation than if they were to arrive in the Games Village which is not yet fit for purpose and fully functional."

Cavanagh insisted that they still planned to compete in the Games but that they were not prepared to put their athletes at risk.

He said: "Scotland is hugely committed to the Commonwealth Games.

"Our team on the ground will continue to monitor the situation however we will not compromise on areas of athlete health, safety and security.

"We need urgent action from the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Delhi Organising Committee to address these crucial issues."

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