Fennell had ordered the setting-up of the TRC in October after he had slammed the organisers for their slow progress amid international fears that the Indian capital would not be ready in time for the Games, which are due to open on October 3, 2010.

It had led to a bitter rift with Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the Delhi organising committee, who had demanded that Mike Hooper, the chief executive of the CGF, be sacked.

Fennell said: "While I note improvement in operational areas, the organising committee and its partners must maintain the momentum that they have now gained across all functional areas."

But Fennell remained critical that the timetable for the construction of the venues had again slipped.

He said: "We have continuously received assurances on the delivery time-lines for these projects, and to now hear that there are further delays is distressing.

"These delays will have an impact upon the organising committee's operational planning, particularly in relation to the conduct of test events and overlay installation.

"There can be no further delays and I was pleased to receive directly from the Sports Minister Dr. [M.S] Gill, his assurance today, that the venues will not encounter any further delays."

Nevertheless the decision to scrap the TRC, which would have visited Delhi monthly in the build-up to the Games, will be seen as a sign that Fennell has regained some confidence that local officials will be able to deliver a successful Games, although much of what had been planned by the TRC will still be delivered by the CGF in other ways.

Fennell said: "With the backdrop of the Coordination Commission's draft report and the positive progress made in operational planning Mr. Kalmadi and I have agreed today an alternative approach to our ongoing interaction and monitoring work.

"In October I announced that the CGF would be instituting in January a Technical Review Committee (TRC) that would visit monthly.

"However, in view of the current improved status, we have agreed it is now more appropriate for the CGF to provide additional on-going support to the organising committee through its existing Commonwealth Games Knowledge Management Programme.

"This approach will provide the organising committee with constant access to specific expertise in areas where both the CGF and the organising committee agree additional support is required.

"The CGF will, through the expansion of its support programme, assist the organising committee and its delivery partners to maintain the necessary momentum.

"When I announced the formation of the TRC just over two months ago, I noted that this group would monitor 'progress against promise'.

"I also said that this group would be empowered to 'call in other technical experts as required'.

"So the first part of this, the monitoring will now be delivered in two ways.

"Firstly it will be through the work of our now expanded Coordination Commission, which as scheduled will visit Delhi on two further occasions ahead of the Games.

"Secondly, it will be through the ongoing work with the organising committee of our CEO, Mr. Michael Hooper, who is predominately based in Delhi.

"The second aspect which was to come under the TRC - assisting the organising committee through access to functional area Games expertise in specific areas - will now be provided through the expansion of our existing support programme with the organising committee.

"The costs associated with providing the organising committee with access to such support will be met by the CGF.

"Mr. Kalmadi and I have agreed today that, in the short term, we will look to support the organising committee through this programme in three key areas.

"Firstly, venue operations and, in particular, the process associated with functional area integration at Games time.

"Secondly, the volunteer programme and, in particular, assistance with the development of the planning associated with functional area training of the much needed 30,000 volunteers for the Games.

"Thirdly, Games readiness, being the successful demonstration of key capabilities and performance indicators [readiness] necessary to meet Delhi 2010's operational requirements.

"We will provide the organising committee with access to appropriate expertise to assist them with these three key areas.

"These are simply initial areas we have identified, and as preparations for the Games progress, we will continue to work with Mr. Kalmadi and his team to identify other areas where assistance may be required.

"I thank all involved for their work over the past few months.

"We are now closer to where we need to be. I'm sure, together; we can make these Games a success."

There was a further boost for the Indian organisers when Perry Crosswhite, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) who is a member of the CGF Coordination Commission that has been visiting Delhi this week, claimed that the city had made strong progress recently and could surpass the Games held in Manchester in 2002 and Melbourne in 2006.

He said: "The jury is still out but given the rapid progress that the organisers are making, the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi have the potential to be the best Games ever.

"We have had concerns on occasions this year in regards to the organising committee's ability to meet deadlines and requirements.

"However as 2009 draws to a close I am buoyed by the progress shown in the last couple of months."

Crosswhite said a number of specialists have been added to the local organising committee which had helped preparations, as had a more hands-on approach from the Indian Government.

He said: "After meeting with the CGF in October, organisers have appointed a number of international experts.

"They all have significant experience in major Games such as the Sydney Olympics and Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

"It's also pleasing to see that the Indian Government has become more involved.

"They fully understand that the Games need to be a success for their country, their people and their standing on the international stage."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]  


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