March 11 - New Delhi has been warned that it still has a lot of work to do to make the city ready to host the Commonwealth Games later this year, including finishing the venue that they plan to use for the Opening and Closing Ceremony.


Mike Fennell, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), expressed particular concern over the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which is due to be the centrepiece of the two ceremonies which are expected to be among the highlights of the Games.

It is also due to stage the athletics.

Fennell said: "Work at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium should have been more advanced by now."

Fennell, who is visiting the Indian capital along with the Chef de Missions of the 71 countries due to compete in the Games, which open on October 3, also admitted he was worried about the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, which is the venue for the swimming, which will probably be the most high-profile sport internationally as several Olympic and world champions, including England's Rebecca Adlington, are due to compete.

He said: "The construction of venues is not with the Organising Committee but with other agencies.

"We have interacted with them and they have ensured us work will be completed in time.

"A lot remains to be done and we are not going to let up. We are going to assist the Organising Committee in delivering what has been assured."

Fennell also claimed that the facilities that are now being used are still not fully complete, including the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium, which is currently hosting the hockey World Cup.

He said: "A lot of construction is going on and work on the hockey stadium is finished, so the World Cup could be held there.

"But while it’s a fine venue, fixtures and other facilities are yet to be done."

Fennell, though, claimed that most of the representatives visiting New Delhi had been reassured by security.

He said: "Security is high on the agenda and a major concern but I'm pleased with the progress and all participants can be at peace regarding security arrangements."


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