Kalmadi used the occasion of the launch of the Games official song - "Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto", which has been composed by A.R Rahman - to try to regain the trust of the Indian people, whose enthusiasm for the Games have been dented by the welter of stories about the race to get facilities ready in time and allegations of contracts being awarded illegally.

"It is going to be the best infrastructure in the world," said Kalmadi, who is also the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

"It is going to have the best games; better than the Beijing Olympics.

"We promised that we will give you great Games and we have to live up to that promise.

"Let there be no doubt about it.

"Everybody is working like a team - Team India."

Sheila Dikshit, the Delhi Chief Minister, backed Kalmadi's claims.

"Delhi, with India behind it, will achieve what many thought impossible," she said.

"We shall conduct the best-ever Commonwealth Games.
 
"Let’s swing with this tune and swing into the Games."

Dikshit also had encouraging words for Kalmadi as the final countdown begins to the opening of the Games on October 3.

"I know you have had troubles, but I believe if there are problems in the beginning, the end is always good," she said.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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