The two prominent Commonwealth nations confirmed they would take part in the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games after they received assurances over the quality of the athletes’ accommodation.

Scotland had earlier described the Village as "unfit for human habitation" but an urgent clean-up of the complex spearheaded by Delhi’s Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has dramatically improved the situation.

Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: "I am delighted that the board has been able to confirm our intention to fly to the Games on Saturday as hoped.

"There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead in Delhi, but we are confident that these can be effectively managed by our team management, who have done a fantastic job over the last week to ensure we could get to this position and we thank them for their unstinting efforts.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our athletes who have remained calm throughout these extremely difficult few days and continued to pledge their commitment to the team."

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) board gave its nod for the planned departures to Delhi next Tuesday (September 28) after being briefed by NZOC President Mike Stanley and secretary general Barry Maister, who were in Delhi to take stock of the situation.

A blow for New Zealand did come as cycling star Greg Henderson (pictured) announced he will not compete at the Commonwealth Games in a move that followed the withdrawals of his Team Sky teammates Peter Kennaugh, Geraint Thomas, Ben Swift and Ian Stannard.

Like the four Britons, Henderson cited health and security fears for the decision but despite the boycott, Delhi appears to be getting back on track.

Members of England’s men’s hockey and lawn bowls teams arrived in Delhi today, where they will stay in hotels before moving to the Village on Monday (September 27), in a boost for the Games although England Chef de Mission Craig Hunter stated that there is still a lot more that needs to be done to make the Village safe and ready for the athletes to move in.

He said: "It was a boost to see the early group of athletes arrive today and on-schedule.

"In the Village, the level of activity continues to pick up and we are in a phase of looking at the detail, making sure that fire and safety equipment and procedures are in place and that the apartments are clean and safe.

"Our next wave of athletes arrives Sunday (September 26) and a lot still needs to happen before then.

"So more and swift action is required.

There was a further boost for Delhi as Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief Perry Crosswhite said his country was happy with the Village and the Games despite the scathing attack launched on event by Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates who just hours earlier had said Delhi should never have been awarded the event.

Crosswhite said: "We are quite happy with the Village and we are looking forward to the Games.

"The Australian contingent is coming."

Lalit Bhanot, the secretary general of the Delhi organising committee, added that he was confident the accommodation would meet the requirements.

He said: "The Government along with the organising committee have made all efforts to get the place up to the standard that is desirable.

"Everything is fine.

"We have seen the work that has gone on in the past few days and you will see that the standard will be brought to the desired level."

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