By Tom Degun in London

June 11 - New Delhi will stage a successful Commonwealth Games although they still have a lot to do before the Opening Ceremony on October 3, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Mike Fennell (pictured right) has predicted.



Fennell was in London this week to hear a detailed presentation on arrangements for the Games from the Delhi 2010 organisers.

While he admitted that there is still a large amount of work to be done ahead of the Games start in less than six months, he reaffirmed his confidence that the competition will be delivered to an extremely high standard. 

Fennell told insidethegames: "To make everything clear, there is still a lot of work to be done and although the clock is ticking, there is still time for everything to be done.

"We are monitoring the situation very carefully and the organisers continue to make considerable progress on a daily basis.

"We are delighted with the work being put in by everybody to get things done and although there are many more things that need to be in place before the Games begin, I am confident that on October 3, the world will witness a truly spectacular Opening Ceremony.

"I cannot divulge details of the Opening Ceremony but what I can say is that it will be truly outstanding."

One of the ongoing concerns over the Games regards the security around them.

There have been profile attacks in the country in recent years with bombings in Mumbai in November 2008 killing 173 people and explosions in Bangalore in April 2010 during the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Fennell however, stressed the amount of effort that organisers have put in to ensure tight security at the Games amid fears over potential terrorist attacks.

He said: "Security is always a concern at any major sporting competition in the world but I have been very impressed by the  arrangements that will be in place at the Games.

"The security arrangements are informed by those incidents that have happened in the past and it is very clear that everything that can possibly be done to ensure a secure environment at the Games will be done.

"I do not think that any athlete or spectator should miss the Games over security fears."

Fennell though, did concede that with the Games being staged in October, athletes may well miss competing at them due to a busy schedule.

Britain's top gymnasts, including world champion Beth Tweddle, have already been forced to withdraw because the event clashes with the World Championships.

Jessica Ennis, Britain's world heptathlon champion, has also decided not to compete while doubts remain over whether Fennell's fellow Jamaican, the triple Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt (pictured), will take part.

Fennell said: "The Games are being staged in October due to the extreme heat in the country during the summer months.

"Our primary concern is the health and well being of the competitors and October provides the best conditions for the majority of them to compete in.

"However, in modern times, many athletes operate with an extremely crowded calendar and although the Commonwealth Games are an important event for many of them, we must respect their schedules as it is impossible for athletes to compete all year round."

Fennell added that organisers are making a special effort to ensure that the athletes’ experience of the Games is particularly enjoyable and memorable.

He said: "The Commonwealth Games are titled, ‘The Friendly Games’ and everyone in attendance should experience that.

"The New Delhi organisers have spent a large amount of time making sure that the athletes are very comfortable and that they, as well as the spectators, have a particularly enjoyable time in New Delhi."

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