Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep.23 (ANI): A high-level meeting is being convened at Prime Minister’s residence to review the preparations ahead of the XIXth Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held between Oct. 3 to 14.

Being presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the meet that started at 7, Race Course Road, at around 7.30 p.m, is being attended by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Union Sports Minister M.S.Gill and Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy.

Union Home Secretary G.K.Pillai is also present in the ongoing meeting.

The meet is believed to have been called in the wake of mounting international criticism of India’s preparedness to hold the event.

It may be noted that CWG Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi is not present at the meet.

Earlier, it was reported that Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell was likely to meet Dr Manmohan Singh to press for his intervention to save the 2010 Games from possible collapse.

Earlier on Tuesday, CGF chief executive Mike Hooper had expressed disappointment over the ill preparedness of the 2010 Games Village, terming it as ‘filthy’.

He hoped the condition at the Village would improve in a couple of days.

“Things have started improving, but was not sufficient enough. We have met on a daily basis, my colleagues around the village, and myself, on a number of occasions, have met with the organizing committee,” said Hooper.

“We have emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of the condition and the cleanliness of the Games Village, which I will have to say, in many-many of hotels, am not going to pull any punches, were ‘filthy’ and so, uninhabitable as is being stated by Fennel,” he added.

Moreover, team officials have expressed alarm at the lack of readiness and poor hygiene in sections of the athletes’ village.

Further the collapse of a foot overbridge outside the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the main venue of the Games on Tuesday has

reignited concerns about building safety standards.

Security concerns surrounding the Games have also been heightened in the wake of the shooting of two Taiwanese nationals

travelling in a tourist bus outside the Jama Masjid in the walled city area here on Sunday.

The record monsoon rains, an outbreak of dengue fever, allegations of corruption and late venue construction have all added to concern of athletes, their families and Games officials.

The 12-day sporting extravaganza, which kicks off on October 3, is India’s biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. (ANI)