Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The first batch of Indian athletes Thursday checked into the Commonwealth Games Village which has come in for severe criticism after many nations said the conditions were “filthy and unliveable.”
Around 150 Indian athletes, out of 495, are scheduled to occupy the Village by Thursday night, Bhubaneswar Kalita, chef de mission of the Indian contingent, told IANS.

“India have been allotted three towers (27, 28, 29). As of now, they have occupied tower no 29,” Kalita said.

The Indian contingent that was due to check into the Village Thursday included archery (17), hockey men (20) and women (20), lawn bowls (21), gymnastics (21) and weightlifting (23) besides the 17 Para-Sport athletes and team officials.

The Table Tennis players, who were one of the first teams to enter the Village, were happy with the facilities.

“We have been given a five bed-room flat. It is a big flat. We are a 10-member team, two coaches, two support staff and one manager. We are four players to check-in today and the rest of the players will be joining us in the coming days,” Subhajit Saha told IANS.

“It is a well-furnished flat. There are air conditioners in all the rooms. The bathroom is well maintained.”

“It was a tiring day. We had to wait for sometime at the Organising Committee and then here before we got our accreditations and checked in. But it is all right. These things happen in every Games. I remember, we had to wait a lot on the opening day of Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. They took a long time to give us accreditations.

Asked about other facilities of the Village, Saha said: “The parking area needs some attention. The rain water need to be cleared from there. Some of the lifts are not working. But I am sure that by the time other teams arrive, these things will be done.”