New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Manhoman Singh’s categorical assurance that the Commonwealth Games will be hugely successful came as a morale booster for the Organising Committee (OC).
Randhir Singh, vice-chairman of the OC, told reporters Monday evening that the Prime Minister’s statement should put at rest all doubts about the Games.

Earlier in the day, Sports Minister M.S. Gill expressed similar view while inspecting the progress of work at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

“The prime minister’s assurance has given tremendous confidence to the entire team. It is nice to know that we have the full support of the government. It has certainly raised the spirit of the OC,” said Randhir Singh.

Manmohan Singh, on his visit to Thailand, promised Sunday that Delhi would hold a “spectacular” Commonwealth Games. “Whatever mechanism have now been put in place will work effectively.” Singh told mediapersons during an intearaction.

Gill said the PM’s statement “should assure everyone that we will be ready in time for the Games.”

Randhir said some government officers would soon join the OC.

“We have asked the government to depute some experienced officers. We are running behind in meeting some of the deadlines and we are trying to catch up with them. The sub-committees and the functional areas have started functioning. We have taken note of the areas which CGF chief Michael Fennell pointed out.”

He also said that the training of the sports persons is going on right track.

“We had a meeting with the National Sports Federations (NSFs) and told them to ensure that the contracts of the foreign coaches are renewed in time. The preparation of athletes should not get affected,” he said.

OC Secretary General Lalit Bhanot said that all the test events will take place as per scheduled.

“There are 17 disciplines for which the test events will happen. All the events will take place as per international norms. We will be testing some specific areas like catering, accommodation, protocol, transport during the test events.”

“We will soon begin the procurement of technical equipments.”