Delhi's chance to host 2010 Games at risk

New Delhi: The Commonwealth Games Federation (CWGF) on Tuesday said that India's hosting of the 2010 Games would be "seriously jeopardised" if there is a last-minute change in the site of the controversial Games Village.

The coordination commission of the CWGF, which reviewed the progress of the work for the 2010 Games, also expressed concern over Cycling velodrome the construction of which is still to begin.

The Commonwealth Games Village site on the Yamuna riverbed is embroiled in a legal tangle in Delhi High Court after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed citing damage the Village would cause to the environment. The PIL said it would affect the groundwater recharge and environment regeneration.

Commission Chairman Austin Sealy urged the 2010 Organising Committee (OC) to "try and resolve it as a matter of urgency".

"CWGF is aware that the issue is presently before the court and therefore considers it inappropriate to comment on the matter other than to note that any change, at this late stage, to the Games village arrangement would seriously jeopardise India's hosting of the Games," Sealy told reporters.

On the construction of the cycling venue, Sealy noted, "Work has still not commenced with the Games barely two years away. The OC and Sports Authority of India is committed to provide the Cycling's world body with a top class facility."

"There is no more time to be lost in this area and the Commission is concerned at how the facility will come up at such a short time."

Sealy said India can put up a temporary facility instead of constructing a stadium for cycling.

The Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi, however, said that tenders for the cycling venue have been floated and it will be finalised by December 15. "Work will begin shortly after that."

Kalmadi also said that the construction at the Games village is on as there is no stay from the court.

Sealy said that they were satisfied with the other preparations.

"The Commission saw the construction progress across all venues and overall impressions are positive. We are satisfied with quality of the venues coming up. All steps are going in right direction," he added.

"India has the manpower and it can come up with facilities at a faster pace," Sealy said.

The Committee's next meeting will be in March and it looks forward to to seeing considerable progress.

"The operational progress is linked to resource allocation and it is imperative that the budget approvals are given with urgency to the organising committee's by the sports ministry," Sealy said.