Progress of works for 2010 Games reviewed

[sajiv]

NEW DELHI: The fifth Coordination Committee Meeting (CoCOM) of the XIX Commonwealth Games-2010 in Delhi concluded here on Wednesday after three days of discussion. The top brass of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) reviewed the progress and updates provided by the Organising Committee of the Games.

The conference had got under way on Monday with the CoCOM delegation holding brainstorming sessions with representatives of the Delhi Government as well as other stakeholders in order to get the latest updates on preparations on the ground for the international sporting event.

The meeting was attended among others by CoCOM chairman Austin Sealy, CGF CEO Mike Hooper, CoCOM vice-president Bruce Robertson, and CGF members Sharad Rao and Craug McLatchry. Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi apprised the delegation of the progress made in preparations for the Games.

The CGF reviewed the progress on various city operation plans for the Games which also included infrastructure, communication, transportation, waste management and city beautification. Earlier also the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) delegations from Canada, Australia, Scotland and New Zealand had visited Delhi to review these aspects. Briefing the delegation, Mr. Kalmadi said: "We are strictly following the Games master schedule drawn up during the last CoCOM. Many deadlines have been met and efforts are on to further enhance the efficiency in meeting laid down deadlines."

Stating that "CoCOM meetings are very essential as they provide an occasion for its CoCOM delegates to mingle with the Organising Committee officials and understand each other's perspective," he said, "With this, synergies are created to evolve and make the Organising Committee resolute in delivering the Games effectively."

Mr. Kalmadi also assured the CoCOM members that except for the cycling velodrome and rugby, all other venues would be completed by December 2009 or before. The NDMC Indoor Stadium and Thyagaraj Stadium would be inaugurated during the General Assembly of CGF which would take place in October this year, he said.