CGF worried over poor construction of CWG stadiums, wants written assurance

Concerned over CVC's report which points to alleged corruption in various Games related projects, the Commonwealth Games Federation has shot a letter to the Organising Committee, asking it to ensure that all the venues for the October 3-14 megaevent obtain quality assurance certificates. Inaugurated and ready?

Concerned over CVC's report which points to alleged corruption in various Games related projects, the Commonwealth Games Federation has shot a letter to the Organising Committee, asking it to ensure that all the venues for the October 3-14 megaevent obtain quality assurance certificates.

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CGF chief executive officer Mike Hooper said the federation was worried over the rising allegations of corruption and delays that has recently rocked the forthcoming sporting extravaganza.

"We are concerned about the implication of the CVC (Central Vigilance Commission) report indeed. We have written to the OC following the release of the report, basically saying that we need assurances, as does the OC, from the venue owners which are essentially the government agencies that all venues are fully compliant with Government of India laws, the building codes etc, all the sanctions and sign offs on that have been obtained," Hooper said on Monday.

"Certainly it is of concern and if there are immediate works needs to be done...they must do it in the next 60 days," he added.

A recent assessment report, prepared by CVC's Chief Technical Examination Wing, pointed out large-scale procedural violations, including corruption in as many as 16 different Commonwealth Games-related construction works being carried out by various departments here.

"What we have asked the OC to do is to follow up on that points. They have done so because I know Mr Kalmadi himself on the weekend at a press conference said categorically that he would not accept the handover of any venue if the appropriate documentation is not there, attesting the venues are fit for the purpose," Hooper said.

With 62 days to go for the event, Hooper said although a proper probe is essential to find the guilty, the immediate priority for the organisers must be successful delivery of the Games.

"Clearly they (OC) are considering the allegations. They should...and these investigations should happen. If any wrongdoing is intimated then proper action should be taken. Ultimately it is very important," he said.

"But at the moment we should be concentrating on delivering the Games," Hooper said.