Delhi CM nervous about Games, says stadia a major concern

The construction of the stadia remains a major concern area for Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who says she is praying that the country should not be let down during the Games next year.

The construction of the stadia remains a major concern area for Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who says she is praying that the country should not be let down during the Commonwealth Games next year.

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"I only keep praying that we won't let the country down," Dikshit told PTI in an interview. However, she said "we will do everything possible to see that the country was not let down."

Identifying construction of the stadia as a major area of concern, she said they are "most critical" for successful hosting of the event.

"Stadia has to be right. Because you may have a road which may not look pretty, or a light in the street which may not be working but stadia is the most critical thing," she said.

Asked about the criticism over the delay in various projects and readiness of the city to host the event, she said, "of course it is (ready to host the event). No city in the world will be ready till a year before.

"We will be ready. We have got eight months to go. Actually nine months to go but I said eight months. And you can see work going on all over Delhi...".

Expressing "regret" over the delays in construction of venues for the event, Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell on Saturday warned the organisers that further delays in the construction of stadia would seriously impact on the conduct of test events.