E-Paper
We are ready to face all challenges
The thought uppermost in my mind as I sit down to pen this piece with 283 days left for the start of the Commonwealth Games is simple: There will be challenges and we are ready to meet them.
The thought uppermost in my mind as I sit down to pen this piece with 283 days left for the start of the Commonwealth Games is simple: There will be challenges and we are ready to meet them.
There was some reason for us to smile last week: There were some good words for us from CoCom Chairman Mr. Austin Sealy and the CGF President Mr. Michael Fennell. And, on the day we had a meeting of the Executive Board, we heard that Commonwealth Games Australia President Mr. Perry Crosswhite had told his national media that Delhi had the potential to host the best Commonwealth Games. But we have not thought about back-slapping yet and have focussed on continuing the good work.
Let me reiterate that Team India --- and this includes Group of Ministers, led by Mr. S. Jaipal Reddy, Minister of Sports Dr. M. S. Gill, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Mr. Tejendra Khanna, Delhi Chief Minister Mrs. Shiela Dikshit, the Indian Olympic Association as well as the Organising Committee --- and the Commonwealth Games Federation have worked together to ensure that the preparation for the Games stays on course.
Of course, in the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, we were happy that the Commonwealth Games Federation’s Co-ordination Commission remarked that its sixth visit to Delhi has been the best till date. And that Mr. Fennell noted that we had covered a lot of ground. We did burn much midnight oil to tie loose ends that had caused some concern earlier.
We are aware there is much work to be done and that the momentum has to be sustained as we get closer to the Games. We have to take our plans and execute them well during the test events and then fine-tune them for the Commonwealth Games. We believe we have the talent, hunger and commitment to achieve the goal we have set for ourselves --- deliver the best Games.
I know that the CGF President has expressed some concern at the delays in the delivery of the stadia but I am confident that we will have everything in place well in time for the test events and the overlays to be in place.
The showpiece Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has been delayed because of additional work to facilitate the grand opening and closing ceremonies of the Games. Dr. Gill has assured everyone concerned that the work will be complete before the end of June.
The first of the Commonwealth Games-related infrastructure projects was opened last week. The 4km long storm-water tunnel drain built near the Indira Gandhi International Airport will ensure that the problem of water-logging in the airport will not crop up again. Many other projects will be completed in the weeks ahead and we have many reasons to look forward to Delhi becoming a world-class city in the near future.
I have admired the resilience of the Delhi citizen who has been our partner all the way. I want to reassure you that the Indian flag will flutter with pride during the Commonwealth Games.
