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Kiwis confirm participation in CWG
New Zealand said on Friday it would compete at the Delhi Commonwealth Games after seeing "significant progress" in addressing problems plaguing the event.
New Zealand said on Friday it would compete at the Delhi Commonwealth Games after seeing "significant progress" in addressing problems plaguing the event.
New Zealand's Games chief Mike Stanley said concerns remained about hygiene in the athletes' village but the team planned to attend the Games, due to start October 3.
"We are confident now that this can be turned around," said Stanley, president of the New Zealand Olympic Committee which is responsible for the Games team.
"What we found was inexcusable and unacceptable but we've seen a change in leadership and this is positive." New Zealand has been among the most vocal critics of the squalid athlete accommodation that had marred the lead-up to the Games, delaying its team's departure until the living quarters are brought up to scratch.
Stanley said his officials would continue to review the situation on a day-by-day basis. He said it was deeply disappointing that the Games organising committee failed to respond to concerns when they were first raised.
"There has to be some criticism made of the Commonwealth Games Federation as well for letting this situation develop," he said.
He said New Zealand also had reservations about the transport system for the Games but was positive about security, the issue he identified as a top priority ahead of the athletes' arrival in Delhi, scheduled for Tuesday.
"Our government advisers have confirmed that while there is risk in a general sense associated with India, there continues to be no direct threat to the Commonwealth Games," he said.
