Chefs de mission happier than before: Kalmadi

New Delhi, Sep 23 (PTI) In the eye of a storm over the
shoddy state of the Commonwealth Games Village in the Indian
capital here, Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi
finally broke his silence Thursday saying that the
international chefs de mission are much "happier than before"
with the state of affairs.
Kalmadi, who had maintained a stoic silence since the
foot over-bridge collapse near the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium,
said he addressed the concerns raised by international
delegates in a meeting Thursday.
"I had a meeting with all the chefs de mission today and
they are happier than they were before," Kalmadi told
reporters at the airport where he had gone to receive
Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell.
Fennell is on an emergency trip to India and has even
sought time with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to
discuss the preparations after the Games' Village was
lambasted as "filthy and uninhabitable" by international
delegates.
Despite the raging row, Kalmadi reiterated that
preparations are on track, including at the much-criticised
Village.
"From today everything is going to be fine. I know how to
take criticism in my stride. I can assure you that we will
have a good Games and we will take care of everybody and they
will have a good time," he assured.
"All of them (international delegates) said that this is
a great Village when they went to the international zone,
dining zone and the kitchen. Everybody said they were out of
the world, including (CGF CEO) Mr Mike Hooper.
"The only problem was the living area. 18 blocks were
handed over to us earlier which were in good shape but the
rest were handed over later and there were certain problems
but we have sorted that out now," he said.
Asked about star athletes pulling out because of security
concerns, Kalmadi said, "There are two-three pullouts. But
security is well in place but if some people have their own
perception, I can't do anything about it."
"All the buses from Village to venues would be escorted
by police and full security would be in place. Whatever their
doubts, we have cleared them," he added.
"Teams will start arriving tomorrow. We are in a much
happier position now." PTI