2NDLD CWG 2LST

Fennell also had an hour-long meeting with Cabinet
Secretary K M Chandrasekhar. He is understood to have
discussed issues relating to concerns of various participating
countries over sanitation and other problems in the living
quarters at the Games Village and security issues.
The Delhi government, which has now been entrusted with
the task of getting the Village ready, has deployed a huge
work force to get the job done.
After visiting the Village Friday, Delhi Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit said people are working day and night to make
sure the clean up job is completed fast.
"Situation is much better now ... the workers will work
throughout the night and make sure everything happens on
time," she said.
Australia and New Zealand's decision to give the go-ahead
for its contingents came as a huge relief for the Organising
Committee as it would influence the other countries to follow
suit.
This came after days of uncertainty over whether they
would be in the Indian capital with the Australian Olympic
Committee even questioning the wisdom behind awarding the
event to Delhi.
But after visiting the Village this morning, Australian
Commonwealth Games Association chief Perry Crosswhite said his
country was happy with the facilities and that their athletes
are looking forward to the Games.
"We are quite happy with the Village and we are looking
forward to the Games. The Australian contingent is coming," he
said.
"Absolutely, it's thumbs up to the Games," he said, when
asked about his assessment of the Games.
Crosswhite was one of the strongest critics of the
preparations of the mega event till recently.
Australia is the dominant force at the Commonwealth level
winning 222 medals, including 84 gold, in the previous edition
in Melbourne.
After being indecisive for quite a few days, New Zealand
Olympic Committee also gave a nod of approval to their
athletes' participation in the Games after seeing positive
steps being taken by the organisers to improve the situation.
New Zealand Olympic Committee board gave the go ahead for
the planned departures from September 28 after being briefed
by NZOC President Mike Stanley and Secretary General Barry
Maister, who were in Delhi to take stock of the situation.
PTI