'Delhi Commonwealth Games risks failure in many areas'

Delhi's preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games has picked up pace over the last two months, but the October 3-14 multi-discipline event still risks failure, according to the CGF Coordination Commission (COCOM).

Chaired by Commonwealth Games Federation treasurer Austin Sealy, the COCOM visited India's capital city from December 14 to 16 and made public their report on Delhi's preparation.

"While substantial progress has been demonstrated by OC (Organising Committee) and its delivery partners since last COCOM, it is clear successful delivery of the Games remains at risk in many key areas," the panel said in its conclusion.

Making it clear that things should have been put in place by now, the report said, "Many of these risks are atypical of an OC at this stage of preparation and they require the OC Executive and the Government to initiate immediate and ongoing remedial work with expert assistance in some areas."

The COCOM welcomed the late alacrity on the OC's part but insisted the organisers have a difficult task at hand.

"The overall standard of presentations and dialogue demonstrates that the OC and its delivery partners are starting to 'turn the corner' and are addressing the myriad of issues they face.

"However, compared with any recent major event of a similar scale including recent Commonwealth Games, most focus areas reviewed by the COCOM present a high level of risk to successful Games operations," it said.