CWG chief happy with preparation: Committee

Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell, who had only last month expressed concern at the tardy preparation for the 2010 edition of the Games, is now satisfied with the progress, organisers claimed on Saturday.

Fennell gave a thumbs up to the intensified preparations for the October 3-14 Games during continental meetings of the CGF, secretary general of the organising committee Lalit

Bhanot said in New Delhi.

"Fennell expressed satisfaction in the meeting and mentioned that there were lot of progress in the preparations in the last few weeks. He also hoped that the venues of the event are going to be world class," Bhanot said.

Bhanot said that a detailed presentation on various aspects of the Commonwealth Games was made during the executive meeting on Saturday.

"All the delegates were happy with the hour-long presentation made by the organisers. The details ranging from holding the events to training the volunteers were made using 151 slides," he said.

The capital's preparations for the mega-event had come under the scanner after Fennell wrote a scathing letter to the organising committee and questioned their ability to deliver a successful Games.

Fennell had also sought a meeting with the Prime Minister to brief him about the tardy preparations but has not been granted any date as yet.

The CGF boss was miffed with the pace of the preparation for the multi-discipline event and feared it was heading for "partial failure" unless the organisers pull up their socks and got some experienced foreign experts on board.

Fennell will also chair a meeting of the executive board on Sunday and the general assembly the following day.

Bhanot said that Prince Edwards, The Earl of Wessex and Vice Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation, arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the CGF General Assembly.

Bhanot, however, did not divulge whether Prince Edwards would inspect the venues and the facilities.

Bhanot also said that sample of the medals for the Games, which would be ready shortly, would be sent to the CGF for their approval.

There will be 271 gold medals, as many silvers and 288 bronze medals on offer during the games.