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Prince Edward happy with Commonwealth Games infrastructure

Last updated on: October 11, 2009 18:38 IST

Image: Prince Edwards (left) speaks to Delhi Development Authority officialsPrince Edward has given a thumbs-up to the infrastructure coming up for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the capital, the organisers claimed in New Delhi, on Sunday.

Prince Edward, who is the vice patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), had a rather hectic schedule since his arrival on Saturday as he met Sports Minister MS Gill and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit before inspecting the venues on Sunday with Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi in tow.

He visited the Thyagaraj Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Games Village and Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium as well as the headquarters of the Organising Committee and was happy with the progress, the organisers said.

"He showed satisfaction at the infrastructure being developed in Delhi," the organising committee said in a statement.

The Earl of Wessex is in New Delhi to attend the CGF General Assembly.

The Prince showed interest in understanding the infrastructure development in Delhi and the level of the preparedness of the Organising Committee.

He was particularly keen to know details about the Queen's Baton Relay that will be launched by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace on October 29.

At the Thyagaraj Stadium, Prince Edward asked specifically about an entrance that has been created for vehicles to access the field of play area and was happy that it had been designed to allow ambulances to have easy access to transport injured athletes.

He spent a long time at the National Stadium where hockey competition would be held.

At the Games Village, Prince Edward was shown a miniature model of the 34-tower facility by Kalmadi and Delhi Development Authority authorities.

The royal guest saw the apartments before taking a round of two fully-furnished apartments. He spent about 10 minutes inside the apartments, looking at the facilities for the athletes and left after signing the guest book.

Image: Prince Edwards (left) speaks to Delhi Development Authority officials

Photograph: Reuters

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