Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal fears that mass pull out by top athletes from the Commonwealth Games will rob spectators of a chance to witness some great contests.
Reports of tourist-attack and foot-bridge collapse, coupled with fears of dengue epidemic and doubts over hygiene of Games Village have let to the withdrawal of many top stars and Saina said she is disappointed.
- Coverage: Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi
"I'm disappointed with the pull-out of some top athletes from the Delhi Games. If competition is not there it does not feel good as people come to see good contests," Saina said.
A number of participating countries have criticised the living conditions of the rooms in the towers that have been installed for the athletes and Saina said she was pained to read and hear about these negative publicity.
"I am sad and it feels bad to hear these on television. But I cannot comment about the Games village as I am yet to see it. Without seeing it's not proper for me to comment," Saina said.
In what should bring cheers to the ears of the under-fire Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi, Saina also gave a big thumbs up to the badminton venue.
"I have played there and it's a top class arena. The stadium is excellent," she said.
Talking about India's chances at the Commonwealth Games, Saina said the hosts are well poised to win a medal in each of the six events in badminton in Delhi.
"We have all trained very hard in Hyderabad for the Commonwealth Games and I'm confident we have a chance to win a medal in every event we participate in," said the world No.3.
Six gold medals and an equal number of silver and bronze are on offer in badminton, which is to be held at the Siri Fort Complex along with squash.
Saina said the challenge for India would come from Malaysia, Singapore and Scotland. "We can expect tough challenge from Malaysia, Singapore
and Scotland," she said.
Talking about her own chances, especially in the light of the comments from her predecessor Aparna Popat that the country expected nothing less than a gold from her, Saina promised she would do her best.
"I cannot promise a medal though I will be aiming for the gold. But I will give it my best shot," she said.
Saina said she had put the World Championship, where she lost in the quarter-finals despite being ranked second, well behind her and was looking forward to the Delhi Games followed by the Asiad.
"I am happy I tried my best and am now looking forward to the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. I feel my fitness levels have increased by over 60 per cent since the world championship. But we have to wait and see how things pan out," she said.
Saina said it was totally wrong to compare the sports infrastructure that exists in India to that of China because only in the last couple of years that the country has started to do well at the top most level like the Olympics.
