'Delhi's CWG preparations aren't accurate but the government has assured us'

Mike Fennell, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), has expressed satisfaction with the Indian government's assurances of support to ensure a successful holding of the event.

Addressing delegates during a cultural function hosted by the Organising Committee at historic Qutub Minar on Sunday, Fennell said, "We have come here amidst many reports about Delhi's preparedness, which are not quite accurate, but Sport Minister Gill has given us all the assurance that all the resources that are necessary to ensure the successful celebrations of the Games in 2010, will be provided by the government."

Earlier, Fennell had complained about the lack of preparations in New Delhi, and had written to the organisers expressing his concern at the organisers' reluctance to hire foreign experts and the tardy progress of work.

He had also demanded Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to help "revive" the games.

The games' organising committee has already received a lot of flak for its tardy progress with the construction of many venues, including the games' village, which is running behind schedule and which forced the postponement of many international meetings planned as test events.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be India's first major international sports event after the 1982 Asian Games. New Delhi hosted the inaugural Asian Games in 1951 and again in 1982.

Delhi had bagged the contract after beating the Canadian city Hamilton in the bid for the games.

The Games will be staged in India for the first time and in Asia for the second time. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, held the Commonwealth Games in 1998.