September 25, 2010 5:13 PM

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CWG: More teams come, many more confirm participation

More teams have arrived in New Delhi for participation in the Commonwealth Games and many more have confirmed their participation. Teams from Trinidad and Tobago and Scotland reached late last night and four more teams of New Zealand, Guyana, Canada and Spain are expected late this evening. English team was the first to arrive in the city and several Australian athletes have checked in the games village. New Zealand and Canada who had earlier expressed their reservation over their participation are also arriving in a couple of days. Athletes and players from 71 countries are expected to participate in the games beginning on 3rd of next month. Addressing a Press Conference in New Delhi, Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell said that considerable work has been done and some more remains. He said the work in the games village will be over by this evening. Fennel said that the federation is monitoring the situation carefully on daily basis and he will be visiting the Games Village again. He described the international zone of the Games Village and quality of food excellent. In response to a question, Fennel said that the recent intervention by the government has helped expedite cleanliness in the Games Village. In response to a question about the delay in the completion process Fennel said, the blame and the responsibility has to be borne by all the stake holders. The Federation was only raising issues on smooth conduct of the games, including security and cleanliness issues from time to time. But, he said, cancellation of the Games was never on the Agenda of the Federation. He said both games federation and organizing committee have learnt lessons from this experience.Chairman of the Organizing Committee Suresh Kalmadi who was present in the press conference conceded that the delay was due to the fault of the Organizing Committee.Collapsed foot-over bridge outside Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the main venue from games,will be re-built in four days. Delhi government has requested the army to build the foot over bridge known as bailey-bridge. Another foot bridge being constructed by Public work Department will be completed before the commencement of the games.Trail run for the express metro rail from international air port to New Delhi Railway Station will begin soon and it will open for traffic after receiving the safety certificate by the commissioner. A spokesman of the Metro rail Corporation said that the train will be operational before the start of the games. Delhi Government has opened Barapullah elevated corridor for athletes and games officials. The 4 kilo meter elevated road over Barapullah Nallah from Sarai Kale Khan will link Commonwealth Games Village and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium directly.AIR correspondent who visited the games village reports that the cleanliness drive is about to complete and the arrangements for the practice of athletes are ready for use:Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has said security concerns over the Commonwealth Games have been addressed by the police and security agencies.Delhi government is believed to have rejected a proposal by the participating countries of the Commonwealth Games not to allow use of dedicated lanes by non-Games vehicles for more than 17 hours in a day. Chef de Missions of the countries wanted blocking of the lanes from 6 AM to 11 PM. The state Government said it will create inconvenience to public at large. They maintained that the lanes will only be blocked for the public during the movement of Games vehicles. A special Park and Ride facility at the Safdarjung Airport for the Commonwealth Games and four new footover bridges, including one near the main sports venue Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, were unveiled today.

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