'Lapses in CWG preparations, immediate attention needed'

New Delhi, May 16 (UNI) In a major embarrassment for the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, CGF Coordination Commission today expressed its concern over ''slippages'' in the 2010 Games preparations, which were behind schedule, and asked for immediate addressing of issues in order to conduct the extravaganza successfully.

Addressing a press conference here after reviewing the 2010 Games preparations during its second meeting, Commission chairman Austin Sealy minced no words and told Organising Committee (OC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi that a number of the targets had not been met.

''A substantial effort has been made (since the first meeting of the commission in November 2006) by D2010 and many of the targets have been met,'' Mr Sealy told the media before turning the screws on the OC.

''That said, a number of the targets have not been met and this remain a cause for concern,'' he said.

Mr Sealy acknowledged that there was an evidence of growing momentum in the Games planning, but said the the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) was worried about slippages.

''We are concerned about the slippages which must be addressed immediately by the OC as it is the OC that the CGF looks to for the planning and delivery of the Games with the support from their government partners.'' He said that hiring event professionals and local delivery staff was delayed and deployment of experienced managers ought to be OC's highest priority at this stage.

Mr Sealy called for an immediate acceleration of behind-the-schedule Games planning and said more was needed to be done on key fuctional areas.

He made a veiled comment on lack of coordination between various government agencies and OC, and said a clear definition of the roles and responsibilites of each party was required.

The commission chairman asked the Government and OC to allow a greater financial flexibility and contingency for the Games.

''Time is not our friend for both the Games preparation and development of the Indian athletes. everyday counts and the CGF urges all to intesify efforts to meet world class standards,'' Mr Sealy concluded.

Meanwhile, Mr Kalmadi ensured the Federation that things will fall in place by the time comission meets next to review the progress in November this year.

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