DELHI – Commonwealth Games chief Mike Fennell has criticised Delhi’s organisers for failing to heed warnings over preparations for the 2010 event.
The Games, which open tomorrow, have been hit by athlete withdrawals and criticism of the athletes’ village.
“People are working hard and want to do well but sometimes the co-ordination and intention to follow through is not always good,” Fennell told BBC Sport.
But he rejected claims the Commonwealth Games Federation could have done more.
“You can only do so much, you have to rely on them to follow your advice,” said Fennell, who is reported to have warned that India’s preparations were behind schedule in a letter to the local organising committee last month.
However, he was adamant that the federation had to allow local officials freedom to deliver the event in their own way.
“You entrust the organisation to an organising committee and that organising committee has to get on with the job,” he said.
“I have to say that in many countries, not just India, they do resist outsiders telling them what to do and what pace to do it at.”
He also insisted that taking the Games to India was the right decision.
“We have to take these journeys or you will confine these events to just a few countries,” Fennell said.
“You can’t have the largest Commonwealth country make an acceptable offer and then not accept it.” (BBC)
