This might seem like an ongoing rant on just how ill-prepared we are to host a world class event as we count down to the Commonwealth Games, but that’s what most people are talking about, including the media.
1) In latest news that has come in from the CWG site, traffic trials for the Games gave Delhiites a harrowing time this morning in the capital.
This was the first time that Delhi Police conducted trials on reserved lanes during peak hours. “It was frustrating. I was in a rush to reach my office but was stuck in the traffic from 8:15 am,” said Anurag Chatterjee, a software professional.
Don’t tell us we didn’t warn you about this well in advance.
2) Delhi Police is yet to prepare a detailed plan of the athletes’ movement from the hotels to their respective venues depending on the discipline they compete in. The athletes and delegates, nearly 7,000 of them from 53 participating countries are scheduled to trickle in from September 20.
“We haven’t received the plan from the OC. We need the schedule to see where the athletes would be going for training sessions and how many buses would be required for that. A final traffic arrangement can be made only when the OC hands us the schedule,” Ajay Chadha, special commissioner, traffic, told IANS.
3) The unfazed CWG Organising Committee is trying hard to cover up the ‘bad’ and highlight the ‘good’. And to do that it must blow its own trumpet. OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi said the venues were ready and Delhi is all set for the Games.
4) On Monday, the OC took the media on another round of venue visits for the second consecutive day. While Nehru Stadium looked plush green with its lawn bowls, the Talkatora Indoor stadium (boxing), Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex, Thyagaraj Sports Complex (netball) and Siri Fort Sports Complex (badminton and squash) looked competition ready as well. Photos
OC vice chairman Randhir Singh said, “Everyone has worked hard to overcome problems, caused mostly by the monsoon, but now the time has come to look at the positives. The facilities are world class and we need to showcase them through media.”
In more hopeful news:
1) The Commonwealth Games had its first kitchen trial yesterday. Australian firm Delaware North Corporation (DNC) and Taj SATS, which were awarded the catering contracts for the CWG, cooked vegetarian fare for the workers and officials at the venues yesterday. The trials will run for up to five days when the caterers will serve up a variety of cuisines.
During the Games, there will be a new menu everyday at the Village, which will have multi-cuisine and specialised food items.
2) Freshly crowned world wrestling champ, Sushil Kumar hopes to repeat his feat and win a gold for his country in the CWG.
3) The handicraft industry is also looking forward to making some good money riding on the Games’ wave. They are stocking up to parade their unique stuff to visitors during the mega event.
We’ll keep our fingers crossed and try to bring you more ‘positive news’ in the last few days to the countdown.
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