The Hindu : Sport : Kalmadi happy with work in progress for CWG

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Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009
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Kalmadi happy with work in progress for CWG

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The renovation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the showpiece venue of the next year’s Commonwealth Games here, was long overdue.

One of the several venues that came up for the 1982 Asian Games, the Nehru Stadium is currently in the middle of some serious makeover. Once ready by March next year, the stadium’s capacity will be down to 60,000 from 75,000, but promises to be more spectator-friendly than ever.

The lower tier has been moved closer to the field of action. Unlike in the past, the upper tier will also have seats and the plan includes a roof over all the enclosures.

Several modifications

These are some of the several modifications made to Nehru Stadium that was inspected by the Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi here on Tuesday. The Games are scheduled from October 3 to 14 in 2010.

Giving a status report of various venues to the mediapersons here, Mr. Kalmadi said, “most of the infra-structure will be ready by December this year. By March next year, we can have the test events.”

Expressing satisfaction over the progress of work, that was about 30 per cent complete and on target, Mr. Kalmadi said the government had also cleared the way for turning the Yamuna Velodrome into an indoor facility and incorporated other technical requirements as per the wishes of the International Cycling Federation. “Now there is no problem,” he said.

Money allocation

He reiterated that an allocation of Rs. 678 crore by the Prime Minister for training of the athletes for the Games would go a long way in helping India win more medals.

“After spending so much money on the hosting of the Games, obviously the people of our country would like to see us winning more and more medals. I have no doubt that our athletes will do very well.”

He said the matter of the Games Village was sub-judice but there was no stay order on its construction.

On the subject of security, Mr, Kalmadi said all necessary steps would be taken to ensure a safe Games. In addition, an expert team on security from the Commonwealth Games Federation would also be here, he said.

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