Australia satisfied with Games preparation

October 14, 2009 04:57 pm | Updated 04:57 pm IST - New Delhi:

Stephen Smith, Australia's Foreign Minister, who is in New Delhi, has ridiculed suggestions that Delhi is behind prepartion for the Commonwealth Games. Here, he is seen with his Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna. Photo: V. Sudershan

Stephen Smith, Australia's Foreign Minister, who is in New Delhi, has ridiculed suggestions that Delhi is behind prepartion for the Commonwealth Games. Here, he is seen with his Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna. Photo: V. Sudershan

Australia on Wednesday expressed happiness over the preparations for the Commonwealth Games to be held in the national capital next year and sought to down play suggestions that work was behind schedule.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith visited two games venues here and said his country shares India’s confidence that the games will be organised smoothly.

“My observation is that things are on track. Some commentaries say that preparation is behind schedule. But these comments are always made in the run up to any Commonwealth Games and any Olympics Games,” he told reporters.

Similar comments were made just ahead of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and Sydney Olympics, he said.

“These things are always said and in the end you find the facilities are ready. The Indian government is confident that all facilities will be ready for the Commonwealth Games and Australia shares that confidence,” Mr. Smith said.

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