Games Village problems ‘minor’, says CWG OC

New Delhi : Reacting to adverse comments on the Games Village, Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) secretary-general Lalit Bhanot said that it was minor issue and insisted the levels of hygiene at the athletes’ village would be upgraded to meet participants’ expectations.

?We are aware of the concern show by some members who are here in connection with the participation in next month?s Commonwealth Games. The situation is under control and we are confident that when the teams arrive on the evening of September 23, the residential wing will be clean,? said Bhanot.

Bhanot said some work, especially deep cleaning, needs to be done and that has started.

?We have developed a world class Village, with a great international zone, excellent sports facilities that are hardly provided in Games Villages elsewhere and a superb dining hall. The venues are in the best of condition to conduct the Games and the issues around the Village will not affect the Games,? said Bhanot.

Bhanot said all issues are being looked into and will be resolved before the teams arrive.

?We have started work in the 32 towers and will complete it before the arrival of the athletes. In fact, we have cleaned apartments in more than 60 per cent of the towers,? he said.

The Secretary-General said the officials who visited the Village this morning had assured the Organising Committee full support to complete the cleaning process.

?The Cabinet Secretary, Sports Secretary, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Delhi?s Lieutenant Governor, Chief Secretary, DDA Vice Chairman were all there,? he said.

Games Village Mayor Maj, (retd) Dalbir Singh said gaps in the work areas had been identified and action taken.

?It is an ongoing process and a structure for maintenance is in place. We will resolve all concerns. The apartments have remained unoccupied and therefore some issues are coming up,? he said.

Several nations this morning expressed concern at the state of the village as fears over the staging of the Games increased.

Team leaders from England, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, Australia and Canada admitted “grave concerns” over the accommodation for the 6,500 team members and said some was “unsafe and unfit for human habitation”.

But Bhanot said: “Whatever the concerns expressed, we are looking into everything and it will be resolved before the teams arrive. We are on the job and everyone is working day and night. We have visited villages from various Games and if you see ours it is world class.”

“The deep cleaning needs to be done but it will not affect the Games. All other things and all other venues are ready and in the best of condition to conduct these events,” he said.