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Commonwealth Games Federation Reviews Delhi 2010 Progress

Accra, May 16, GNA- The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Coordination Commission on Wednesday completed its second meeting with the Delhi 2010 Organising Committee (OC) and government agencies to review progress made since the Commissions inaugural meeting in November 2006.

The Coordination Commission meeting, which commenced on Sunday evening, provides an opportunity for the CGF, the OC and its government partners to jointly discuss progress and issues and for the CGF to assist with overall preparations through high level advice.

Mr Austin Sealy, Chairman of the CGF Coordination Commission, Delhi 2010 said this in a release copied to the GNA Sports in Accra.

He said under the Commercial and Media Opportunities, in addition to a range of technical issues, the CGF continues to work with the OC in relation to the Games commercial and broadcast programme.

The CGF is excited about the opportunity presented for Indian companies and media to showcase Indian capability and its role as a major growth engine in the world economy. The Commonwealth Games will present a unique commercial opportunity for companies which India has not seen since the Asian Games in 1982.

Mr Sealy said under the targets from November 2006, the CGF has committed to ensuring the Indian public and media are kept informed of Games issues and progress. At the wrap up of the November 2006 Coordination Commission meeting it was agreed by the OC and the CGF that by May 2007 the following targets will have been achieved.

“All major venue locations were to be finalised and an overall and detailed Games wide master schedule was to be available for review covering the period to the end of 2010.

Detailed designs and contracting arrangements for all major competition
venues and the Games Village, International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre were to be finalised with the senior managers of the OC and some key programme project managers to be appointed with an overall and detailed whole of Games budget to be presented”.

He said a substantial effort has been made by D2010 and many of these targets have been met and “we acknowledge the work of the OC, Government of India and Government of Delhi and the related government agencies all of which are demonstrating excellent support for the Commonwealth Games”.

The Chairman however said that a number of the targets have not been met and this is a cause for concern.

Mr Sealy said under the Areas of Focus - May 2007 Coordination Commission, the Organising Committee and the CGF have worked diligently together to be prepared for the Coordination Commission meeting and to develop a common understanding of the current issues facing D2010.

For the Commission meeting, the CGF and D2010 have focused on four core themes being: Games Finance and Budget, Building the OC, Games Planning and Scheduling and Priority Functional Areas and Business Processes.

During the presentations and subsequent workshop sessions, it was possible for the OC and CGF to exchange views on all of these themes and to define key action areas as well as to agree pathways to advance planning for the Games.

The Chairman noted that the level of reporting and collaboration overall is markedly improved since the Commissions first visit and the CGF congratulates the OC and government agencies.

In general, there are a number of positive developments, all major Games venue locations have now been finalised, the Government of India and Delhi Government have approved budgets for a significant portion of construction including for all major competition venues and the Village as well as for major undertakings relating to Transport, Security, and City infrastructure.

The rest are planning for Games venues and related infrastructure has accelerated and is now maturing to allow construction to commence later in 2007 on all major venues. Some of the smaller venues will not start until after this date however that does not pose any problems for the Games. The OC and government have assured the CGF that all venues will be ready for test events in 2009/10.

Major urban development continues at a rapid pace in Delhi much of which will assist the Games. The relationships between the functioning of the city and the Games is yet to be fully planned however improvements such as a new airport, upgraded road and metro systems, improved urban amenity in key locations for Games visitors and the local population, improved and more stable utilities
infrastructure, particularly power supply, are all essential for the Games to be a success. The CGF will monitor delivery against government undertakings very closely.

Precinct planning committees have been formed to ensure integrated
infrastructure planning. While this exercise is being lead by the OC and has
made a substantial difference, it is important to ensure that all agencies
observe CGF requirements and international standards and Games operational requirements which are defined by the CGF and OC.

Security and Transport planning is underway with a focused effort by the relevant government agencies. While acknowledging that there has been good progress in these areas, it will be important for there to be a closer liaison with the OC to ensure that games requirements are met and lead all planning assumptions.

The OC has prepared its initial integrated Games Master schedule and while this planning document will continue to evolve and requires the input of other agencies, overall the framework is sound and should assist to guide planning effectively.

The OC’s first detailed preliminary Games budget is also being developed however as planning evolves there will be a need to revisit this budget as is the case with all organising committees. The CGF expects that there will be substantial revision in 2008 as plans mature.

Mr Sealy said while there is evidence of growing momentum in Games planning, the CGF remains concerned about slippages which must be addressed immediately by the OC as it is the OC that the CGF looks to for the planning and delivery of the Games with support from their government partners.

The staffing, contracting of experts and suppliers, establishment of OC systems including technology, procurement and Headquarters office and evolution of the OC generally is now the highest priority. The OC must now build its team of event professionals and local staff to deliver the Games. Because of delays in settling the OCs funding, the deployment of appropriately skilled and experienced managers has been delayed and this must now be remedied as the OCs highest priority.

Games planning, at an international standard adopting best practice for the Commonwealth Games, is behind schedule and must be accelerated immediately.
While good progress has been made in some areas such as infrastructure
planning, marketing and broadcasting, more is to be done in all other key
functional areas.

Linked to planning is the need to ensure effective coordination of all
government agencies with the OC and in particular to ensure a clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of each party.

The OC continues to review and develop its budget. The CGF is satisfied with the process now being followed however, as in all such events, encourages the OC and Government of India to allow sufficient flexibility and contingency to accommodate planning evolution. The Coordination Commission will undertake a detailed review of the budget later in 2007.

The Chairman said while the CGF remains confident of Delhi's ability and commitment to deliver outstanding Games, progress is required on all fronts in the near-term.

On a separate but related issue, he said the Games in 2010 will only be judged a complete success by the Indian population if the Indian team is successful and competes with distinction, even in sports in which India has not previously excelled.

He said the team preparation programme is every bit as important as the Games organisation. A substantial increase in resources and support for training and preparing athletes including high level international competition is required now.
Time is no longer our friend for both Games preparation and development of the Indian athletes. Every day counts and the CGF urges all to intensify efforts to meet world class standards and deliver appropriate and meaningful legacies to India, he added.

GNA