Sport

Fennell says Games will go ahead

05:44 am on 26 September 2010

The Commonwealth Games Federation chief says there is a lot of work to be done amid security concerns before India's showcase event opens next weekend, but that all countries were expected to take part.

Several athletes have pulled out of an event plagued by filthy accommodation, shoddy construction and security fears.

The Indian government is rushing to ensure everything is prepared in the week before the opening.

Michael Fennell, chief of Commonwealth Games Federation, says all 71 countries will be attending.

Athletes from 11 countries have arrived so far and Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Northern Ireland and Wales have all confirmed they are satisfied with preparations to send their teams.

The Games, held every four years for mostly former British colonies, are estimated to have cost $6 billion. Asia's third-largest economy was awarded them in 2003 but did not begin proper preparations until two years ago.

India had hoped to use the Games to display its growing global economic and political influence, rivalling neighbour China which put on a spectacular 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Instead, they have become a major embarrassment for the world's largest democracy, where infrastructure projects have progressed slowly and drag on economic growth.