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The 2010 Commonwealth Games boss has written to member countries in an effort to ensure them security for the Delhi event will be “absolutely safe”.
Powerful politician and businessman Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the organising committee for the Delhi Games, has sent the note to national federations a week after the terrorist attack in Lahore.
India are also dealing with the effects of last year’s co-ordinated terrorism in Mumbai.
“May I reassure you that (the) organising committee and government of India are committed to provide an absolutely safe and secured environment for athletes, officials and visiting dignitaries during the Commonwealth Games,” Kalmadi wrote.
“All preparations are going ahead with fullest speed and a never-before experience of participation and pleasure (sic) awaits you all.
“I appeal to you to have full confidence in our preparations and stand united to defeat any attempt to destabilise global camaraderie and goodwill.”
In the immediate aftermath of last week’s attack aimed at the Sri Lankan cricket team, Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) chief executive Perry Crosswhite said the Delhi Games were going ahead as planned.
He said Kalmadi’s email was a positive initial gesture to calm any anxiety among Commonwealth nations.
“He’s got something out, he’s giving some assurances that steps are being taken,” Crosswhite said.
“He’s trying to assure all of us that the Games will be as secure as they can make them and I think that’s probably the first step, which is good.”
The ACGA will visit Delhi on April 1 to discuss security with Games organisers and Australian government officials in the country, a trip planned before the Lahore attack.
“The organising committee is certainly responsible for the security, but we’re certainly going to do our own checks and arrangements as well,” Crosswhite said.
Kalmadi added India’s home secretary was heading an “empowered committee” that was monitoring and co-ordinating security arrangements.
He said an international security agency had completed their first visit to Delhi and will separately monitor the Games arrangements.
“The various countries who saw the tragic events in Pakistan were probably wanting to ensure they could still continue to plan for the Games, that is still the case – it’s good,” Crosswhite said.
“It’s a beginning.”
But Australian Trevor Bayliss, coach of the Sri Lankan team, has sounded a warning for sports people and organisers involved with events on the subcontinent, including the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
“There’s some big questions to be asked by the governing bodies of all the sports, not just cricket,” Bayliss said on Tuesday after he returned to Australia.
“I think this proves if cricket, which is the No.1 sport basically on the subcontinent, can get hit then any sport can get hit and especially any big sporting tournaments or the Commonwealth Games maybe.”
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