CGF’s hackles rise over rugby practice venues
A special team of the Commonwealth Games Federation, which went on an inspection of the Games venues on Saturday, has asked the Delhi government and the Organising Committee to give explanation as to why the Rugby practice ground in the Delhi University premises is not ready yet.
The team had arrived in Delhi on Thursday as a part of a delegation with the CGF chief Mike Fennell. Meanwhile, OC officials pointed out that they have done arrangements for Rugby practice at the Jamia Millia Islamia practice stadium. However, CGF team told the OC and Delhi government that the participating rugby teams are disappointed with the practice venues.
Talking to this newspaper, a senior OC official on Saturday said that special arrangements for rugby practice have been made at the Jamia practice stadium and the visiting players do not have problems practising there. However, the visiting CGF officials have clearly stated that they are disappointed with the status of DU practice stadium.
The venues for rugby training, which are still under construction in the Delhi University premises, were promised to be delivered by December 2009. However, the deadline was missed many times since then.
“After missing the first deadline, they promised to deliver the venue within 15 days and then pushed it by a fortnight. It was promised to be completed by March, then June and so on,” said a senior DU official.
While the athletes have started arriving and just a week is left for the opening ceremony, the construction of the training venues is under the scanner, said a CVC official who added that the CVC has also sought explanations on the delay.
The practice venues were to be constructed at Hindu College, Ramjas, St. Stephen’s, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Daulat Ram, SGTB Khalsa and Kirori Mal College. The work on some playgrounds has been completed but installation of security gadgets like CCTV cameras, blockage of sewer and clearing of debris are yet to be done, confessed a city government official.
“The players would reach the ground only after seeing the facilities outside. What impression are we going to give them with such a mess,” said a DU official, who has been involved in the construction work of the practice venues.
Meanwhile, the principals of the colleges have so far chosen to remain silent on the issue. “I cannot comment on the issue,” said Dr Rajendra Prasad, principal, Ramjas College. Vinay Kumar Shrivastav, principal, Hindu College stated, “I am not aware about the present situation.” Talking to the media, DU vice-chancellor Deepak Pental, said: “I am not watching it anymore. An IAS officer has been deputed there who is looking after it. Yes, they are slow with fixing external things.”
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