Venues disappoint Games CEO
India’s failure to ensure that all the Commonwealth Games venues and the athletes’ village comply with safety norms could jeopardise the organisation of the event, according to Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper.
He said the organisers have allowed “things to go down to the wire.” Acknowledging that considerable work still needs to be done, Hooper said they are yet to receive confirmation from the Organising Committee that the village or any of the venues are structurally safe and sound and that failure to do so could place one or two sporting events in danger.
Thousands of athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations will start arriving on September 16 to take up residence in the Games village and to start training at the venues.
“Things are surely going to go down to the wire. It’s a battle against time. If the Organising Committee failed to provide the safety certifications on time, if we can’t get the documentation of the Games village and the venues on time, then a particular event or so may be in trouble,” Hooper said.
“Whether it’s about venue safety at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium or any other stadium, clearly we are all aware of the CVC report last month and implications of that report suggest sub-standard materials and fabricated case results. That’s a matter of concern to us,” he said.
“Despite many promises made by the government agencies to deliver the documentation to validate and verify all the buildings standards have been met, fire safety certificates have been issued, we (CGF) still have not been able to get them and that still remains a cause of great concern to us,” Hooper told Karan Thapar in Devil’s Advocate programme.
“You can’t occupy the venue unless you have building completion certificates. People are due to arrive at the Games village from September 16. They can’t occupy the Games village unless the building certification is not there. They can’t go to the venue unless venues certification is not there,” he said.
In late July, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had cited suspected sub-standard building practices at a number of Games’ venues and in its report accused construction firms of inflating their costs.
The CVC inspected 15 sporting venues and found fabricated case material and evidences that regulatory approvals had been forged. The CGF responded by asking the government agencies concerned to provide building certificates by August 18 that confirm all of the venues are safe to operate, a deadline missed by the authorities.
It was decided to provide the required documentation by August 31, but officials failed to do so. Hooper said without the building certificates, he is unable to allay any fears from countries participating in the Games and that he has been assured by OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi to get them early next week. “I am hopeful that based on the discussion with Kalmadi, we will soon have them, may be next week... They (OC) should have it by now. They should follow the international rules,” Hooper, a strong critic of the Delhi Games earlier, said.
On the issue that there could be serious damage to the athletic track at JLN stadium, Hooper said if there is any damage to the track then it will have to be re-certified by the IAAF before the event.
