Team officials give thumbs-up to CWG Village

Officials from Jersey, Cameroon and Trinidad and Tobago seemed satisfied with the condition of their respective residential towers and said things are getting better and better with every passing day.

"We are happy with our residential block. It's good and there are no hygiene or cleanliness related issues. Things are getting better every day with officials working round the clock," Moundi Bouba, Medical Personnel, Cameroon told PTI.

"Good arrangements have been made by the organisers. 16 athletes and four team officials from Cameroon are staying at the Games village at present. We have not found anything to complain about," said Michel Nkolo, another team official from Cameroon.
Severe delays in the completion of work in the Village forced Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell to contact the Indian authorities and urge them to finish work on accommodation.

Fennell said advance parties from the international Commonwealth Games Associations had been impressed with the international zone and main dining area within the village, but the condition of the residential zone shocked the majority of them.

Dianne Huddlestone, wife of Jersey's chef de mission Paul Huddlestone and staying at the village as an accompanying guest, said security arrangements, dining, cleaning of the residential complexes, all have been taken care of by the organisers.

"We are staying at tower number 7 and occupying nine flats. We moved here four days back and I'm enjoying every minute of my stay. Organisers have offered big living area to us. Security has also been taken due care by the concerned officials. It's just amazing to be here.

"Food is of excellent quality. I'm gorging on fish curry, vegetable curry and naan bread. It's just great. We are five people staying at the village at present and 52 athletes will arrive here on Wednesday," Huddlestone said.

Paul Newallo, team official, Trinidad and Tobago, said condition at the village is getting better and the organisers are trying their best to meet the deadlines.
"We are satisfied with the efforts organisers are putting in to get certain things done on time. Although our living area is still incomplete they are trying their best. In 2-3 days, our second batch of athletes are likely to arrive in India and then we all move in here," Newallo said.

At present, 25 Trinidad and Tobago athletes, including team officials, are staying at Hotel Ashok. Cycling, boxing, archery and shooting teams have arrived and two hockey teams, netball, track and field teams are scheduled to arrive here by Wednesday.

"Our athletes are enjoying dal and rice very much including some good vegetable curries. Hopefully, India will shine as a host nation and we are looking forward to the start of the Games," Newallo added.

The build-up to the Games has been plagued by problems with construction of venues and infrastructure falling behind schedule, allegations of wide-scale corruption in awarding contracts and foreign delegates raising doubts over security and safety of the athletes.