Fennell apologises for injury to Ugandan officials

Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell on Thursday apologised for a freak accident resulting in injuries to three Ugandan officials, including the team's Chef de Mission, at the Games Village in the early hours of Wednesday.

"We regret that very much. It's being investigated. This has caused some damage to the officials. Security has been raised," Fennell said at the customary morning media conference.

Uganda's Chef De Mission William Tumwine, Administrative Officer Iren and Press Attache Juliet were injured when the official Games car they were in put the breaks suddenly and hit the hi-tech underground sharp metal stoppers that had sprung up as they were entering the Village.

Giving details about the incident, OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot said there were four persons inside the car (including the driver).

"The were taken to the Village polyclinic and an MRI was done before they were shifted to a hospital (G B Pant Eye hospital) outside the Village."

It was learnt that all three have been discharged after being given treatment.

Incidentally, Fennell first thought it were the Pakistani officials who were injured but later he was corrected.

There was also a query at the conference about whether the Games organisers were taking moral responsibility of a worker who was reported in the foreign media to be in critical condition after being injured in the footbridge collapse near the Jawaharlal Stadium prior to the start of the Games.

Fennell said the CGF were not directly involved with that.

"The federation is not directly involved with that. It was done by a contractor. I asked about the welfare of the workers who were injured. I have been assured that they were taken care of. I am not aware of anybody being criticially ill."

OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi put the onus on the Delhi government saying, "Delhi Government has to look into this. Anyway I will check up."

Bhanot put the responsibility on individual athletes deciding not to take the official transport to and fro from the Village to the Stadium when queried about weightlifting gold medal winner Renu Bala Chanu being forced to take an autorickshaw after her event yesterday.

The organising secretary general said the athletes were looked after properly.

"We are providing athletes buses to go to the stadium and come back. We also give permission (to go out) after getting a requistion. She never asked for anything. She went with her parents. If they ask for any help we provide them," Bhanot said.