No nation will pull out of Delhi Games: Kalmadi

Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Thursday said he is happy with the progress made in the Games Village as it got ready to welcome the first of the 7000 athletes and team officials who will reside there during the mega-event.

"As many as 121 Indian athletes and team officials from five disciplines and 17 Indian Para Sport athletes and team officials are slated to check into the Games Village this evening. I am sure that they will find the Village in good condition," Kalmadi said, having overseen the deployment of an extra workforce.

"I spent time at the Village this morning and am happy with the progress made by my team, with the support of Government agencies, in bringing up all 32 towers in the Village's Residential Zone to standards that would be acceptable to all our honoured visitors," he said. "The first overseas teams are expected tomorrow.

"We believe there will be no serious complaints anymore. And we believe that no teams will pull out of the Games," he said. "I am happy to note that we have already completed Delegation Registration Meetings with 21 teams. More will be completed in the coming days. I have met the Chefs de Missions and Team Managers from these teams.

"The training facilities, athletes dining hall and International Zone are all world class and the Residential Zone, especially some of the newer buildings, has had some problems because of the copious rain that Delhi has received this season. We are making good progress," Kalmadi said before leaving for the airport to receive Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell.

The CGF president is due to visit the Games Village on Friday morning.

The Indian contingent that is due to check into the Village later on Thursday include archery (17), hockey men (20) and women (20), lawn bowls (21), gymnastics (21) and weightlifting (23) besides the 17 Para Sport athletes and team officials.