New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) After being in denial mode for weeks, Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi Saturday owned up to the mess surrounding the Oct 3-14 event, but deflected this somewhat by saying the infrastructure had not been delivered on time by the government agencies.

On his part, Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell blew hot and cold, saying the controversies around the Games had dented India's image but that "we all have to share the blame".

The Prime Minister's office (PMO) too stepped in once again, denying reports that Manmohan Singh had pulled up the Group of Ministers (GOM) in charge of the Commonwealth Games for the delays and the shoddy work regarding the event. A statement issued by the PMO said: "Such reports are misleading".

On his part, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma criticised nations like Australia, New Zealand, Canada and England for finger-pointing at the manner in which India was handling the Commonwealth Games, the country's biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asiad, and warned that they may have to pay a price in terms of business opportunities in the emerging economy.

Addressing a packed media conference at the swanky Main Press Centre of the Commonwealth Games, Kalmadi said: "The role of the Organising Commitee is the conduct of the Games. I am not involved in the construction. Construction is not my responsibility. Yes, monitoring is my responsibility. As OC chairman, we take all the blame on us. But venues were handed to us late."

When prodded by the foreign media, Kalmadi shot back that not everything was hunky dory at previous Games like in Manchester in 2002.

"In Manchester in 2002, we stayed at a University. We never complained. You have seen the venues here. They are world class, they are as good as Melbourne. The Games Village is fine. Yes, there are some issues with the Village, but the international zone, the food, the kitchen are good," he insisted.

"There were some problems with some of the towers and the cleaning up is being done. We are trying our best. You talk to me after the Games," said a beleaguered Kalmadi with Michael Fennell and CGF CEO Michael Hooper sitting by his side.

"We still have eight days to go and we will in another couple of days finish all the work."

Asked why work at the Village lagged behind, Kalmadi said: "I don't think the OC is responsible for it. The last 18 towers were handed to us just three days back and we have been working on these Games for the last few years. I wish all the venues were handed over to me earlier. We would have done a better work."

Addressing the same press conference, Fennell said "damage" has been done to India's image and hoped that lessons have been "learnt" from the controversies surrounding the preparations.

"A lot of damage has been done to India. People are asking: 'Should we come to India?' India is the largest Commonwealth country. At the end of this all, India would have learnt a lesson. And we have also learnt our lessons working with a country like India," Fennell maintained.

"We all have to share the blame. We will work together to see that everything falls in place. Yes, we all have had problems. We will be overcoming these problems. On hindsight, a number of these things could have been avoided. We have to take necessary corrective measures."

Fennell also said he was happy with the efforts put in the last couple of days and hoped that India will be able to pull it off. "Considerable progress has been made since the prime minister has asked the Cabinet Secretary to look into it."

"But there are concerns which remain, mainly related to cleanliness," he said.

"What is clear is that the massive amount of work being done now ought to have been done before. What we are concentrating on now is to get it ready so that the teams can enjoy best comforts," he said.

Pointing out at the concerns expressed by the chefs de mission, he outlined that a series of work including transport, security arrangements, fire safety and technological problems like Wi-Fi connections still remained to be resolved.

Fennell lauded the food arrangements and the international centre at the Village.

"The international centre is finished and in good shape. The food is excellent, which is very important for preparing athletes."

The statement issued by the PMO said: "The prime minister has seen reports in a section of the media that he 'pulled up' the Group of Ministers in charge of the Commonwealth Games. Such reports are misleading."

The prime minister "appreciates the difficult job the GOM has on its hands". "He has been encouraging the ministers and officers concerned to work together extra time to make the Games a success," the statement added.

Minister Anand Sharma told the media in Ottawa after meeting his Canadian counterpart Peter Van Loan: "It would be a mistake not to engage with India with respect. When it comes to business, whose loss would it be?"

Slamming the foreign media for "running a campaign" against India over its handling of the Games, the minister said: "Dated and frozen images, exaggeration, trying to run down a country is not acceptable to us."

A visibly angry Sharma said India is an emerging economic power as well as the largest democracy in the world and the Commonwealth.

Hitting out at the international athletes who have pulled out of the Games citing health and security reasons, Sharma said: "Maybe either they are not confident of winning the medals or they will lose out."

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Olympic Committee has announced that its team would participate in the Commonwealth Games.

The country's delegation, which looked into the situation at the Games' Village and also took stock of the safety measures for the athletes, gave its approval Friday night.

Some 7,000 participants and officials from 71 countries and territories are expected to attend the Commonwealth Games.
    
       
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