Delhi should have been better-prepared for CWG: Crosswhite

Melbourne: For a country of over a billion, India should have been better-placed just 45 days before the Commonwealth Games, feels Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief Perry Crosshwhite but he believes Delhi would get over the scandal-marred build-up to pull off a successful show.

"You have to say you`re disappointed because this is a fantastic thing for India ... 1.2 billion people and wouldn`t it be fantastic that everyone could have a great feeling about these games," Crosswhite told reporters today. "There`s still a possibility of that happening, but you would have hoped they`d be in better shape at this point in time," he added. Asked whether he thought Delhi could get its act together in time to host the October 3 to 14 event, Crosswhite said, "I do." The venues may still wear a look of incompletion but Crosswhite said main stadium, the shooting range, the velodrome, gymnastics, wrestling and weightlifting arenas are "all pretty much there". "In the next day, they expect to get sign off on the safety issues in buildings and an update on security assessment," he said. Crosswhite also defended Australian firm Sports Marketing and Management (SMAM), which was sacked by the Delhi organisers for "non-performance", and businessman Craig McLatchey whose company Event Knowledge Services has been accused of corruption. "Both companies are beyond reproach as far I`m concerned," he said. "A lot of things should have been done earlier and I guess they are looking for scapegoats," Crosswhite added. PTI