IOC president says Commonwealth Games will be good

Singapore: IOC president Jacques Rogge predicted Tuesday that the Commonwealth Games in India will be

a success, despite preparations being overshadowed by corruption allegations and delays in venues being completed. Things have become so bad in India that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appointed a new group of ministers to oversee preparations, visit venues each week to monitor progress and ensure contractors meet fresh deadlines. The ministers were meeting in New Delhi on Sunday to plan how to hasten lagging preparations for the events beginning October 3 in the Indian capital. Rogge, however, blamed much of the problems on "pessimistic media" and said he the Commonwealth Games will showcase India`s ability to host big sporting events. "I`m optimistic in spite of everything written by pessimist media for the Commonwealth Games," Rogge said. "They will show the capacity of India to organize great games." Earlier this month, two top Indian officials were fired amid corruption allegations involving the Queen`s Baton Relay in London. Organizing committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, however, resisted calls for his resignation and the government also appeared unwilling to create more confusion by demanding he quit at this late stage. Singh also ordered "thorough investigations" into all complaints that have been received about irregularities in building standards, loss of revenue, or overpayments in handing out contracts. "All those found guilty should face severe and exemplary punishment," Singh said. However, punitive action against those responsible for the delays and charges of clearing substandard construction or other corrupt practices would only be taken after the games finish on October 14. "The public has a right to know the facts, and the ministers will ensure that timely and authentic information on the state of preparations and the remaining tasks is released to the public," the statement said. Faced with the embarrassing possibility of the venues not being ready on time, Singh asked for a weekly report from the ministers and ordered a top Cabinet official to coordinate daily monitoring of preparations. He will visit the stadiums at the end of August. Singh was forced to step in following mounting pressure from the national media and opposition parties in India demanding that the government take action against Kalmadi, who they hold primarily responsible for the delays and irregularities. Last week, India`s Central Vigilance Commission issued a report highlighting shoddy building practices and potential problems surrounding the certification of work on games sites. Construction delays have meant that none of the games venues would be finished before deadline. With infrastructure projects around the city also well behind schedule, the Indian capital is in a race against time to be ready to host the Oct. 3-14 Commonwealth Games _ the biggest sporting event in the country since the 1982 Asian Games. Bureau Report