NZOC confident of successful CWG but wants security assurances

New Zealand foresees a successful CWG but their Olympic Committee has sought assurances on security.

Wellington: Corruption scandals and construction delays notwithstanding, New Zealand foresees Delhi hosting a successful Commonwealth Games come October but the country`s Olympic Committee has still sought assurances on security at the venues.

"Athlete safety and security continues to be our highest priority," New Zealand Olympic Committee President Mike Stanley was quoted as saying in the local media. "We are aware that water leaks and other building issues have occurred in some of the venues and that there have been reports that compliance certification may not have been adequate. We are pushing hard for assurances in these areas," he said. Stanley said NZOC officials raised these issues during a meeting to discuss security for the Games in Delhi. "At the recent conference New Zealand security officials received a greater level of detail around the systems to protect our athletes in Delhi. The New Zealand government continues to monitor the situation closely at the very highest levels and reported progress," he said. Despite the concerns, Stanley hoped Delhi Games Organising Committee would meet international expectations during the October 3 to 14 event."Pack your bags, and be ready to go," Stanley said when asked what he had to say to the 195 Kiwi athletes set to participate in the Games.” "If there goal is to be in the best shape they can by in, keep training. I think it will be an outstanding Games, the Indians will be very very generous hosts," he said. Stanley said Delhi was facing a situation similar to what Athens encountered before it hosted the 2004 Olympics. "It does bring to mind the Athens Olympic Games. The venues were very behind the month before the Games opened, and we had concerns around competition management - however in the end they were delivered and Greece hosted a successful Games.”"We are in a similar situation with India and have confidence that these Games too will be concluded successfully," he said. With less than two months to go, the Delhi Games have been rocked by countless controversies, including corruption charges and shoddy construction work at the venues. PTI