Get safety certificate before moving into stadiums, CGOC told

Published>Mon, Aug 02 10 06:37 PM

New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS) Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief executive officer Mike Hooper Monday sought clarification from the 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) on the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) report on the safety of the venues and also asked it to get a safety certificate from the venue owners before taking over the stadiums.

Talking to IANS, Hooper said: 'The CGF is concerned with the CVC report and the organising committee has been asked to clarify on the CVC report. Basically, we need assurances as does the organising committee. We need assurances from the venue owners which are basically government agencies that all venues fully comply with the government of India laws, and all sanctions and sign offs on it are appropriately obtained.'

'It is an alarming situation and we will take all necessary steps to ensure a safe Games. But the onus is on the organising committee to make sure that all venues are safe for athletes and the spectators.'

Last week the CVC had put 16 Games projects under the scanner including the Games Village swimming pool, training hall, and athletic track, among others, which are the responsibility of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the renovation of Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and SPM swimming pool - Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the upgrade of Talkatora Stadium under New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and a few other projects undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

Hooper said that the CVC report was extremely disappointing for the CGF with just two months left for the Oct 3-14 Games.

'We have read reports of forged certificates, leaking roofs, broken tiles and seepages in the venues and CGF is upset with all such reports. With two months left, the Commonwealth Games can all but afford such negative publicity,' he said.

Hooper said the CGF board will meet here Aug 18 to sort out the issues.

'We have to look forward. The organising committee led by Suresh Kalmadi also shares our concerns and at the board meeting we will be discussing all these issues. We have to make sure that all the protocols are strictly followed,' he said.

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