Wed, Sep 22 10 10:32 PM
South Africa will go to the Commonwealth Games but will not hesitate to withdraw if the athletes' safety is compromised, authorities said on Wednesday.
India is scrambling to save the Games, due to start on Oct 3, after a string of problems that have prompted several top international athletes to pull out and brought ultimatums from some nations that they will withdraw unless conditions improve.
The Games have been dogged by health and security concerns, complaints over poor accommodation and the withdrawal of a number of high-profile athletes including Australia's discus world champion Dani Samuels and Britain's world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu.
Both athletes cited security concerns as the reason for their withdrawal.
Tubby Reddy, chief executive of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) said that his organisation was satisfied with preparations in India, following a report from a fact-finding team.
"Sascoc today met with the relevant state security personnel who have recently returned from India and we are satisfied that every area of our concern has been covered for now," Reddy said in a statement.
"As matters stand, the team will leave for India on Sunday, as scheduled. Upon arrival in Delhi we will once again assess the situation," he added.
Reddy said, however, that if the situation worsened South Africa could pull out of the Games.
"The safety and health of team South Africa are of paramount importance to us and if at any stage we feel that this is compromised then we will not hesitate to bring the team back home," he said.
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