Sat, Sep 25 10 02:28 AM
Northern Ireland followed England, Wales and Scotland on Friday in giving their athletes approval to travel to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
After days of negative publicity over the poor state of the athletes' village and fears over health and security issues, Northern Ireland's Commonwealth Games Council said they were satisfied conditions had improved sufficiently.
"Board members of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council (NICGC) met this evening and endorsed the team's attendance at the 2010 Delhi Games," a statement said.
"This decision was based upon the most recent information supplied by the Council's representatives in India together with their recommendation.
"There are ongoing concerns regarding the condition of some of the infrastructure but it is acknowledged that progress has been made over the last few days.
"These developments have allowed our representatives to take up residence within the allotted accommodation block."
The statement said they had been given assurances by local organisers that the athletes' village would be ready when the Northern Ireland team arrive on Tuesday.
"Based upon these assurances, the Council is pleased to endorse the decision that the team will depart for Delhi as planned," it said.
Reports of an outbreak of dengue fever in Delhi after heavy rains that have flooded parts of the athletes' village and the collapse of an access bridge had raised serious concerns about the Games with several high-profile athletes pulling out.
English and Welsh athletes have already begun arriving in India after their initially-concerned officials gave the go-ahead while Scotland also declared earlier on Friday that they were satisfied.
Source: Published>
0 comments:
Post a Comment