Fennell says nations 'shocked' at athletes' village

Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell on Tuesday demanded immediate action from the Indian government to fix what he called a "seriously compromised" athletes' village in New Delhi.

Advance parties from participating nations have been arriving in the Indian capital ahead of the troubled October 3-14 multi-sport Games and been "shocked" at what they have seen, he said in a statement.

"Many issues remain unresolved and as such last night (Monday) I wrote to the Indian cabinet secretary, expressing my great concern with the preparedness of the athletes village ...," he said.

"Many nations that have already sent their advanced parties to set up within the village have made it abundantly clear that, as of the afternoon of September 20, the Commonwealth Games Village is seriously compromised."

New Zealand officials are one of the team delegations already in New Delhi, and officials on Tuesday said that dirty and unhealthy conditions at the village were compromising the entire Games.

Chef de mission Dave Currie said large sections of the village were still not ready with the clock ticking to its official opening on Thursday.

"The reality is that if the village is not ready and athletes can't come, the implications are that it's not going to happen," Currie told New Zealand commercial radio, referring to the Games as a whole.

His warning came after Australian and New Zealand officials pointed to concerns about security following a gun attack Sunday in the Indian capital.

Fennell said the village was the cornerstone of any Games and athletes deserved the best possible environment to prepare.

"The condition of the residential zone has shocked the majority of Commonwealth Games Associations that are in Delhi," he said.

"Despite their attempts to work with the Organising Committee in a constructive manner since arriving on September 15, significant operational matters remain unaddressed."

He said problems had arisen because deadlines for the completion of the village had consistently been missed.

"Now, the high security around the site, while vital, is slowing progress and complicating solutions," he added.

"Security remains of the utmost importance to the CGF and our advisors continue to monitor the situation. Currently, this matter remains on track.

"However, with the village to be officially opened on September 23, timely acceptable solutions to prepare for the arrival of athletes are of paramount importance.

"The CGF has asked the cabinet secretary to immediately deploy the necessary resources to fix all the outstanding issues to an acceptable level."

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