Sep. 29:

• 'CWG stadium sting dishonest'  
• Chidambaram briefed on Games preparations, security  
• Athletes can participate in CWG after suspension lifted: WADA  
• CWG volunteers theme song launched  
• More pour into Games Village, Chidambaram reviews security (Night Lead)  
• Semenya likely to participate in the Games (Lead)  
• Some African players move into CWG village, others wait for clean rooms (Lead)  
• Indian-origin Canadian hockey captain ready for tough challenge  
• Over 3,100 athletes in Delhi for CWG  
• South African athletes move into CWG Village  
• South Africa's world champion pulls out of CWG  
• Australia's CWG contingent to be the largest: Envoy  
• Wholesome praise for CWG, Chidambaram reviews security (Evening Lead)  
• Athletes soak in sun, music at Games Village (Games Snippets)  
• Zeeshan to lead Pakistan men's hockey team in CWG  
• Commonwealth Express to reach Delhi Wednesday  
• Games will not suffer because of pullouts: Oz chef de mission  
• Australians now full of praise for Games Village (Afternoon Lead)  
• Nigerian chef de mission happy with Games facilities  
• Harbhajan Singh doubtful for Mohali Test  
• Hang me if I'm proved guilty: Kalmadi  

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New Delhi, Sep 29- Popular Australian TV channel ABC claimed that the alleged sting operation by another Channel Seven on alleged security lapse at the Commonwealth Games was "ridiculous and dishonest", but the latter has threatened to sue them.

ABC's Media Watch Monday night highlighted loopholes in Seven News reporter Mike Duffy's report, which received worldwide coverage on the lack of security for the Commonwealth Games.

The channel said that when the "filming was done, full Games security was not yet in operation" and said the "entire stunt ridiculous and dishonest".

Media Watch host Paul Barry alleged that Duffy's suitcase was empty anyway when he walked into the stadium area and indicated that the reporter manipulated the whole episode, ABC claimed in its report.

The channel Seven crew had conducted a sting operation that was broadcast last week. They had claimed that they were able to walk in carrying a large trolley suitcase having explosives capable of triggering up to 200 explosions if fitted with a detonator.

The news crew said they were easily able to obtain a detonator and ammonium nitrate from the capital, adding to a slew of allegations that preparations for the mega event had not been up to the mark.

Soon after ABC report, Seven Network reporter Mike Duffy said he was "suing ABC TV's Media Watch for defamation" and are "retaining the nation's top lawyer in the field, Mark O'Brien".

The Delhi Police had also called the sting operation motivated. "It was deliberately planted as the reporter does not even know that ammonium nitrate is a fertilizer and a non-prohibited item for sale in India."

"There is no lock down in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium security as yet. Security will be bolstered with additional deployment after the complete lock down and substantially more during Games time," the police had said.
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Chidambaram briefed on Games preparations, security  

New Delhi, Sep 29 - Home Minister P. Chidambaram was Tuesday evening briefed by Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna about the steps being taken to improve the condition at the "filthy" Games Village and also the security measures put in place for the Commonwealth Games.

According to a government official, the overall preparations at the Games Village, constructed by the Delhi Development Authority of which Khanna is a chairman, was discussed during the meeting.

Chidambaram also asked the L-G to visit the Games Village to oversee the preparations there.

The Games Village has drawn flak from some officials of the participating nations for being "filthy".
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Athletes can participate in CWG after suspension lifted: WADA  


New Delhi, Sep 28 - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Tuesday clarified that the athletes who had tested positive for methylhexnamine can participate in the Commonwealth Games as the provisional suspension has been lifted following the shifting of the drug from the non-specified to the specified category.

Twelve Indian athletes tested positive, out of which seven were part of the Games team. They were provisionally suspended but once WADA shifted methylhexanamine from non-specified to specified category, the suspension was lifted by National Anti Doping Agency (NADA).

The hearing of the athletes by the three-member anti-doping panel ended without any conclusion Monday. NADA said their next hearing will now take place Oct 21.

"As advised by WADA, the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel took notice of this change in status and in its hearing of the cases, withdrew the provisional suspension imposed by NADA on these athletes. However, the panel is still hearing the cases on merits for final decision," NADA director-general Rahula Bhatnagar said in a press statement.

Bhatnagar said they sought WADA's clarification regarding the provisional suspension of the athletes and their participation in the Commonwealth Games.

"WADA has indicated in their clarification that if the provisional suspension has been lifted, the athletes are not suspended anymore. Therefore, provided they meet the requirements set by the Commonwealth Games, they see no impediment to their participation.

"Further according to WADA, the process would benefit from an expedited hearing prior to the beginning of the Games, which would clarify the situation."

Wrestlers Rajiv Tomar, Mausam Khatri, Sumit and Gursharanpreet Kaur, shot putter Shaurabh Vij's, swimmers Richa Misra and Jyotsana Pansare were in the Commonwealth Games squad but were provisionally suspended.
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CWG volunteers theme song launched  

New Delhi, Sep 28 - 'Delhi United', the theme song for the volunteer programme of the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games was launched here Tuesday.

The song, composed by the seven-member Tapasya band of the Manav Rachna International University (MRIU), is titled 'Delhi United In Spirit...In Action'.

The team comprises band manager Rohit Chaudhry, guitarist and lead singer Gaurav Sharma, guitarists Deepanshu Bhoj and Aman Bhatnagar, keyboard player Akshay Gauri, drummer Akash Sharma and female vocalist Apurva Grover.

"We began working on the song in July. The song is for the masses and has a local feel. We hope the song will connect to people's heart," MRIU vice president Amit Bhalla said.
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More pour into Games Village, Chidambaram reviews security (Night Lead)  


New Delhi, Sep 28 - As the Indian capital prepared to host the Commonwealth Games only five days away, 850 athletes and officials poured into the Games Village Tuesday, taking to 3,100 the population of the much maligned complex that is now winning high praise from almost everyone.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram meanwhile reviewed final security arrangements for the Village and the various venues where the Games are to begin Sunday until the closing ceremony Oct 14.

For a change, one delegation after another -- including the Australians, who were the harshest critics until now -- heaped accolades on the sprawling Village that will house some 7,000 athletes and officials from 71 countries and territories.

But diplomats from some countries said they still had concerns regarding the cleanliness of the Village, a mammoth complex built at the edge of the Yamuna river.

Canadian Susan Nattrass, a six-time Olympian and seven-time world trap shooting champion, was among the athletes who arrived Tuesday. She has two Commonwealth silver and three bronze medals to her credit.

Jamaican Ricardo Cunningham, an 800 metres specialist, and the fancied Australian women's hockey team, winners of three Olympic gold medals and five World Cup titles, also flew into New Delhi.

Northern Ireland, New Zealand, England and Australia were among the other countries whose athletes arrived Tuesday.

Australian chef de mission Steve Moneghetti said he was "fully satisfied" with the Games Village.

"We are happy with everything at the Village... We are happy with the traffic. I haven't received a single complaint from the athletes about the Village. Accommodation is perfect, the dining area excellent," Moneghetti, who was mayor of the Melbourne Village in 2006, told IANS.

Nigerian delegation head Elias Usman Gora echoed him. Nigerian athletes are "very happy and impressed" with the facilities, have started training, and are optimistic about winning medals, he said.

Lesotho is, however, still not happy with the Games Village.

"We have an advanced team sitting in the Village, and they are pushing the people on the cleaning. Hopefully, by the the time the team arrives tomorrow, they should be ready," Lesotho High Commissioner Shabbir Hoosen Peerbhai told IANS.

As Delhi Police enforced the Games exclusive lane travel system in many parts of the city, it caused the inevitable traffic jams. But many others said they were happy to see disciplined motorists on Delhi's otherwise chaotic roads.

Chidambaram met with his officials amid concerns that terrorists could target the event.

The meting was attended by Home Secretary G.K. Pillai, chiefs of the Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing, Delhi Police commissioner Y.S. Dadwal and officials dealing with CWG security and internal security.

Chidambaram later toured the 24X7 Control Room for the Games, set up in North Block, which houses the home ministry.

Since Monday, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were deployed in Delhi's skies to detect aerial intrusions. Army helicopters also hovered over the Games Village.

In New York, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said that India looked forward to welcoming and hosting participants of the Commonwealth Games.

"India eagerly looks forward to welcoming sportspersons and officials ... to Delhi," Krishna told foreign ministers of Commonwealth countries Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Preparations are in full swing at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the heart of the Indian capital for the grand opening ceremony where composer and Oscar winner A.R. Rahman will perform Oct 3.

But India's famed Bollywood quotient will take a back seat, giving primacy to the country's cultural heritage.

The opening ceremony will involve dances, drums, music, yoga, textiles, the sights, sounds and colours of India, encapsulating 5,000 years of culture.
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Semenya likely to participate in the Games (Lead)  

Sydney, Sep 28 - South African women's 800m world champion Caster Semenya is still training for the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games even as doubts linger over her participation in the mega event.

Semenya's coach Michael Seme had sparked fears of her pullout after he reported on her back pain during the training. He, however, sounded optimistic Tuesday.

"She is still coming to India," Seme told the Sydney Morning Herald. "She has some back pain, but we are still preparing for the Commonwealth Games. The time for preparation has been very short, but she will still be in Delhi."

Earlier, South Africa's men's 800m world champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi had been ruled out of the Commonwealth Games due to a hamstring injury.

Tubby Reddy, CEO of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), has said no athlete will be allowed to skip the Games and the ones who are claiming injury will be medically examined, the Sport 24 website reported.

The Games have suffered high-profile pullouts with Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Phillips Idowu, David Rudisha and John Steffensen deciding not to show up in Delhi. Australian champion discus thrower Dani Samuels and four world-class British cyclists, including world champion Geraint Thomas, also decided against going to Delhi over health and security concerns.
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Some African players move into CWG village, others wait for clean rooms (Lead)  

New Delhi, Sep 28 - While most of the countries participating in the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games are satisfied with the facilities at the Games Village, diplomats of some African nations are monitoring "day-by-day" the cleaning up of the apartments, hoping they will be ready for their players’ arrival in the next day or two.

"We have an advanced team sitting in the Village, and they are pushing the people on the cleaning. Hopefully by the team arrives tomorrow (Wednesday), they should be ready," Lesotho High Commissioner Shabbir Hoosen Peerbhai told IANS.

"Things are being decided day-by-day," Peerbhai said, on whether the teams will go straight from the airport to the Village.

"The deal is that if the rooms are not ready, they will be checking into Ashoka Hotel first," he added.

When asked if other African nations also have the same issues, Peerbhai said: "Most of us are in the same boat."

Meanwhile, South African athletes checked into the Village Tuesday.

"The teams moved into the Village in two different batches. The first batch moved in between five and six this evening. The next batch moved in at seven. The village is very comfortable and we are very happy with the developments," the South African contingent's media spokesperson Mark Keohane told IANS.

One hundred and fifty athletes and 230 officers were earlier accommodated in a five-star hotel after they complained of deficiencies in the Village.

"All our athletes have started to train at the facilities," Keohane added.

The Nigerian chef de mission Elias Usman Gora also said his country's participants are "very happy and impressed" with the Commonwealth Games facilities, have started training there and are optimistic about winning medals at the ten-day sporting event.

"Our six coaches who visited the facilities are very happy and impressed, so are our participants. They have started training already and we will work towards winning medals at the Games," Gora told IANS.

The Nigerian coaches inspected the Games facilities Monday evening and submitted a report to Gora on the safety, security and health aspects.

Nigeria has sent 104 participants and 54 officials for the Commonwealth Games.

On Monday, Gora had termed the Games Village "the best ever".

"The rooms are the best ever provided in any other Commonwealth Games. The food is also great. The international zone is a great place," he said.

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Indian-origin Canadian hockey captain ready for tough challenge  

New Delhi, Sep 28 -For Canada's veteran hockey captain Ken Pereira, the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games will be special. He is the first team sport player to be the flag bearer of his nation and that too in the country of his origin, India.

Earlier this year in the World Cup, Ken led the Canadian team to pull off an upset by defeating four-time world champions Pakistan. He is promising a few more upsets in the Delhi Games.

Though Canada finished a disappointing 11th in the World Cup, Ken feels the experience will carry his team through in the 10-team tournament. Canada is grouped with European champions England, New Zealand, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago in Pool B.

"It is a great moment for me. I am the first athlete of a team sport, who has been selected to carry the flag. My parents will be here for the opening ceremony and I can't wait for the Games to begin," said Ken, a veteran of more than 300 international outings.

Ken, whose roots are in the Calangute town in nothern Goa, knows that his team faces tough challenge from England and New Zealand.

"We have to take one match at a time. England and New Zealand are always the team to beat. So it is very important to have a good start in the opening game against South Africa. We have seven players in the team, who were part of the World Cup and that will help us again," he said.

Asked if four matches in six days will be tough for his team, Ken said: "Yes, it will be tough, but we can't help. It is the same for all the teams, but I will enjoy the heat."

Ken said that Canada will be looking to finish among the top five in the Games.

"During the World Cup, we caused an upset by defeating Pakistan. Who knows, this time we may upset some bigger teams. We are looking to finish among the top five in the tournament," he said.
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Over 3,100 athletes in Delhi for CWG  

New Delhi, Sep 28 - Over 3,100 Indian and foreign athletes have arrived here for the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games. Around 850 athletes arrived Tuesday.

Canadian Susan Nattrass, a six-time Olympian and seven-time world trap shooting champion, was among the athletes who arrived Tuesday. She has two silver and three bronze medals in the Games to her credit.

The Jamaican contingent comprising Allodin Fothergill (men's 400 metres), Lerone Clarke (men's 100m), Oshane Bailey, who held the No.1 position for 100 metres at the Reebok Grand Prix in 2009 and Ricardo Cunningham, an 800 metres specialist has also arrived, an Organising Committee press statement said.

Also in Delhi is the Australian women's hockey team, winners of three Olympic gold medals, five World Cup titles, three Commonwealth Games medals and 12 Champions Trophy titles.

Malaysia had 93 more athletes and officials coming in, the largest contingent Tuesday. These athletes will participate in archery, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, badminton and weightlifting. Northern Ireland, New Zealand, England and Australia were among the countries whose athletes arrived this day.

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South African athletes move into CWG Village  


New Delhi, Sep 28 -Saying they were "very happy" with the facilities, South African athletes checked into the Commonwealth Games Village Tuesday, five days ahead of the Oct 3-14 mega sporting event.

"The teams moved into the Village in two different batches. The first batch moved in between five and six this evening. The next batch moved in at seven. The village is very comfortable and we are very happy with the developments," the South African contingent's media spokesperson Mark Keohane told IANS.

One hundred and fifty athletes and 230 officer were earlier accommodated in a five-star hotel after they complained of deficiencies in the Village.

"All our athletes have started to train at the facilities," Keohane added.
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South Africa's world champion pulls out of CWG  


Johannesburg, Sep 28 - South Africa's world champion men's 800m runner Mbulaeni Mulaudzi has been ruled out of the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games due to a hamstring injury.

South Africa's women's 800m world champion Caster Semenya, still recovering from a back injury, is already in doubt for the Games.

Tubby Reddy, CEO of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has said no athlete will be allowed to skip the Games and the ones who are claiming injury will be tested for the same, the Sport 24 website reported.

A lot of athletes have pulled out of the Games. Australian champion discus thrower Dani Samuels of Australia and four world-class British cyclists including world champion Geraint Thomas decided against coming to Delhi over health and security reasons.

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Australia's CWG contingent to be the largest: Envoy  

New Delhi, Sep 28 - After being one of the harshest critics of India's preparations for the Commonwealth Games, Australia Tuesday said it will be fielding the single largest contingent at the Oct 3-14 event.

"We will field the single largest contingent at the Games. More than 600 athletes will arrive by next week," Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese said delivering a lecture organized by the Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Verghese added that India's CWG problems were "redressable".

"The problems that India is facing where the Games are concerned are redressable," he said.

Varghese said the Games would provide an opportunity for further growth with India preparing for other major sporting events like the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Australia had earlier raised concerns on security and infrastructure preparedness. It had also issued a travel advisory concerning security issues for its citizens visiting India.
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Wholesome praise for CWG, Chidambaram reviews security (Evening Lead)  


New Delhi, Sep 28 - With five days to go for the Commonwealth Games, the much-maligned Games Village came in for wholesome praise from visitors as Home Minister P. Chidambaram reviewed final security arrangements.

For a change, one delegation after another -- including the Australians, who were the harshest critics until now -- heaped accolades on the sprawling Village that will house some 7,000 athletes and officials from 71 countries and territories who are pouring in for the Oct 3-14 event.

"We are happy with everything at the Village... We are happy with the traffic. I haven't received a single complaint from the athletes about the Village. Accommodation is perfect, the dining area excellent," said the Australian chef de mission Steve Moneghetti.

"The only worry is the movement of our athletes has been restricted (due to security reasons)," Moneghetti, who was mayor of the Melbourne Village in 2006, told IANS.

His Nigerian counterpart Elias Usman Gora spoke in similar vein.

Nigerian athletes are "very happy and impressed" with the Games facilities, have started training and are optimistic about winning medals, he said.

With the clock ticking away for India's biggest sporting meet after the 1982 Asian Games, the Village is full of life -- with many busy practising and preparing for the contest.

Chidambaram met with his officials amid concerns within and outside the country that terrorists could target the event.

The meting was attended by Home Secretary G.K. Pillai, chiefs of the Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing, Delhi Police commissioner Y.S. Dadwal and officials dealing with CWG security and internal security.

"Everything is looked after," a confident Dadwal told reporters.

Chidambaram later toured the 24X7 Control Room for the Games, set up in North Block, which houses the home ministry.

As the police enforced the CWG exclusive lane travel system for Games participants, Delhi's harried commuters were stuck in many traffic jams in various parts of the city.

Since Monday, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were deployed in Delhi's skies to detect aerial intrusions. Army helicopters hovered over the Games Village, where some 2,000 athletes and officials have checked in.

In New York, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said that India looked forward to welcoming and hosting participants of the Commonwealth Games.

"India eagerly looks forward to welcoming sportspersons and officials ... to Delhi," Krishna told foreign ministers of Commonwealth countries Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Preparations are in full swing at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the heart of the Indian capital for the grand opening ceremony where composer and Oscar winner A.R. Rahman will perform Oct 3.

But India's famed Bollywood quotient will take a back seat, giving primacy to the country's cultural heritage.

The opening ceremony will involve dances, drums, music, yoga, textiles, the sights, sounds and colours of India, encapsulating 5,000 years of culture.

"Everything is fine. The rehearsals are on in full swing, everything is ready - the stage, the sound and lights… we are ready," Viraf Sarkari, director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

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Athletes soak in sun, music at Games Village (Games Snippets)  


New Delhi, Sep 28 - From a leisurely walk in the autumn sun to foot-tapping music at dance rehearsals, many of the 2,000 athletes and officials already in the Commonwealth Games Village find they have a lot to soak in at the international zone.

Most overseas athletes love the September sun in Delhi and the slight nip in the air as they walk around the sprawling Village. The colourful dance rehearsals draw a number of them. The music lends a carnival-like touch.

Indian handicrafts show rooms at the zone is also attracting many athletes.

A journalist is given only 45 minutes in the Games Village to meet international players. The countdown begins the moment you are handed a green card in lieu of the Games accreditation card.

It's literally a fight against time as you speak to the players while also trying to absorb the surroundings.

The influx of players only whets your appetite for more interviews, but before long a gentle tap reminds you that it's time to go.

CWG cavalcade in a jam

Thanks to the CWG lanes in the city, commuters are getting stuck in jams for hours. The scene was no difference on Safdarjung Road in the heart of the capital, but this time it was a CWG cavalcade that got caught in traffic at an intersection leading to Ashoka Hotel.

There was a long queue of vehicles in the left lane and some impatient commuters moved to the right lane and as they were waiting for the green signal, more than 25 police vehicles lined up behind them -- the sirens blared, the traffic policemen desperately tried to clear the mess - but in vain.

The road cleared up only after coming to a standstill for 10 minutes.
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Zeeshan to lead Pakistan men's hockey team in CWG  

Karachi, Sep 28- Experienced defender Zeeshan Ashraf has passed a fitness test and will lead Pakistan in the Commonwealth Games hockey tournament in Delhi next month.

Ashraf is at the helm of a 16-man squad that also includes Kashif Javed, who also managed to pass a fitness test ahead of the team’s departure for the Indian capital which will host the Games from Oct 3.

The team will leave for Delhi Sep 29.

Pakistan’s chief selector Hanif Khan said Tuesday that after observing the performance and fitness of players during the European tour the selection committee has finalised the team. He said the Pakistan team has the capability to reach the victory stand at the Commonwealth Games.

Ten teams are taking part in the hockey event starting from Oct 5. Pool A comprises of Australia, Pakistan, Malaysia, India and Scotland, while pool B has England, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago. Pakistan will play its first match against Scotland on Oct 5, second match against Malaysia on Oct 6, third match against Australia Oct 9 and fourth match against India Oct 10.

Classification matches and semi finals will be played Oct 12, while final and bronze medal matches will be played Oct 14.

Former Olympian Khawaja Muhammad Junaid will be the team manager, Michel Van Den will be the coach, Ahmad Alam and Ajmal Khan Lodhi will act as assistant coaches.

Pakistan squad: Zeeshan Ashraf (Captain), Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Irfan, Waseem Ahmad, Muhammad Rashid, Fareed Ahmad, Shafqat Rasool, Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi, Abdul Haseem Khan, Muhammad Waqas Sharif, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Umar Bhutta, Imran Shah, Muhammad Tauseeq and Muhammad Kashif Javed.
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Commonwealth Express to reach Delhi Wednesday  

New Delhi, Sep 28 - The Commonwealth Express, showcasing the glorious history and salient features of the upcoming Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games, is returning to Delhi Wednesday after enthralling over seven lakh visitors during the last three months of its coutrywide run.

"The exhibition train will be stationed at Delhi's Pragati Maidan station for public view from Sep 29 to Oct 14 -- the day the Games come to a close," a railways official said Tuesday.

The train is reaching Delhi after travelling to 47 stations all over the country. It was flagged off from here June 24 by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.

It travelled through Ajmer, Agra, Jhansi, Gandhinagar, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Mysore Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai, Chennai, Mancheswar, Raipur, Dhanbad, Kolkata, New Jalpaiguri, Gaya, Patna, Varanasi, Lucknow, Una, Haridwar, Chandigarh, Ambala, Patiala, Udhampur, Jalandhar and Amritsar before returning to Delhi.

"Interestingly, the train reached Amritsar June 25, the day the Queen's Baton arrived in India via Wagha Border," said the ministry release, adding the arrival of the train at various places has generally been coincided with the arrival of the Baton there.

The Commonwealth Express has 11 coaches, of which five coaches are allocated to Railway Sports Promotion Board to showcase the history of the Games, details of the venues etc., among other things.

The coaches also spread awareness about various Indian sports icons who brought laurels to the country with their feats.

In the remaining six coaches of the train, the department of information and technology has been showcasing India's achievement in the field of information technology and narrating the ‘IT Story of India’.
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Games will not suffer because of pullouts: Oz chef de mission  

New Delhi, Sep 28 - Australian chef de mission Steve Moneghetti said Tuesday the pullout of a few athletes will have little impact on the Commonwealth Games and it will only be their personal loss.

"If the athletes have dropped out it is their personal loss, not a loss for the Games. It will be sad for the athletes. It is not about their personal performance, it is about representing Australia," he said.

Moneghetti said only four or five Australian athletes have dropped out.

The Aussie absentees include world champion discus thrower Dani Samuels, Cyclist Travis Meyer and table tennis player Stephanie Sang.

"Just four or five athletes have dropped out and that is certainly not a large number if you compare the size of the Australian contingent."

Australia have selected a 650-strong contingent for the Games.

Moneghetti, who was the mayor of the Village at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, said the much criticised Games Village here is in good shape, with the athletes having nothing to complain.

"We are happy with everything here at the Games Village. We arrived here Sunday morning and the transfer from the airport to the Games Village was smooth and we are absolutely happy with the traffic.

"I have not received any complaint from the athletes about the Games Village. Accommodation is perfect and the dining area is excellent," he said, adding that the athletes are excited about attending the Oct 3 opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
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Australians now full of praise for Games Village (Afternoon Lead)  

New Delhi, Sep 28 -With only five days left for the Commonwealth Games to kick off, the Australian delegation Tuesday heaped praise on the sprawling Games Village it had trashed earlier.

Eighty athletes and officials from Australia have checked into the facilities and 48 more are expected soon, taking the Village population to around 2,000 athletes and officials.

Having earlier led the attack on India over shoddy work and poor hygiene at the Village, the Australians sang a different tune after seeing for themselves what was on offer.

"I am pleasantly surprised at the facilities... The only worry is the movement of our athletes has been restricted (due to security reasons)," Australian chef de mission Steve Moneghetti told IANS.

Almost all the 7,000 officials and athletes from 71 countries and territories will take up residence at the Village during the Oct 3-14 Games.

With the clock ticking away for India's biggest sporting meet after the 1982 Asian Games, the Village is full of life -- with many busy practising and preparing for the contest.

Preparations are in full swing at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the heart of the city for the grand opening ceremony where composer and Oscar winner A.R. Rahman will perform Oct 3.

But India's famed Bollywood quotient will take a back seat, giving primacy to the country's cultural heritage.

Security concerns remain -- evident from the very visible khaki uniforms and automatic weapons in and around the Village and all the venues across the capital.

Some foreign delegates complain that the security is choking. Indian officials say they cannot help it.

Australia's Moneghetti said his athletes will not be allowed to move around freely till the sporting extravaganza gets over.

The Australians have been advised not to wear their team jerseys outside the Games venues. Athletes from England, Canada and New Zealand have also giving similar advice.

Moneghetti, who was mayor of the Village at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006, said the much-criticised Village in Delhi was actually very nice.

"We are happy with everything at the Village... We are happy with the traffic. I haven't received a single complaint from the athletes about the Village. Accommodation is perfect, the dining area excellent," he said.

Training is also going on in several of the venues, including the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium where both the men's and women's hockey teams will fight it out.

Former Indian hockey veteran V. Baskaran, who led India to gold in the 1980 boycott-ridden Moscow Olympics, is expecting a great contest in hockey.

"I expect the hockey competition to be at a much higher level than any other sport, with the possible exception of athletics," Baskaran told IANS.

The reason? The world's top-ranked teams are taking part, he said. But this will not be true for women's hockey where the top four teams will not be present.
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Nigerian chef de mission happy with Games facilities  

New Delhi, Sep 28 -Nigerian chef de mission Elias Usman Gora Tuesday said his country's participants are "very happy and impressed" with the Commonwealth Games facilities, have started training there and are optimistic about winning medals at the Oct 3-14 mega event.

"Our six coaches who visited the facilities are very happy and impressed, so are our participants. They have started training already and we will work towards winning medals at the Games," Gora told IANS.

The Nigerian coaches inspected the Games facilities Monday evening and submitted a report to Gora on the safety, security and health aspects.

Nigeria has sent 104 participants and 54 officials for the Commonwealth Games.

On Monday, Gora had termed the Games Village "the best ever".

"The rooms are the best ever provided in any other Commonwealth Games. The food is also great. The international zone is a great place," he said .
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Harbhajan Singh doubtful for Mohali Test  


Mohali (Punjab), Sep 27 -Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been advised rest by doctors here following a MRI test done on him for a calf injury Monday evening.

Though the Indian cricket team management has not yet taken a decision, Harbhajan Singh could be a doubtful starter for the first Test match of the India-Australia Test series beginning at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here Oct 1.

The bowler had come to the Fortis Hospital here after he felt some discomfort due to a calf injury after the practice session with other team mates, hospital sources said.

After initial examination, he underwent the MRI test following which he was advised rest for the next few days, the hospital sources added.
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Hang me if I'm proved guilty: Kalmadi  

New Delhi, Sep 27: "Hang me if I am proved guilty," Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi declared dramatically Monday, even as he ruled out his resignation on the graft charges that have hit the Games preparations, terming this a "conspiracy against India".

"I am ready to face a judicial enquiry after the Games on corruption charges, hang me if I am proved guilty," he told CNN-IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai in an interview

The "conspiracy against the Games is a conspiracy against India" and a "few pictures of dirty toilets does not mean that the Games Village is not world class", Kalmadi maintained.

Kalmadi said he had never considered resigning at any stage.

"Never, my team of four thousand people are working day and night and I always knew that it will be a great Games and the government of India has given me a total support," he said.

"I take responsibility for mess but must be given credit if the Games are a success," Kalmadi said.

He charged former sports minister Mani Shankar Aiyer - a prominent detractor - for not having moved on Games for two years and also trained his guns on Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper, who last week had described the conditions in the Village as "filthy and unlivable".

"Mike Hooper has been in India for four years, what was he doing," Kalmadi asked.

About 7,000 athletes and officials from 71 countries and territories will take part in the 11-day Games, the biggest sports event to be hosted by India after the 1982 Asiad.