Michael Fennel visit to study Pune facilities

Pune, June 3(UNI) Michael Fennel, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation will be arriving on a two-day visit to Pune tomorrow to study facilities available here for the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games.

Indian Olympic Association President and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Mr Suresh Kalmadi, said since the country was playing host to the CYG 2008, followed by the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi for the first time in India, the visit of the CGF President, Mr Fennel assumes great importance.

Kalmadi informed that Fennel will study the facilities at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Mhalunge-Balewadi, which is to be given a total face lift and other infrastructure facilities at an estimated cost of Rs 180 crore for the conduct of the Commonwealth Youth Games, 2008 and give his valuable inputs.

Fennel will also visit Army Sports Institute(ASI) and other institutions in the city to see the training facilities available.

He will also visit the newly laid synthetic track at the Baburao Sanas Stadium that played host to the recent third and final round of the Asian Grand Prix 2006, international standard tennis facilities at the Deccan Gymkhana Courts, the WIE Badminton Complex. Fennel will meet the Arjuna and Shiv Chhatrapati Award winners and leading sports administrators of various disciplines.

During his two day visit, the Pune Municipal Corporation will host a recepion for Fennel.

UNI DWN PM AG DH RK2020