Manmohan Singh to meet Gill, Reddy on Commonwealth Games preparations

New Delhi, Sep 23 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has called Union Sports Minister M S Gill and Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy for a meeting on Thursday evening to discuss the preparations for the XIXth Commonwealth Games.

Dr Manmohan Singh has called for the meeting this evening in the face of the mounting international criticism of the country's preparedness to hold the event beginning on October 3.

It was earlier today reported that Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell is likely to meet Dr Manmohan Singh to press for his intervention to save the 2010 Games from possible collapse.

Earlier on Tuesday, CGF chief executive Mike Hooper had expressed disappointment over the ill preparedness of the 2010 Games Village, terming it as 'filthy'.

He hoped the condition at the Village would improve in a couple of days.

"Things have started improving, but was not sufficient enough. We have met on a daily basis, my colleagues around the village, and myself, on a number of occasions, have met with the organizing committee," said Hooper.

"We have emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of the condition and the cleanliness of the Games Village, which I will have to say, in many-many of hotels, am not going to pull any punches, were "filthy" and so, uninhabitable as is being stated by Fennel," he added.

Moreover, team officials have expressed alarm at the lack of readiness and poor hygiene in sections of the athletes' village.

Further the collapse of a foot overbridge outside the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the main venue of the Games on Tuesday has reignited concerns about building safety standards.

Security concerns surrounding the Games have also been heightened in the wake of the shooting of two Taiwanese nationals travelling in a tourist bus outside the Jama Masjid in the walled city area here on Sunday.

The record monsoon rains, an outbreak of dengue fever, allegations of corruption and late venue construction have all added to concern of athletes, their families and Games officials.

The 12-day sporting extravaganza, which kicks off on October 3, is India's biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. (ANI)