Related News
England will not pull out of Games
Source: Agencies |
December 31, 2009, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ORGANIZERS of next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi have dismissed a report that England could pull out due to security concerns.
A British newspaper yesterday quoted unnamed government sources saying England might boycott the October 3-14 Games because of fears for the safety of their athletes.
However, organizing committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said the report was well wide of the mark.
"England have said the report is baseless," Indian Olympic association chief Kalmadi said.
"We have not received any official intimation to this effect.... the statement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has emphasized that it has it has not advised any of its teams not to compete in next year's Commonwealth Games on security grounds," he said.
"The Security Commanders meeting was held at the Home Ministry recently and all Commonwealth Games Associations were satisfied with the security arrangements outlined for the Games."
Kalmadi also said that Mike Fennell, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, had praised the Delhi Police in ensuring security at the Games.
India formed a security liaison group due to heightened safety fears over travelling to New Delhi for the competition. Gunmen ambushed the Sri Lanka cricket team bus in Lahore, Pakistan, in March, raising concerns that sport could become a target in the region.
England pulled out of the world badminton championships in India in August citing a "specific terrorist threat". However, the tournament went ahead smoothly and the British sports minister expressed regret.
Commonwealth Games England chief executive Ann Hogbin said the team was all set to travel to India.
"Our current and strong intention is to field a team for the Games in Delhi next year," she said. "Despite having been given extensive briefings from relevant authorities we have not received any indication that we should not participate in the Games and we will continue to work hard to put in place the best possible arrangements for our team."
A British newspaper yesterday quoted unnamed government sources saying England might boycott the October 3-14 Games because of fears for the safety of their athletes.
However, organizing committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said the report was well wide of the mark.
"England have said the report is baseless," Indian Olympic association chief Kalmadi said.
"We have not received any official intimation to this effect.... the statement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has emphasized that it has it has not advised any of its teams not to compete in next year's Commonwealth Games on security grounds," he said.
"The Security Commanders meeting was held at the Home Ministry recently and all Commonwealth Games Associations were satisfied with the security arrangements outlined for the Games."
Kalmadi also said that Mike Fennell, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, had praised the Delhi Police in ensuring security at the Games.
India formed a security liaison group due to heightened safety fears over travelling to New Delhi for the competition. Gunmen ambushed the Sri Lanka cricket team bus in Lahore, Pakistan, in March, raising concerns that sport could become a target in the region.
England pulled out of the world badminton championships in India in August citing a "specific terrorist threat". However, the tournament went ahead smoothly and the British sports minister expressed regret.
Commonwealth Games England chief executive Ann Hogbin said the team was all set to travel to India.
"Our current and strong intention is to field a team for the Games in Delhi next year," she said. "Despite having been given extensive briefings from relevant authorities we have not received any indication that we should not participate in the Games and we will continue to work hard to put in place the best possible arrangements for our team."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
