We expected to see a lot more work than what has been accomplished. — British Virgin Islands

We are very impressed with what we have witnessed... — Fiji

On a day delegates from Canada and the British Virgin Islands expressed open dissatisfaction over preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the Organizing Committee (OC) got support — and glowing praise — from Fiji, a country that is itself all but out of the event following “full suspension” from the Commonwealth.

“The security and other arrangements here are very good,” Fiji delegate Vidhya Lakhan declared, sitting beside OC secretary-general Lalit Bhanot at a hastily organised news conference.

Chef de mission of the Fiji Olympic Committee, Christopher Yee, added: “The Games Village is one of the best I’ve seen. We are very impressed with what we have witnessed and I am confident that it will be a successful Games.”

The praises for India came from a country that could be officially barred from the Games when the Commonwealth Games General Assembly meets at The Ashok in New Delhi on Monday.

“The Commonwealth Secretariat has advised the Federation to suspend Fiji. They will be given an opportunity to present their case in front of the General Assembly on Monday and a decision will made after that,” Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Chief Executive Mike Hooper told The Indian Express on Thursday.

CGF president Mike Fennell was quoted as saying last month, “Fiji may not be allowed to take part in the Commonwealth Games”.

... contd.