The Commonwealth Games Federation has reaffirmed that New Delhi will host the 2010 edition and that it never thought about moving the event to an alternative venue in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks.

CGF president Michael Fennel, in a media release on Wednesday, said that “at no stage has there been a discussion about us moving the Games from Delhi, and nor has any other city been approached to be on stand-by as has been intimated in some recent media reports.”

Fennel expressed his deepest sympathy for the people of India on the losses caused by the recent tragic events in Mumbai.

Fennel dismissed media reports, both in India and abroad, that the CGF was looking for a stand-by venue. Fennel, however, made it clear that CGF was very involved in the security planning for the 2010 Games.

“Naturally, the CGF constantly monitors security arrangements for the Games, wherever they may be held and we will continue to do that,” he said in the statement.

Appropriate arrangements

“The federation has been working with and will continue to work with the appropriate authorities and agencies within the Government of India, the Delhi Government and the Organising Committee, to ensure that appropriate security arrangements are in place so that the athletes can compete in a safe and secure environment,” he said.

“This ongoing work with the authorities in India will continue throughout the preparations and delivery of the Games, with security arrangements modified from time to time as may prove necessary,” Fennel added.

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