New Delhi:
The Commonwealth Games will begin in exactly a week from now and a lot hinges on these seven days. But the troubles, it seems, have no end.
African nations are the latest to join the chorus of discontent over the 'unlivable' Village. The strongest criticism came from the South African envoy on Sunday after a snake was found in the athletes' village.
"We can't go and stay till things are fixed up. We have very grave concerns. If snakes are found we can't ask our teams to stay there," South Africa's High Commissioner Harris Mbulelo Mejeke said.
Although South Africa is not planning to withdraw, the latest embarrassment comes just after the Indian hockey team complained that there was no water in their loos. (
Read: 12-hour wait for shooting team to get rooms)
Also, sources say 150 flats have been declared unlivable.
Rattled, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar inspected the Village, but without Suresh Kalmadi.
And then came an announcement that by Wednesday, all work will be completed.
"We hope between today and tomorrow, 300-600 flats will be handed over. By Wednesday everything will be done," Dikshit said. (
Read: CWG Village to be ready by Wednesday, says Sheila Dikshit)
But there's more bad news as four more athletes have decided to pull out of the Games. These include Australian track and road cyclist Travis Meyer and table tennis player Stephanie Sang, Malaysian sprinter Siti Zubaidah Adabi and Scottish tennis star Elena Baltacha. (
Read: 2 Australian, 1 British athlete pull out)
There were, however, positive sign from the England camp which is already missing eight of its top athletes.
"I'm very pleased to announce that our support staff will move today evening and players will be coming tomorrow to the Commonwealth Games village," said Craig Hunter, Chef de Mission, English team.
Delhi government's efforts too paid off as the South African High Commissioner later said that now there were sign improvements.
Needless to say there's a lot at stake, most importantly national pride. And that's what the stakeholders are now working overtime to salvage after a series of embarrassing debacles.