New Delhi:
Chairman Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee Suresh Kalmadi dismissed media reports that England is set to withdraw from the Games fearing terror strikes and inadequate security provisions.
According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, England would be withdrawing from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. However, Kalmadi emphasized that "We have not received any official intimation to this effect, and infact the British Foreign Office as also the statement from the Foreignand Commonwealth Office (FCO) has emphasised that it has not advisedany of its teams not to compete in next year's Commonwealth Games onsecurity grounds".
He claimed that both, the Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell and CGF Coordination Committee have lauded the security arrangements.
"Providing security and a safe and secure environment for the athletes,visiting officials and tourist for Commonwealth Games 2010 would be toppriority for the Indian Government, Delhi Administration and theOrganizing Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi," he added.
The British Foreign Office and the England team manager have denied any such claim of withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games.