New Delhi:
Finally a reason for Suresh Kalmadi to smile. Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell is happy with what he calls "positive progress" of the Organising Committee - so much that a proposed Review Panel that was to have monitored the Organiser's progress has now been scrapped altogether.
On Saturday, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) dropped its controversial proposal of a Technical Review Committee (TRC) "in view of the current improved status".
"In October, I announced the CGF would be instituting a TRC that would visit monthly. However, in view of the current improved status we have agreed it is now more appropriate for the CGF to provide additional ongoing support to the OC through its Games Knowledge Management Programme," CGF President Michael Fennell told a press.
The development is also likely to bring about a temporary truce between the OC and its parent body, who had been engaged in a public spat a few months back over organisational issues relating to the October 3-14 Games.
Even more heartening was Saturday's kiss-and-make-up between Kalmadi and CGF Chief Executive Mike Hooper. (
Watch the video here).
But its not all hunky dory for next year's Delhi Games just yet.
The deadlines for venue construction have been pushed back yet again with the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium now likely to be ready only in June and every other venue in March.
So while the Organising Committee seems to have got its house in order, the government needs to keep pace and make sure there are no further delays.