Non-participation of ‘one or two players’ will not affect CWG: Kalmadi

NEW DELHI - Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Sunday said that the non-participation of one or two players will not affect the event, and people will come across new champions this time.

Kalmadi said this after the inauguration function of the Dr. Shyam Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex in New Delhi.

“Let me tell you, that the biggest squad ever is coming from every country. Australia, they have confirmed 700 athletes and officials, England has confirmed 500 athletes and officials and Canada has confirmed 450 athletes and officials, which is the highest ever,” Kalmadi said.

“They have never sent so many athletes in the Commonwealth Games. So, a whole lot are coming, if one or two are not coming that does not matter. The games will go on and new champions will be found,” he added.

He further said that he would update Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief Michael Fennell about the construction work being carried out for the mega-event.

“I am going to send the photographs of this function and of this stadium to Michael Fennell who has been very worried about this. So, he should know that everything is okay and ready, and we will wait for his next visit to India where he can go into all the details,” Kalmadi said.

The 12-day sporting extravaganza will be India’s biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. (ANI)