New Zealand denies Delhi CWG opening ceremony boycott reports
By ANISunday, October 3, 2010
NEW DELHI - New Zealand has categorically denied that they are planning to boycott the Delhi Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony on Sunday.
A New Zealand Olympic Committee spokesperson said that the team would be marching and that participation in the opening ceremony was never in doubt, Stuff.co.nz reports.
Earlier, a British newspaper had reported that Kiwi officials in New Delhi, along with Scotland, and the Isle of Man, had sought assurances over security and logistical issues before committing to the three-hour ceremony.
The newspaper report said that one of the concerns was related to the length of time that the athletes would have to stay in the main stadium.
During a chefs de mission meeting on Saturday, many countries reportedly said that they wanted their athletes to march, but then return immediately to the village, missing the cultural show and the official opening speeches.
New Zealand chef de mission David Currie had also said that the decision over participation would be up to individual athletes.
About two-thirds of New Zealand’s contingent is expected to march in the ceremony behind netball player Irene van Dyk, who has been unveiled as the team flag bearer.
Currie also informed that about 190 of the 290-plus New Zealand team would be in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. (ANI)
