Dubai: After being at the receiving end for the past few weeks, organisers have made substantial progress in ensuring the Commonwealth Games (CWG) go ahead as per schedule.
The Games Village was officially opened on Thursday as some Australian officials were among the first to move in for the CWG scheduled in New Delhi from October 3-14.
Mike Hooper, the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation sounded optimistic after admitting "there has been progress, but there is more to do".
One of the positives following a continual slamming of India over various charges is the deployment of additional resources at the venues, including staff from the city's luxury hotels.
"We're concentrating on fixing the problems. My attitude is that the Games are on," Hooper said.
The mood among country delegations too has improved following the meeting early on Thursday between CWG officials and the Delhi Government. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also met with the urban development and sports ministers on Thursday.
"Of course we are concerned with what is happening in Delhi, and the NZ NOC will be keeping us informed with daily updates," Jan Cameron, Swimming NZ High Performance Director, told Gulf News from Abu Dhabi.
The 18-member NZ swim team and support staff is in the UAE capital for a final closed-door training camp till the end of the month.
Many teams have delayed sending their athletes to Delhi because of problems in the unfinished athletes' village, that was officially thrown open on Thursday.
The Games brings together athletes from the 71 countries and territories of the former British empire.
