England Commonwealth Chief Denies Pull-out
The chief executive of the England Commonwealth Games team has denied media reports that the team will pull out of the 2010 event in India over security concerns.
A senior Government source is reported to have stated there was ‘virtually no chance’ an England team would be sent to Delhi.
However the England team’s chief executive Ann Hogbin denied the report, stating: ‘That is definitely not the case. Our strong intention is to field a team in Delhi next year.’
The Foreign Office confirmed that it has not told any British teams to miss the event.
Unlike the Olympic Games where Britain competes under the Team GB banner, there are separate teams for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at the Commonwealths.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office statement said: ‘We are aware that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had some concerns about preparations for the Games.
‘We continue to work closely with the Indian authorities who are doing everything they can to ensure a safe and secure Games.’
Security for athletes, officials and spectators in Delhi has been a cause for concern following terrorist incidents in the region which have led to several sporting events being moved from the subcontinent.
England’s badminton team withdrew from the World Championships in Hyderabad in August citing a ‘specific terrorist threat’, although the event passed without incident.
On-going concerns about security on the subcontinent forced organisers to move the Indian Premier League to South Africa earlier this year.
However, Delhi organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said: ‘Security is certainly not an issue. A foolproof security was discussed for the Games during the security liaison conference in New Delhi in September.’
Experts from 26 of the 71 participating nations, including England, Australia and New Zealand, took part in the conference and were satisfied with the preparations.
Hogbin, who has worked at nine Games and is head of Commonwealth Games England, added: ‘Of course, we have a duty of care to the athletes and other team members which we take very seriously.
‘Despite having been given extensive briefings from relevant authorities we have not received any indication that we should not participate in the Games and we will continue to work hard to put in place the best possible arrangements for our team.’
Several English athletes have already indicated they may not be part of the near 100-strong team for Delhi, which could be the largest sent to compete at a Commonwealth Games.
World gymnast champion Beth Tweddle is not going because the event, which runs from 3rd-14th October, finishes three days before the World Championships start in the Netherlands.
British Gymnastics has decided to send its A squad to the World Championships and a B squad to the Commonwealth Games. This is in order to try and qualify a British Team for the 2012 Olympics.
More than 8,000 athletes from 71 nations are due to compete in India. Glasgow is due to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
