‘Issues exist in every Game but India will deliver’

"We will be vigilant about mosquitoes in Delhi...The players are relaxed," added Charlesworth.

The crisis-hit Commonwealth Games has got support from an unexpected quarter in Australia’s hockey coach Ric Charlesworth,who said controversies are not new in multisport events but exuded confidence that Delhi would deliver the goods.

The Delhi Games organisers have come under severe criticism from all quarters because of it’s shoddy preparation,which includes a “filthy and unhygienic” Athletes Village,outbreak of dengue fever and security issues among others.

But Charlesworth,who had a nine-month tumultuous stint here in 2008 as India’s hockey consultant,said his wards have no issues traveling to Delhi for the Games,but will definitely adopt a cautious approach during their stay here.

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“There are always issues with such large events…But I’m confident India will get it done,” the 58-year-old Australian hockey legend said ahead of his team’s departure for Delhi tomorrow.

“We will be vigilant about mosquitoes in Delhi…The players are relaxed,” added Charlesworth.

Charlesworth,who has always been a vocal critic of the Indian system,however,said that he was not surprised at the unpreparedness of the Delhi Games’ organisers.

“But we planned to arrive late (for the Games),” he said.

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Incidentally,earlier this month Charlesworth had said that he was nervous about what he may find when he lands in Delhi for the Games.

“Who knows what the accommodation will be like when we head over there. I’m very worried about it. Does the air conditioning work? Do the lifts work? Is there flyscreens on the windows? There is dengue fever in India,” he had said.

But the Australian coach said,inspite of the negative reports,at no point of time,his players were apprehensive about traveling to India for the mega-event,starting Sunday.

Asked if the Kokkaburras have any security concern after many star athletes pulled out of the event due to safety issues,Charlesworth said,”No,we don’t have any problems with security. It is an issue in any world level multi-sport event.”