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President of CGA dismisses Home Nations non-attendance allegations

The President of the Commonwealth Games Association of the Isle of Man, Juliet Holt, has released a statement to Sports Team Managers, CGA Officials and the press refuting claims that the Home Nations are considering their attendance at the Delhi Games.

The following is a transcript of the statement:

'The recent article in the Daily Telegraph misquoted Wales, Scotland, N Ireland, Australia and Canada as NONE of them had given a statement to the press. Wales subsequently did give an interview denying that those countries were pulling out but this was not printed due to the story of the released hostage. The fact that the national press dropped the England story when they had other news, I believe shows its lack of importance. Scotland will most certainly send a strong team as they are the next hosts and the Games will be handed to them in Delhi. England are the only nation who are getting jumpy at this time, as they did for the badminton competition last year which went ahead without them and without any problems.

Chris Jenkins (CEO CG Council for Wales) was recently appointed a member of the CGF Co-Ordination Committee, which is overseeing all the preparation for the Games. He has recently returned from Delhi and he is, as are all the CO-Com members, curently confident that the security issue is in hand and being responsibly addressed. Our security advisor at the Met has assured us that, at this stage, they are also confident that security issues are being addressed. In addition to our own, there are a number of security advisors working with our collegues and they are sharing their information with us.

I cannot deny, and as Tonia and I reported to you after our visit to Delhi in October, that construction work at some of the venues is behind schedule. Some of the test events may be affected which is why we advised you not to send any deposits for these proposed events. Chris Jenkins has told me that there had been great advances made since October and he anticipates that much of the work will be completed by March when the Chef's meeting will be held. Tonia, Danni and Gary will be attending this meeting and will be able to brief us further on their return. I understand the Village is 'on track' and will be splendid.

At this moment in time all the information we have points to the fact that the Games will be held in Delhi in October and that security will be the best it can be. The Indian Government are very aware of our concerns and want to ensure an excellent and trouble free Games.

With all the information that we have at this moment in time I see no reason why Team Isle of Man should not attend the Delhi Games. The management team are working towards that goal and be assured we have the whole team's safety uppermost in our minds.'

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President of CGA dismisses Home Nations non-attendance allegations

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