India's Commonwealth Games not in doubt

The Commonwealth Games Federation reaffirmed New Delhi as the venue for the next Commonwealth Games, saying Wednesday it will work with Indian authorities to ensure a secure and successful event.

Michael Fennell, CGF president, rejected various media reports that the 2010 games may be shifted to another country due to security concerns after last week's terrorist attacks in the western Indian city of Mumbai that killed at least 171 people.

"At no stage has there been discussion about us moving the games from Delhi, and nor has any other city been approached to be on standby as has been intimated in some recent media reports," Fennell said in a statement.

New Delhi was chosen to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games after several previous failed bids, becoming only the second Asian city to be allocated the games that bring together athletes from the former British Empire. Fennell said the CGF always worked with the games organizers on security matters, and would do so with New Delhi.

"The CGF will continue to work with appropriate authorities to ensure that appropriate security arrangements are in place so that the Commonwealth's athletes can compete in a safe and secure environment," he said.

Fennell's comments follow those of the Indian organizers who asserted that Mumbai's terror attacks would have no impact on New Delhi staging the Commonwealth Games, for which high-level security had been planned.

NEWDELHI, Wednesday