Press release

Boost for India's Commonwealth Games

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and double Olympic gold medal winner Dame Kelly Holmes express confidence in India’s preparations.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and double Olympic gold medal winner Dame Kelly Holmes have today expressed confidence in India’s preparations to host the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.

During their two-day visit to India with the Prime Minister, Mr Hunt and Dame Kelly (who is President of Commonwealth Games England) met the chair of the Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Suresh Kalmadi, to hear how plans are going.

Mr Hunt said:

I’m sure that India will deliver a successful, safe and secure Commonwealth Games in October.  Mr Kalmadi has assured us that the country is ready to welcome athletes from around the Commonwealth and host a great festival of elite sport. I’ve reiterated our commitment to work closely with the Indian Government and the Organising Committee to help in any way that we can.

Dame Kelly said:

I very am encouraged by the plans I’ve heard from Mr Kalmadi and believe the Commonwealth Games in India will be a fantastic event. Hosting the Games in Delhi provides an opportunity to promote sport, and the benefits that it can bring, to millions of children in the country.

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Published 28 July 2010