NEW DELHI: Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell today said Delhi had made considerable progress and that it would have world class venues for the XIX Commonwealth Games here next year.

Mr Fennell said this at a meeting of the Asia Region CGAs, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Secretary General Lalit Bhanot said today.

Later, Joint Director General (Sports) ASV Prasad made a presentation to the CGF Sports Committee and Dr. Bhanot said the Committee had appreciated it. Sports Committee Chairman Prince Tunku Imran (Malaysia) was among those who commended the presentation and the preparedness of the Sports FA.

“The Commonwealth Games are about sports and the Sports FA explained the details in an hour-long presentation. The delegates were satisfied and praised the preparations,” Dr Bhanot said. CGF CEO Mike Hooper was among those present at the presentation where the Organising Committee was represented by Games Technical Conduct Committee Chairman Brig (retd) KP Singhdeo, and OC Director General VK Verma.

“Sports FA is on time and, in some areas, ahead of schedule. Competition managers, with experience of organising international and national sports events, have been appointed in all 17 disciplines. The design for the medals will be finalised shortly. There will be 271 gold and silver medals and 288 bronze medals,” Dr Bhanot said.

He also said that the marathon event would now start and finish on Rajpath instead of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. “Besides, the International Boxing Federation, has decided that it would have competition only in 10 categories instead of 11 from September 1, 2010; We are waiting a word from CGF before making any changes to the boxing programme.”