THE Guernsey Commonwealth Games Association is confident that Delhi will be ready for next year’s Games.

There are grave concerns that a number of the Indian capital’s stadiums and facilities will still be incomplete come the opening ceremony on 3 October 2010.

A federal government report a few months ago found that work on 13 out of the 19 sports venues were running behind schedule. There are also worries over security arrangements and housing for guests.

The BBC reported this week that the Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell, in a letter to the local organising committee, is said to have warned that India’s preparations were behind schedule.

He stated it was ‘reasonable to conclude that the current situation poses a serious risk to the Commonwealth Games in 2010’.

The Indian Olympics Association secretary general, Randhir Singh, said that some of the concerns raised over the progress of preparation were valid.

However, the GCGA chef du mission for Delhi, David Harry, is confident that the Games will get under way without a hitch.

Harry also said that the GCGA will have a better idea of what is going on after next month’s Commonwealth Games Association’s general assembly.

On a more positive note, British Olympic high jumper Steve Smith (pictured) has been geeing up Guernsey’s Commonwealth Games hopefuls.

Now a motivational speaker, Smith spoke at the weekend to the young Sarnians looking to compete in Delhi next year.