CoCom chairman Sealy insists Delhi has its full support

THE Co-ordination Commission for next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi has insisted the Indian capital has its full support ahead of this week's visit.

FULL SUPPORT: The 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi has CoCom's full support according to chairman Austin Sealy (Getty Images)

The Games, due to take place between October 3 and 14 in 2010, has come in for its fair share of criticism over the past 12 months with fears of a terrorist attack leading to calls for the event to be cancelled.

The 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai in which 173 people died was the catalyst for worries, with an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team's bus in neighbouring Pakistan and Badminton England's withdrawal from the World Championships in Hyderabad doing little to ease security doubts.

In-fighting between Delhi 2010 organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and Commonwealth Games chief executive Mike Hooper skirted more controversy.

And while CoCom members Hooper and Australian Commonwealth Games chief Perry Crosswhite have invited negative publicity for the event in the past, CoCom chairman Austin Sealy admitted he was keen to draw a line under any counter-productive comments.

"We are all working towards the same goal - that of producing a successful Games next year," said Sealy.

And Kalmadi is adamant New Delhi had taken giant leaps since CoCom's last visit in May.

"These meetings are perfect opportunities for looking at what's been done and what still needs to be done but we're looking in better shape now," he said.

"Our projected TV revenue has increased by nearly 50 per cent and we have agreed major sponsorship deals with Air India, NTPC and Hero Honda with more offers under review at the moment."