CWG: Malaysians arrive, other teams to come

New Delhi: A 15-member delegation from Malaysia arrived in India's capital New Delhi on Friday to assess the state of affairs just one week before the opening of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The Malaysian delegation accompanied by two security officials will visit all the stadiums to assess the situation.

The delegation will leave on Monday. A total of 203 Malaysian athletes will be visiting India to participate in the Commonwealth Games. They will vie for medals in aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, rugby sevens, table tennis, shooting, squash and weightlifting.

Several other countries had raised concerns over the preparedness of the venues after reports of hygiene issues, dengue fever outbreak and security incidents in the lead up to the event which is scheduled to begin in nine days.

India is scrambling against the clock to save the Games after leading athletes quit the showcase event and countries threatened to stay home unless authorities cleaned up the games venues.

Meanwhile, India tightened the security cover around the Games venues on Friday by deploying thousands of security personnel as athletes from various countries start trooping in for the embattled Games.

Paramilitary troops and heavily armed commandoes had cast a tight security net around the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, where the opening and closing ceremony would be held for the October 3-14 Games.

Meanwhile, all countries have confirmed their participation for the games. Northern Ireland and Scotland will send their respective teams to New Delhi.

The board members of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council (NICGC) met on Friday and "endorsed the team's attendance at the Games" after seeing progress being made by the organisers to improve conditions at the games village.

"This decision was based upon the most recent information supplied by the Council's representatives in India together with their recommendation," NICGC said.

Team Scotland have announced that the first group of athletes will fly out to the Commonwealth Games on Saturday.