INDIA: COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010 - New Zealand team satisfied with games venue and security

Record ID: 1377040

  • Title: INDIA: COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010 - New Zealand team satisfied with games venue and security
  • Date: 3rd October 2010
  • Summary: NEW DELHI, INDIA (OCTOBER 02, 2010) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) EXTERIOR OF MEDIA CENTRE BANNERS READING 'COME OUT AND PLAY' BANNER READING 'DELHI 2010 XIX COMMONWEALTH GAMES (SOUNDBITE) (English) TEMEPARA GEORGE, VICE-CAPTAIN OF NETBALL, NEW ZEALAND, SAYING: "Yeah, the venue was great, and like I have seen before and it's, like, it doesn't feel like that we are playing in a different Indian state, or competing in our home stadium. That's a great comment to have for the Indians and when we went for training, the venue was fantastic and we are looking forward to getting out there and actually playing the game." CAMERAPERSONS STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (English) TEMEPARA GEORGE, VICE-CAPTAIN OF NETBALL, NEW ZEALAND, SAYING: "Yeah, obviously I have been to India before, have done�������.in Kolkata and coming to Delhi has been very beautiful, beautiful place here, and security has been fantastic within the Commonwealth Games, and just being within the Commonwealth Games, they have done a fantastic job with the Village." ID CARD OF TEMEPARA GEORGE, VICE-CAPTAIN OF NETBALL, NEW ZEALAND (SOUNDBITE) (English) TEMEPARA GEORGE, VICE-CAPTAIN OF NETBALL, NEW ZEALAND, SAYING: "Well, most of the teams actually depend on what team we come across. We got a pool game against England, which is going to be a really good start for us. So that would be a bit of a challenge, as well."
  • Embargoed: 17th October 2010 20:48
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVADMQOPS1K2O3NBIXBOI6JD716T
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Temepara George, vice-captain of New Zealand's netball team, expressed her satisfaction with Commonwealth Games Village at a press conference in the Indian capital New Delhi on Saturday (October 02).
    Temepara said that during the practice sessions in the Thyagaraj Sports Complex, the team felt like they are playing in their country's stadium.
    "Yeah, the venue was great, and like I have seen before and it's, like, it doesn't feel like that we are playing in a different Indian state, or competing in our home stadium. That's a great comment to have for the Indians and when we went for training, the venue was fantastic and we are looking forward to getting out there and actually playing the game," said George.
    Temepara said that the security was "fantastic".
    "Yeah, obviously I have been to India before, have done�������.in Kolkata and coming to Delhi has been very beautiful, beautiful place here, and security has been fantastic within the Commonwealth Games, and just being within the Commonwealth Games, they have done a fantastic job with the Village," she added.
    Many countries had raised security concerns after two Taiwanese nationals were shot at in the city on September 19. Certain militant groups have also threatened to disrupt the Commonwealth Games.
    Earlier there was uncertainty over the participation of the New Zealand athletes due to continuing concerns about health, hygiene and security. On September 22, Prime Minister John Key had even said there was no point in sending athletes to New Delhi, and cyclist Greg Henderson had announced his withdrawal from the Games, citing health reasons and security fears.
    But the capital has since beefed up security considerably, deploying commandos, snipers and police personnel forces in and around the Games venues as well as luxury hotels and metro stations.
    Surface-to-air missile squadrons and anti-aircraft guns have also been deployed in and around the city, and mobile and static observation posts have also been created.
    Temepara also said that though they have a lot of challenges in store, her team is ready.
    "Well, most of the teams actually depend on what team we come across. We got a pool game against England, which is going to be a really good start for us. So that would be a bit of a challenge, as well," she said.
    New Zealand has sent a team to every Commonwealth Games since the first in 1930 and after the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Beijing, New Zealand had an overall total of 529 medals (124 Gold, 168 Silver and 237 Bronze).
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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