March 7 - On the eve of the Commonwealth Games archery test event, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) formally inaugurated the archery arena at the Yamuna Sports Complex in the Indian capital when it was unveiled by Union Minister of Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy (pictured).


DDA officials claimed the arena is "perfectly ready" for the event, but extensive work remains to be carried out across a large part of the complex.

The complex, which will host the preliminary stages of the archery and the table tennis, was initially scheduled to be ready by December 2009.

At present, however, only the grandstand - with the capacity of 1,500 spectators - is complete while work remains on training and competition areas. Infrastructure facilities like changing rooms and medical centre among others are also incomplete.

Ten countries will participate in the five-day archery test event that will be held at the complex beginning tomorrow.

To make it usable for the event, the DDA removed all the debris and grass-carpeted the test event and the training arena.

Officials claimed the venue will undergo a complete "transformation in the time to come" before the Commonwealth Games are due to open on October 3.

A spokesman for the DDA said: "The workers have done a good job in such a short period.

"For the time being, the venue has been readied for the test event.

"Other work is in progress to get the arena in a better shape before the Games in October."

Besides hosting the qualifying rounds of the archery and table tennis competitions, the sports complex will also serve as a training venue for archery, aquatics, hockey and rhythmic gymnastics during the Games.

The table tennis stadium will be ready by May and other training venues will be handed over for use by June, DDA officials said.

The officials said one of the main reasons the sports complex was delayed was the time taken in obtaining clearance from the Delhi Urban Arts Commission.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejinder Khanna, who was present at the inauguration, expressed confidence that the city would be ready for the Games.

He said: "I want to assure that all things would be ready in time and country's pride would rise manifolds by the event."


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