Glasgow: Top officials of the Commonwealth Games Federation on Wednesday patted the Glasgow 2014 organisers for a smooth-sailing build-up and for saving the CGF from 2010 Delhi-like "headache".
Addressing a press conference just hours before the opening ceremony of the 20th Games, CGF president Prince Imran Tunku said that Glasgow has been the best ever Games in terms of preparations.
"In terms of preparations, this is really the best ever Games. I am very happy as this is happening in my first term as president. I didn't have headaches which my predecessor might have faced in the earlier editions," Tunku said in obvious reference to the 2010 Games which was marred by corruption scandals and construction delays though Delhi had delivered a hugely successful event.
"Right from the beginning we in the CGF had the confidence in the way of the Glasgow organisers. They were very thorough in their approach and they had not set a foot wrong. When they say they will do something it would be spot on," the CGF chief said.
"With the participation of 4929 athletes, Glasgow 2014 will be the biggest ever Games and we are confident that the Glasgow 2014 will be a great Games," he added.
CGF Chief Executive Mike Hooper also said that Glasgow and Delhi cannot be compared in terms of preparations.
"It will be chalk and cheese, Delhi and Glasgow cannot be compared in terms of preparations. But Delhi went on to deliver a great Games," said Hooper, who had a frosty relationship with Delhi CWG Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi.
"I believe Glasgow has the potential to be the best ever Games," he said.
Hooper also praised the Glasgow organisers for being able to sell 1.1 million tickets, claimed by Chief Executive Glasgow 2014 David Grevemberg.
"It is fantastic to sell 1.1 million tickets, exceeding the estimated revenue from the ticket sales." Hooper, who is set to handover the CGF CEO's post to Grevemberg after the Games, said that the CWG still remained relevant despite reports of countries showing reluctance to host them.
"We are very much on track and there has been an increase in showing interest about the Games. We have two very competent bidders for 2022 Games -- Edmonton and Durban. So, our future is bright."
Hooper also defended a decision to ban Welsh boxer Fred Evans from competing in Glasgow after he failed a background check, thought to be due to his involvement in a nightclub assault.
Evans, a welterweight silver medallist at the London Olympics, was a strong gold medal hope for the Welsh but won't take part after the decision to ban him taken by Commonwealth Games officials and the Home Office.
Hooper said background checks were standard for every athlete and official at major events and the Commonwealth Games executive had agreed to abide by their findings.
"The same process applied in London Olympics. The authorities, Home Office police, undertake background checks.
Those policy parameters are set and decisions are taken. It's made very clear, all Commonwealth Games associations sign up and agree that should anyone fail a background check, then they would not get an accreditation. I don't have the details of the particular case but that is the policy," he said.
"The CGF board took a decision that it would abide by the decisions of the authorities here as it did in Melbourne in 2006, as it did in Delhi in 2010."
Tunku also said that tonights opening ceremony will also pay respect to the victims of the Malaysian airliners shot down in Ukraine recently.
"As a Malaysian, I feel said for the tragic incident and I understand that there will be something during the opening ceremony about that. I cannot say more than that," he said.
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