NEW DELHI (AP):

Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell is satisfied with India's focus on security for the athletes who will be competing at next year's event in New Delhi.

"The government of India has put in a lot of resources to provide security, and not only for athletes and spectators attending the 2010 Commonwealth Games," Fennell told The Associated Press yesterday after meeting with the minister in charge of interior security and top police officials.

Big event

The 2010 Commonwealth Games, the biggest multiple-sport event staged in India since the 1982 Asian Games, has been under the security spotlight since last year's terrorist strike on the country's financial hub of Mumbai and the attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team in neighbouring Pakistan.

"There will always be concerns, but we're happy with New Delhi's intent and how seriously the organisers have been taking the security aspect," Fennell said.

During his visit, Fennell was given a detailed presentation on the security arrangements by New Delhi police commissioner Y.S. Dadwal, who will head security for the games.

"During this visit, I've met India's minister of home affairs, and also New Delhi's chief minister and lieutenant governor. We've been given a detailed presentation on the security arrangements by the police commissioner," Fennell said.

Satisfied

"As a person I feel very safe in India, but as a traveller around the world I'm concerned with security," he added. "I wanted to know what was happening about the security arrangements for the games and the athletes. ... Now, we're satisfied that adequate attention is being paid to the security aspect."

Fennell said the CGF had always worked with Commonwealth Games organisers on security matters, and would continue to do so with New Delhi, where the 2010 Commonwealth Games are scheduled for October 3-14.

"We'll continue to work with the organisers and security authorities to ensure that the Commonwealth athletes can come here and compete in a safe and secure environment," Fennell said.

New Delhi was chosen to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games after several previous failed bids, becoming only the second Asian city to be allocated the games that feature athletes from 71 countries and territories from the former British empire.