The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, New Delhi

The Commonwealth Games Federation reaffirmed New Delhi as the venue for the next Commonwealth Games, saying Wednesday it will work with Indian authorities to ensure a secure and successful event.

Michael Fennell, CGF president, rejected various media reports that the 2010 games may be shifted to another country due to security concerns after last week's terrorist attacks in the western Indian city of Mumbai that killed at least 171 people.

"At no stage has there been discussion about us moving the games from Delhi, and nor has any other city been approached to be on standby as has been intimated in some recent media reports," Fennell said in a statement.

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 bring together athletes from the former British Empire.

Fennell said the CGF always worked with the games organizers on security matters, and would do so with New Delhi.

"The CGF will continue to work with appropriate authorities to ensure that appropriate security arrangements are in place so that the Commonwealth's athletes can compete in a safe and secure environment," he said.

Fennell's comments follow those of the Indian organizers who asserted that Mumbai's terror attacks would have no impact on New Delhi staging the Commonwealth Games, for which high-level security had been planned.

"The CGF constantly monitors security arrangements for the games and we will continue to do that," Fennell said.

"This ongoing work with the authorities in India will continue throughout the preparations and delivery of the games, with security arrangements modified from time to time as may prove necessary," he said.

Fennell's assurance come as Indian sporting officials are working ensure that the terrorist attacks do not reduce the country's chances of staging major events.

The World Squash Federation on Wednesday said it has postponed the World Doubles Championship scheduled for Chennai later this month after Australia pulled out of the event citing security concerns.

"Australia withdrew their players. More withdrawals would clearly reduce the value of the event to less than proper world championship status," George Mieras, WSF championship panel director said in a letter to the organizers.

India's cricket board is currently trying to persuade the England team to return and complete its tour with a two-test series at new venues a week after it went home midway through the limited-overs series in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.

An England and Wales Cricket Board security expert is assessing the venues at Chennai and Mohali.

India's cricket officials have denied any possibility the 2011 World Cup could be moved out of the subcontinent due to security concerns. The cricket World Cup is to be jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The International Cricket Council is expected to discuss the World Cup during next week's Chief Executives Committee meeting at Cape Town.

The terrorist attacks on Mumbai have, however, raised political tension between India and Pakistan after claims the terrorists originated came from Pakistan.

India's cricket officials have not yet received the mandatory government approval to tour Pakistan in January-February. The Indian government recently stopped its junior national field hockey team from playing a series in Pakistan due to security reasons.