Nehwal criticises Delhi`s preparations, then backtracks

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Delhi's chaotic preparations for next month's Commonwealth Games proved India was not capable of hosting major international events, Games ambassador Saina Nehwal said on Saturday, before retracting the statement hours later.

Nehwal, the world badminton number three, initially told reporters in Hyderabad: "Looking at the stadiums and looking at the progress, I don't really think we are capable of holding such big tournaments.

"I have seen many games like Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the Olympic Games in China. Compared to that, it's not up to the mark. I'm sure before October 3, it will be ready and people will like it but in comparison to those Games, things are not up to the mark."

Within hours, Nehwal, one of six brand ambassadors for the Oct. 3-14 Games, had retracted her remarks, telling CNN-IBN television: "I want to take back my statement. I am very, very sorry about it.

"Being a brand ambassador, it's not good to say such things."

Games organising committee officials were not immediately available for comment.

The Games, intended to showcase the country's growing financial might, threaten to be a national embarrassment with the organisers fighting corruption charges and struggling to get venues ready with less than a month to go.

The cost of the event has risen more than 17.5 times from the original estimate and is now put at $6 billion. The venues have missed several deadlines while anti-corruption watchdogs have identified 16 Games projects where large-scale corruption is suspected.