27 Sep 2010

First night in athletes' village for NZ Games officials

11:32 am on 27 September 2010

The New Zealand Commonwealth Games operation team is spending their first night in the athletes' village in Delhi.

The team of high performance and athlete support staff have prepared one level of tower eight for occupation and say that moving in will enable them to test electricity, plumbing and other functional areas.

Chef de Mission Dave Currie says most importantly the the fire safety measures are now satisfactory.

While preparations continue, some issues are still to be addressed including transport and the confirmation around the ability of the village to function as the first overseas athletes arrive.

At this stage the only athletes in the village are representatives of the Indian delegation.

Around 50 Scottish athletes arrive in India today and will become the first non-Indian athletes into the village.

English and Canadian athletes currently in Delhi are being accommodated in hotels but it is likely these athletes will also move into the village tomorrow.

The New Zealand lawn bowls team will be the first New Zealand athletes to arrive in Delhi, just after midnight on Wednesday morning.