Maister predicts 'superb' Commonwealth Games

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New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) secretary-general Barry Maister has predicted that New Delhi will host a "superb" Commonwealth Games.

Maister, who was speaking at the announcement today of the Silver Ferns squad for the Games' netball tournament, said that would not have been the view a couple of years ago.

But the NZOC's latest site visit last month, which included Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken in the party, confirmed the turnaround for the Games starting on October 3.

"If we went back two years ago, we looked at Delhi and thought, 'It's just not possible, there's no way this city can be ready for a Games'," he said.

"We've all come away last month knowing that it's going to happen and it's going to be superb."

Maister said the venues would be up to the very best international standards and the test events had so far proceeded well.

He said security would continue to remain a focus and the NZOC was comfortable and confident about arrangements so far.

"But we are ever vigilant and very mindful of the fact that it is an ongoing work in progress, which we are monitoring very closely."

Maister said New Zealand would have a team of about 300 in New Delhi, of which about 197 would be competitors and the rest support crew.

- NZPA