Silver Ferns coach relaxed about Delhi Games

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GETTING ON WITH IT: Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken is getting on with life and has no worries about security issues surrounding the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

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Silver Ferns netball coach Ruth Aitken says she has no worries about security issues in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games, but can understand some of her players not wanting to have family members there.

Aitken, in Auckland with her extended squad for their first training camp of the year, said she was ready to head to India in October without security concerns adding to her baggage, even if the threat of terrorism seems set to loom large over the event.

And though several Silver Ferns have said they have asked family member not to travel to Delhi for the Games – skipper Casey Williams the latest to join that brigade – Aitken confirmed that her husband would be attending the event independently.

"Everyone's different, and that's the reality," Aitken said today. "It's not an easy place to travel to but 26,000 New Zealanders go there every year, so a lot of people choose to go there and love it.

"Our girls worry a lot about their extended families whenever they travel and even the fact you won't be able to go out for coffees and things like that is quite different.

"But my husband is going to Delhi really and coming to an occasional netball game and I won't care if I don't see him and he won't care either. For the girls it is different. And if they feel better knowing their family is at home then that's fine."

Aitken visited Delhi with New Zealand Games officials in June and said she did not feel any imminent danger then.

"We went out and about, and we did not feel [threatened]. It's actually just dingbats and random people, and I guess any big sporting occasion attracts odd people.

"But you can't go anywhere in the world now. We went to the UK after one of the bombings in the tube ...  it's just the world. It's sad but you take really good care of things and get on with your life as far as I'm concerned."

Aitken also had no worries about facilities for the Games, the coach confident that both the athletes' village and competition arena would be up to standard.

"The netball stadium is fantastic, world-class. The village will be supposedly six stars - the extremes in India are staggering. I gather they're going through a huge beautification process at the moment so they will have swept a lot of things under the carpet.

"But as a culture there's a vibrancy, and I felt there is a real dignity with the Indian people despite the poverty. I just think we don't get many opportunities - normally it's Australia, the UK and Jamaica, and that's our lot.

"This is a special event and to be part of that wider team is inspirational. The girls love it."

Recalled Silver Fern and new mum, Daneka Wipiiti said she had no issues with going to Delhi either, though she didn't have to ponder the problem of family attending.

"I'm looking forward to it if I get the opportunity," Wipiiti who is a strong chance to make Aitken's squad of 12 to be announced on Friday, said. "There were obviously a few [anxieties] at the start with all the craziness going on.

"But we've got great management and they obviously won't put us in any danger. Who can say they've been to India for a Commonwealth Games?

"But my family will be back here changing nappies, and doing everything else that has to be done. They'll send me over there with a duty free shopping list and watch it on TV."

- © Fairfax NZ News