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The head of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) believes there are "enormous" challenges facing the event and urged New Delhi organisers Friday to hire a slew of foreign experts to ensure the Games are a success.

CGF President Mike Fennell, speaking ahead of the one-year countdown for the October 3-14 2010 Games, said that changes must be made immediately with particular emphasis on hiring staff with the necessary experience.

Fennell had written to organisers last month expressing concern at their reluctance to hire foreign experts and the tardy progress of work. He also demanded an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to help "revive" the games.

"The challenges now facing the Games are enormous," he said in a statement ahead of the CGF general assembly to be held in New Delhi from October 8.

"We still have a year to go, and it is possible to deliver a successful Games. However, to achieve this there will have to be a renewed focus by management across the operations of the organising committee. "Immediate changes will be required and, in particular, close attention to the many issues raised by the CGF's Coordination Commission."

Fennell said personnel with Games experience must be appointed in management, planning and operational roles including transportation, technology, ticketing and logistics.

While Fennell praised the government for its backing of the Games he targeted the organising committee, made up mostly of national sports federation chiefs.

Organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi has insisted his team had sufficient experience but India has not hosted a major event since the 1982 Asian Games.

(Source: Reuters)