Media Release from Pune - 9th October 2008

Paul Huddlestone, General Team Manager is pleased to report the safe arrival of the Jersey Team in Pune, India. The trip was long and tiring but the smooth transition and warm welcome in Mumbai airport were greatly appreciated.

Paul, who had arrived two days earlier, has had an arduous time trying to establish the Jersey presence in the village, due to its incomplete state. On his arrival, the village resembled a building site. He and his wife were two of the first occupants of the new Games Hotel. Officials from other teams, who had arrived earlier had been unable to occupy the hotel as it was not ready. Frantic activity has increased over the ensuing days in order to get everything up and running for the Opening Ceremony on Sunday 12th October. Paul has been unable to communicate with the outside world until today, as there have been no internet or telephone connections within the site.

Despite these problems, the local volunteers have all been extremely friendly and helpful, even though they cannot always solve the problems. The Organising Committee has been overwhelmed by many issues and problems that have been raised by the Team Managers and it has been inadequately prepared for the enormity of the task. Federation Officials have now arrived and are focusing attention on the critical matters that need to be urgently addressed in order of priority. Each day has seen significant progress and it is expected that the essential elements will be completed by Sunday.

During the first couple of days everyone was hampered by violent thunderstorms and torrential rain which turned the Games Village into a mud bath. The weather is unusually hot, wet, and humid for October and completely the opposite of that which we had been informed would be the case at the time of the Games. The forecast for the time of competition next week is for much drier weather, so it is hoped that the weather will not then be such a significant factor.
There is a welcome ceremony for all countries present due on Saturday evening with the Opening Ceremony following on Sunday. Hundreds of local schoolchildren have been observed in the main Athletics stadium practising their routine for the Opening Ceremony, which promises to be a grand occasion. The team will continue to acclimatise over the next few days and hope to remain in good health in preparation for their forthcoming competition.
There is great excitement building within the complex as the teams have all been arriving within the last 24 hours. Team Jersey is extremely happy to be housed in the main Village hotel on the same floor as Team Jamaica and part of Team England. The athletes have now commenced training and full of praise for the competition arenas, which are of a world class standard.

All members of Team Jersey are most grateful to Sanne Trust for their sponsorship and to ESC for its grant to allow them to attend the Games and for the send off at Jersey airport.