NEW DELHI - Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell said an independent review panel will be formed to monitor the progress of the 2010 Delhi Games preparations.

Fennell said he was satisfied by the progress since he raised his voice over the slow pace of work last month, but in the same breath added that there still remained a lot of “areas of concerns”.

“CGF will form a high-level technical review panel. The panel will comprise of a chairman and other members will be experts of their respective fields. The panel will come and meet every month. It will monitor and assist in the evaluation of all areas that we feel need attention,” Fennell said.

“The panel will be empowered to call in other technical experts and to meet Commonwealth Games representatives.”

“The panel will establish timeline and will then report openly at the end of each meeting with transparency,” he added.

Fennell also said the review panel is not the only answer and the coordination commission will continue to visit Delhi and by that time the Organising Committee should address all the key areas.

“The review committee will start operating from January because we have to select the members with due care.”

“Another very important meeting of chefs de mission will take place. They will be checking venues and other things so that they can prepare the teams.”

Fennell, who was critical of the preparation of the Games last month, said he was happy to see the progress made in such a short period.

“I said last month that particular concerns remain on all operations at procurement level.”

“Since I have raised the matter, the international experts have been appointed in the last few weeks. There will be more experts who will be appointed in the coming weeks, related to ticketing, village administration, spectators, support and logistic operations.”

“This is a big step forward and I appreciate the action that has followed the letter to the OC. This should be maintained without any hitch in the coming months.”

Fennell said that two years ago he had told the OC that there was not much time left.

“With one year to go, I say time is your enemy, but together we can defeat it and I emphasise we can do it. Every single day is critical and every hour vital. It is in the spirit of togetherness that we will move forward hand in hand to the success of the Games.”

“In the past few days we have embarked in a comprehensive review at different level and had meetings with OC, sports minister who met on behalf of the Prime Minister, and general assembly and executive board meeting,” Fennell said.

The delegates were given an opportunity to visit venues and get a first hand report of the status.

“We feel that the venues will be ready in time. The deadlines for the venues have already been reset and they cannot afford any more slippage. It can be done.”

“We realised while visiting the venues and that the Games will leave an enormous legacy behind.”

“We are also happy that the government has placed security as a high priority. i am pleased that good progress has been made on that front and this will remain a high priority as security is constantly changing.”

“I have no doubt there can still be great Games.”