It's not my fault - Games boss

Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper says he did all he could in the lead-up to the Delhi games, and the problems stem from delays by Indian agencies and government.

Mr Hooper said the uncertainty surrounding the games, which are due to start in about a week, was the result of a set of unfortunate circumstances.

He said he had been working hard with the organising committee to get things done.

"We're at the hands and the mercy of, effectively, the Government of India, the Delhi Government, the agencies responsible for delivery of the venues," he told TVNZ's Q&A programme.

Those groups had consistently failed to meet deadlines, Mr Hooper, a New Zealander, said.

"Renewed deadlines came and went. New reasons for delays kept coming up. Absolutely exasperation from our perspective," he said.

The focus must now be on getting as much done as possible in preparation for the games, he said.

That was helped by input from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had called in senior ministers to push things along.

"We are seeing changes as a consequence," Mr Hooper said.

- NZPA