Netball in doubt over security, organisation row

NEW DELHI, Oct 2 (AFP) - A top Commonwealth Games netball official complained Saturday that referees have been left without uniforms or money for food in a row threatening to derail the tournament.

Another high-ranking official reportedly warned fixtures will not go ahead if a raft of security, transport and organisational problems are not addressed by midnight on Sunday.

Tournament referee Lindy Murphy told AFP: "Security has become so tight that we can't get in items such as pens, mobile phones, coins, and today my asthma pump was nearly taken off me."

Tens of thousands of paramilitary troops and police have been deployed in New Delhi carrying out armed foot patrols and manning bunkers amid a huge security operation for the Games. All event facilities are surrounded by high walls and barbed wire fences, while security officials stop and search vehicles at strategic locations across the city. Murphy, netball's technical delegate to the Games, said buses were arriving late to pick up match officials from their hotels and were getting lost on their way to the Thyagaraj Sports Complex or not turning up at all.

"Technical official uniforms are not ready and at this point in time we have no uniforms to officiate in," she said.

"Our technical officials have also not been given a per diem (allowance), so they have no money for meals." Murphy, an Australian, said volunteers and other workers were also having trouble getting into the stadium.

Another netball official told the New Zealand Press Association that the whole event, due to start Monday, was under threat.

"We've threatened a whole lot of things and if we don't get them by midnight tomorrow the competition won't be starting on Monday," said the official, who was not named.