From correspondents in Delhi, India, 09:46 PM IST

New Delhi - The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Wednesday praised Maharashtra's metropolis Pune for its capability and infrastructure facilities to host the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.

'One of the major purposes of our visit to India was to review the preparations in Pune and we are quite satisfied with the capability and infrastructure of the city to host the Games,' CGF president Michael Fennell told reporters here.

'They have excellent venues for hosting a youth event. We have also met the chief minister of Maharashtra and he expressed total commitment to host the Games,' Fennel said.

He said although Delhi was to host the third Commonwealth Youth Games in October 2008, Pune had been chosen to host the event so that 2010 Commonwealth Games preparations were not disturbed.

CGF vice president H.R.H. Tunku Imran and its CEO Mike Hooper are also in India with Fennell.

Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Association and chairman of the commonwealth games organising committee, said all efforts would be made to make the event successful.

Around 1,200 athletes from 71 countries will participate in the event that will have nine games, including three new disciplines - swimming, table tennis and wrestling.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)