Organisers of next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi have dismissed a report that England could pull out due to security concerns.
A British newspaper published a report yesterday quoting unnamed government sources saying England might boycott the October 3-14 Games because of fears for the safety of their athletes.
However, organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said the report was well wide of the mark.
"England have said the report is baseless," Indian Olympic association chief Kalmadi told Reuters.
"We have not received any official intimation to this effect... the statement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has emphasised that it has not advised any of its teams not to compete in next year's Commonwealth Games on security grounds," he later said in a statement.
"The Security Commanders meeting was held at the Home Ministry recently and all Commonwealth Games Associations were satisfied with the security arrangements outlined for the Games."
Kalmadi also said that Mike Fennell, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, had this month praised the preparations of Delhi Police in ensuring security at the Games.
India formed a security liaison group due to heightened safety fears over travelling to New Delhi for the competition.
Gunmen ambushed the Sri Lanka cricket team bus in Lahore, Pakistan in March, raising concerns that sport could become a target in the region.
England pulled out of the world badminton championships in India in August citing a "specific terrorist threat". However, the tournament went ahead smoothly and the British sports minister later expressed regret to his Indian counterpart.
Commonwealth Games England chief executive Ann Hogbin said that the team was all set to travel to India for the Games.
"Our current and strong intention is to field a team for the Games in Delhi next year," she said.
"Of course, we have a duty of care to the athletes and other team members which we take very seriously.
"Despite having been given extensive briefings from relevant authorities we have not received any indication that we should not participate in the Games and we will continue to work hard to put in place the best possible arrangements for our team."