The Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) maintained its stance of competing in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next month despite the worrying reports emerging from the Indian capital yesterday.

Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell and chief executive Mike Hooper, currently touring the various sites for the October 3-14 Games, provided stinging criticism to the Athletes’ Village, describing the place as ‘filthy’ and in a desperate need of a clean-up on the same day a footbridge at the National Stadium collapsed.

The MOC will have a group of 22 athletes for the Games and the contingent will be under the supervision of chef-de-mission Julian Pace Bonello.

Contacted by The Times yesterday, Pace Bonello said the MOC was aware of the worrying developments in New Delhi.

He said they were in constant contact with top officials from the Commonwealth Federation who are monitoring the situation.

“The deadlines in New Delhi have not been observed fully, we know. There’s work to do but the MOC did not change any of its plans so far,” Pace Bonello said.

“Top officials from the Commonwealth Games Federation are already there for more inspections. I, personally, have been in touch with chief executive Mike Hooper and at the moment there has been no advice to pull out. Obviously, we shall continue to stay alert but our preparations for these Games will go on.”

Pace Bonello leaves for India on September 28 and the first group of MOC athletes are due to arrive on October 1 when the lawn bowls team fly to New Delhi from Australia.

Malta will be competing in six sport, namely athletics, shooting, squash, weightlifting, lawn bowls and wrestling.

In Melbourne 2006, William Chetcuti won bronze in double trap and Rebecca Madyson took silver in trap shooting.