Commonwealth Games in New Delhi: Indian boxer floored by bed collapse

Indian boxer Akhil Kumar has been floored by a collapsing bed at the athletes’ village in the latest blow to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. The Games, which open on October 3, have been rocked by dirty and unfinished accommodation, an outbreak of dengue fever, and the collapse of a footbridge under construction near the main stadium that injured 27 workers. Now Kumar, a diminutive bantamweight who fights in the 56kg category, has ended up on the canvas in his room in the much-criticised village. “I sat down on my bed to rest but suddenly it gave way,” he told reporters after the incident on Saturday. “After that I noticed that part of it has no plywood. “It was very disappointing after enduring a long journey. The athletes are at least entitled to a decent place to rest.” Kumar, 29, is one of India’s best gold medal hopes after winning the 54kg category at the Melbourne Games in 2006. The showpiece athletes’ village, set on the banks of the main river in the Indian capital, has come under intense criticism with many apartments not yet completed and poor standards of cleanliness. Some nations delayed the departure of their athletes or checked into hotels when they first arrived in Delhi. Pictures released to the media showed dirty, leaking toilets, exposed wiring, rubble and stained sinks as well as cracked pavements, water-logging and mess from stray dogs.