By Jeff Hampton
The rugby sevens team for the Delhi Commonwealth Games will be announced tomorrow, but many supporters have yet to decide whether it's worth the risk travelling to see sport in such a volatile part of the world.
Tickets are selling for as little as $8, but fans are polarised on whether they'll go.
Heptathlete Rebecca Wardell is shrugging off security fears over the games, and putting her faith in the New Zealand Olympic Committee advisers.
"I pretty much said if NZOC lets us go, I'll go," she says. "Didn't want to miss out on the Commonwealth Games."
Her parents will be there too. Father Peter was chef de mission at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
"They're going to come to Delhi and support me, they're not worried," says Wardell. "As I said before it's a bit of a risk, but they're keen to come along and support so that's cool."
Not everyone's as keen. The family of Silver Ferns netball captain Casey Williams is staying at home.
"The team'll be there obviously," says Williams. "My family wanted to come but they've made a personal choice not to come. They could have loved the experience, but I think that's their own choice."
Besides sending security specialists to Delhi, the Government's providing travel advice on its website safetravel.govt.nz. It says parts of India are extremely risky. Delhi is classified as "some risk", and Kiwis are strongly advised to avoid market areas.
In April in Bangalore, two crude bombs went off outside an IPL cricket match injuring 14 people. Black Caps vice captain Ross Taylor was playing.
It's still under investigation, but among the groups considered threats are al-Qaeda and at least two Indian separatist groups.
In spite of the problems, New Zealand's official ticket agent Malcolm Beattie says there's plenty of interest, most of it from the families of those in the team.
He says the tickets are real bargains - $8 to the rugby sevens and $33 for the track and field finals - but it's worth spending more on accommodation for peace of mind.
"I don't think you'd want to be going over there and trying to find somewhere to sleep in a backpackers place," says Mr Beattie. "If you're going to India you certainly need to be in a hotel that provides a form of security."
Just how good that security is is being closely watched by New Zealand officials and their security experts. They're studying an athletics event in Delhi later this week to see if security is as good as promised.
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