"After the CGF Sports Committee meeting, we had an evaluation on events that took place in Melbourne," said Michael Fennell, president of the CGF. "There were recommendations that were brought to the executive board meeting on the numbers of sport to be offered in future Commonwealth Games be restricted to 17. And the recommendation was approved.

"This recommendation is done as we had to find a way that we can fully sanction the game so that they do not explore beyond the capabilities of the host nation."

He said 10 out of the 17 sports to be offered by the host country have to be the core sports which have been agreed upon by the CGF executive board members.

"This means that any country that will host the Games have to offer the 10 core sports with additional seven sports they choose. We have seen an increase in the number of sports in previous editions...from six in 1930 to 16 in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in March," said Fennell.

The 10 core sports restricted by the CGF which include four team sports are athletics, aquatics, boxing, badminton, squash, weightlifting, lawn bowls, netball, rugby seven's and hockey.

On the 2010 Commonwealth Games host New Delhi appealling to the CGF to include archery, tennis and snooker and billiard, Fennell said the CGF Board have approved only archery and tennis.

The sports to be offered in New Delhi are aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby seven's, shooting, squash, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling and events for athletes with disability.

Fennell said progress on the New Delhi Commonwealth Games was also discussed at the meeting.

"The New Delhi Commonwealth Games organising committee have presented their report. The reports concentrate on a few key issues like the development of the venues...some of the venues are currently being rehabilitated and modernised, other venues have to start from scratch and the report also focus on the building of the Games Village.

"We also express our concern on development of the New Delhi City. We look very carefully on the city's plan, especially to improve supply of electricity and water as well as road and development of their airport.

"I'm satisfied the plan will be in place before the Games in 2010."