James Willstrop enjoying a head massage in Delhi

By James Willstrop England squash player ranked sixth in world; second seed in Delhi

Despite so many negative reports over the last few weeks, our squash team's presence in Delhi had never been in much doubt.

In the lead-up, the attention increased and there were more interviews asking the same questions: Will you go? Will it be safe? Are you ready for the snakes?

It would have been a major decision to let a year's preparation go to waste. If terrorism was the issue then - according to the official travel advice given - London is officially as dangerous.

If it was for fear of contracting dengue fever or having a bridge collapse on your head then fair enough but unless the team hierarchy deemed the place uninhabitable and dangerous and decided wouldn't themselves be going, we were always going to take the plunge.

Having arrived here last week, it is nowhere near as disastrous as it once appeared or was initially portrayed.

The village is mostly well appointed and is running smoothly though it could be said it has a slightly unfinished feel to it: rickety tiles on ersatz yellow brick paths leading to apartments, limited internet access, and random aberrations in the apartments are a few of the problems.

There is no doubting our readiness and excitement

It's a shame that these seemingly minor things aren't in place when the important things so resoundingly are.

The worst episode we have experienced to date was on Friday evening when one of the apartments had to be cleared and people disturbed at 1am because of drainage issues, leading one to wonder how such things can be overlooked.

I had to move rooms, as did one or two others, and I was thankful this had happened before the matches had begun.

Perhaps this is not the standard expected at a Commonwealth Games, but it is all new territory for the workforce and organising committee; it is India's first time staging a major games, and so there is a greater challenge.

The food hall is huge and always available, the squash venue is exceptional, and if you need a head massage, to post a letter or buy a phone charger you may, all within the confines of the village. There's even a village disco for the more convivial participants.

Mosquitoes are abundant at night, therefore it is important to walk about lathered in repellent; the transport up to now has been slightly disorganised but has never yet failed us.

Our first round matches begin on Monday. In the men's event, both Nick Matthew and I have byes through to the last 32, while Peter Barker and Daryl Selby - both representing their beloved Essex - have matches in the round of 64. From then it is a straight knockout draw.

The four of us top the seedings in the event so it's clear the expectations are high.

The girls have the second, third, fifth and 10th seeds in Jenny Duncalf, Alison Waters, Laura Massaro and Sarah Kippax, so are similarly strong.

There is one match every day through to the medal matches on Friday.

Tournaments on the PSA world tour are played in the same format, with brutal matches played on back-to-back days. There is no doubting our readiness and excitement for the next week.

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