I’ve got fire in my belly for Delhi!

ENGLAND hockey star Nicola White: determined to go to Delhi

Nicola defiant over threat to games

ENGLAND hockey star Nicola White has played down security fears at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Nicola (22), a former Oldham Hulme Grammar School pupil, is part of the 16-woman squad flying out to India on Sunday.

The build-up to the competition has been overshadowed by gunmen firing at a tourist bus outside a mosque, after which a car bomb exploded close by, the collapse of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium bridge and a ceiling collapsing at the weghtlifting venue.

Some athletes and their representative bodies expressed fears back in 2008 following the terror attacks in Mumbai.

But Nicola, who played for Saddleworth Ladies, but is now based in Slough, believes recent incidents are meant to scare people before the start of the tournament, while others have no connection whatsoever.

She said: “I am not concerned about my safety, I am looking forward to competing in my first Commonwealth Games for England.

“We are constantly updated by security staff who assure us we are in safe hands, and that if anything changes we will be informed.

“The way I see it, London is going to host the 2012 Olympics.

“There are stabbings and shootings there almost every day which have nothing at all to do with organised sports.

“But when the Olympics start, every crime is going to be magnified and linked to the competition.

“It doesn’t mean the visiting athletes are going to be any more at risk in London.

“As far as I am concerned, the same applies to our trip to Delhi.

“We know about everything that is going on and until we are advised otherwise, the squad wants to concentrate on enjoying the experience.”

The Commonwealth Games get under way on October 3, with England’s first game — against Wales — taking place 24 hours later.